Boonville in Cooper County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Water Highway

Santa Fe National Historic Trail

Photographed By Jason Voigt, May 14, 2024

1. Water Highway Marker

Inscription. Rivers were once America's super highways. Westbound riverboats churned by here, hauling American goods - cloth, hardware, paper, mirrors - from St. Louis to the frontier town of (Old) Franklin, once located across the river near the railroad bridge. Traders then coaxed heavily laden mule-drawn wagons over the Santa Fe Trail, journeying for 6 to 7 weeks. Wool, silver coins, and mules were hauled from Mexico. These items, along with harvests from local farmlands, and salt from local mineral springs, were loaded onto riverboats gliding downstream. The area boomed, along with the Santa Fe trade.

But the Missouri River floods. In 1825, floodwaters nearly destroyed Old Franklin. By 1828, the major riverboat landing serving the Santa Fe trade moved upstream to a site near Independence, Missouri, but many traders continued to leave from central Missouri. Boonville traders such as William Harley became commissioning and forwarding agents, hauling westbound goods from St. Louis to the Santa Fe trailhead.

Erected by City of Boonville, Harley Park and National Park Service.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles

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• Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Santa Fe Trail series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1825.

Location. 38° 58.421′ N, 92° 45.665′ W. Marker is in Boonville, Missouri, in Cooper County. Marker is on Harley Lane west of Parkway Drive, on the right when traveling west. Marker is located at the Lover's Leap section at Harley Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 20044 Pearre Ln, Boonville MO 65233, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Boone's Lick Country (here, next to this marker); The End of the Line (approx. 0.6 miles away); Boonville Depot (approx. 0.6 miles away); "Caboose #134" (approx. 0.6 miles away); Boonville to New Franklin (approx. 0.6 miles away); Boonville to Pilot Grove (approx. 0.6 miles away); History of Boonville (approx. 0.6 miles away); From Boone's Lick to Boonslick (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Boonville.

Photographed By Jason Voigt, May 14, 2024

2. Water Highway Marker

Marker is on the right, overlooking the Missouri River at Lovers Leap

Credits. This page was last revised on May 25, 2024. It was originally submitted on May 25, 2024, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 72 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 25, 2024, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.