Near Wright in Ford County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

The Road to Santa Fe

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, April 17, 2012

1. The Road to Santa Fe Marker

Inscription. The Santa Fe trail, extending 750 miles from the Kansas City area to the old Spanish settlement of Santa Fe, was the great overland trade route of the 1820's to 1870s. Its commercial use began in 1821, when William Becknell headed west with a pack train from Franklin, Mo. For more than 500 miles the road lay in Kansas, angling southwest past such historic landmarks as Council Grove and Pawnee Rock.
Between present Larned and Fort Dodge, there were two routes. One, keeping to the ridges and higher ground, was used in wet weather. The other, favored during dry spells, lay along the bottom lands near the Arkansas river.
West of this marker the trail divided again. One road, following the north bank of the Arkansas, led to Bent's Fort in Colorado and then dropped south to Santa Fe. A second route crossed the river at several palaces between here and the Lakin vicinity. This was the famed cut-off to the Cimarron river which continued through southwest Kansas past Wagon Bed Springs and Point of Rocks. Although it was shorter, lack of water and the constant threat of Indian attack made it extremely dangerous.

Erected by Kansas

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Historical Society and State Highway Commission. (Marker Number 74.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Kansas Historical Society, and the Santa Fe Trail series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1821.

Location. 37° 46.774′ N, 99° 54.29′ W. Marker is near Wright, Kansas, in Ford County. It can be reached from the intersection of U.S. 56 and U.S. 283. Marker is in roadside park on northwest corner of crossroads. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Wright KS 67882, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest,

in the Corn Belt,

on the prairies,

on the Great Plains,

on the Southern Plains,

on the High Plains,

and on the Santa Fe Trail Corridor.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Comanchería,

the Dust Bowl,

the Louisiana Purchase,

and the Republic of Texas.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker,

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, April 17, 2012

2. The Road to Santa Fe Marker

measured as the crow flies: Cemetery (approx. 3.6 miles away); Fort Dodge (approx. 3.6 miles away); Sutler Store (approx. 3.6 miles away); a different marker also named Fort Dodge (approx. 3.7 miles away); Commanding Officer's Quarters (approx. 3.7 miles away); Wagnor Memorial Fountain (approx. 3.7 miles away); Hospital (approx. 3.7 miles away); Enlisted Men's Barracks (approx. 3.8 miles away).

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on May 11, 2012, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,049 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 11, 2012, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.