Near Grenville in Union County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)
The Santa Fe Trail
Santa Fe Trail National Scenic Byway
Photographed By Mark Hilton, September 15, 2015
1. The Santa Fe Trail Marker
Inscription.
The Santa Fe Trail. Santa Fe Trail National Scenic Byway. Stretching 900 miles from Franklin, Missouri to Santa Fe, New Mexico, the Santa Fe Trail was one of the most important North American trade routes of the nineteenth century. Begun in 1821, it was in use for 60 years until the arrival of the railroad. It was a hardy traveler who attempted the journey. Wagon trains up to 500 wagons long traversed the trail through blizzards, stampedes, dust storms, fires, disease, and Indian attacks. And often they lacked for water. , Here, near two landmarks of the trail, Round Mound and Rabbit Ears, wagon trains camped for the night. William Becknell, the trader who inaugurated the Santa Fe Trail in 1821, came this way on his return trip east while forging the smoother Cimarron Route across the plains., Two-way Street , Unlike the great emigrant trails to the north, the Santa Fe Trail ran both ways, with traders from Mexico, or returning U.S. traders, carrying Mexican silver, gold, mules, buffalo and beaver pelts to waiting markets in Missouri., "As the caravans passed under the northern base of the Round Mound, it presented a very fine and imposing spectacle to those who were upon its summit. The wagons marched slowly in four parallel columns . . . .The unceasing 'crack, crack,' of the wagoners' whips, resembling the frequent reports of distant guns." , Trader Josiah Gregg, in his chronicle of trail travel, Commerce of the Prairies, 1844
Stretching 900 miles from Franklin, Missouri to Santa Fe, New Mexico, the Santa Fe Trail was one of the most important North American trade routes of the nineteenth century. Begun in 1821, it was in use for 60 years until the arrival of the railroad. It was a hardy traveler who attempted the journey. Wagon trains up to 500 wagons long traversed the trail through blizzards, stampedes, dust storms, fires, disease, and Indian attacks. And often they lacked for water.
Here, near two landmarks of the trail, Round Mound and Rabbit Ears, wagon trains camped for the night. William Becknell, the trader who inaugurated the Santa Fe Trail in 1821, came this way on his return trip east while forging the smoother Cimarron Route across the plains.
Two-way Street
Unlike the great emigrant trails to the north, the Santa Fe Trail ran both ways, with traders from Mexico, or returning U.S. traders, carrying Mexican silver, gold, mules, buffalo and beaver pelts to waiting markets in Missouri.
"As the caravans passed under the northern base of the Round Mound, it presented a very fine and imposing spectacle to those who were upon its summit. The wagons marched slowly in four parallel columns . . . .The unceasing 'crack, crack,' of the wagoners' whips, resembling the frequent reports of distant guns."
Trader
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Josiah Gregg, in his chronicle of trail travel, Commerce of the Prairies, 1844
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Santa Fe Trail series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1821.
Location. 36° 33.992′ N, 103° 34.019′ W. Marker is near Grenville, New Mexico, in Union County. Marker is on U.S. 64, 0.3 miles south of 1st Street (Road 453), on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Grenville NM 88424, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 1 other marker is within walking distance of this marker. Santa-Fe Trail (here, next to this marker).
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.
the Federal Highway Administration and the New Mexico Department of Tourism.
4. Santa-Fe Trail Map in New Mexico
Marker is located near the trail shown to the right of map.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on September 19, 2015, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 789 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 19, 2015, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.