Having followed the Santa Fe Trail many times over the past seven years as I travel to and from New Mexico, the trip in 2021 was especially special as it was the 200th Anniversary of the Trail, the first international commercial highway. The trail starts in old Franklin, MO, not Independence, MO, as I originally thought. The 900 plus mile trail ends in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Once Spain succeeded, and Mexico was free to trade, the trail opened up.
Table of Contents
South Howard County Historical Museum
My first stop was the South Howard County Historical Museum, operated by the South Howard County Historical Society. The museum is located in the historic downtown district of New Franklin, MO, at 110 E. Broadway. The museum is open Saturday and Sunday from 1-4:00 p.m.
Spending just one hour in the museum with Treasurer Jacque Schaller, South Howard County Historical Society, and multimedia storyteller Sarah Tucker Poff and her husband, Alec Poff, left me eager to learn more about the Santa Fe Trail. Realizing that I should have arrived earlier in the day, I mentally made plans for a return trip and to allocate more time for exploring.
Storyteller, Sarah Tucker Poff
My hostess Sarah Tucker Poff is a retired school teacher, a historian, and a talented storyteller. Poff is extremely knowledgeable about the Santa Fe Trail, and what she does not know, she has the resources to find the answer. In the picture below, Poff is sitting on ‘The Rock,’ which acknowledges the Santa Fe Trail according to www.missouri2021.org. The rock also recognizes three other trails – Lewis & Clank, Boone’s Lick Road, and Katy Trail. The rock was placed in the middle of the street by the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) in 1909.
Clink Clink
What was traded on the trail? It was easy to figured out the necessities, but was surprised when Jacque mention the Missouri Mules. The Spanish-bred mules were brought back to Missouri from Santa Fe. The sale/trade of the mules were profitable for the traders. A couple of interesting facts about the Missouri Mules. The mules were used in WWI and WWII because of their hardy stature and they are Missouri’s state animal.
“The Rock”
Jacque shared a familiar story illustrating the success of the Santa Fe Trail. “When Becknell rode into old Franklin, he opened his saddlebags filled with coins, and silver rolled into the streets. They had changed $300 worth of trade goods into $6000 of silver coins. Becknell made his second trip in 1822, taking wagons with $3000 of trade goods and returning home with $91,000 of silver. The third trip was made in 1824, taking $30,000 of goods, returning with $180,000 of silver and $10,000 worth of fur pelts.”
New Franklin
There are many exhibits in the museum that tell the story of Franklin and New Franklin. The following photos illustrate a few of the exhibits, just enough to get you excited to visit and learn more about the history of the Santa Fe Trail. I left wanting to learn about the other three trails, the river and railroad era, the Native American Indians, and the settlers that called this region home.
The photo below hangs in the museum, giving a brief synopsis of the demise of old Franklin and New Franklin’s beginnings.
Blacksmith exhibit
Jacque emphasized the importance of the blacksmiths on the Santa Fe Trail.
Country Schools
The rural schools in Howard County. Included in the exhibit is a map showing the location of the schools, plus photographs of all the schools. Jacque noted, “Only a handful of schools are left.”
Missouri River
Time for a geography lesson. The Missouri River cuts through the Missouri landscape, from west to east, before dumping into the Mississippi River. Imagine crossing the river in the early 1800s.
The Santa Fe Trail was the first international commercial highway in the country, then came river travel. The first trip on the Missouri River was in 1826. Jacque explained that all the replicates of the riverboats were made by a local man who has since passed away.
Franklin: Mother of the Santa Fe Trail
On Highway 5, we stopped at Franklin: Mother of the Santa Fe Trail monument as we headed out of town. The monument honors William Becknell, Father of the Santa Fe Trail; Josiah Gregg, a doctor who traveled the Santa Fe Trail; Kit Carson, the frontier legend; Ezekiel Williams, Godfather of the Santa Fe Trail; Millie Cooper, a local legend; and George Caleb Bingham, the “Missouri Artist,” who all called “old” Franklin home. (www.missouri2021.org)
Flying the red, white, and blue
The visit to New Franklin, MO, left me with more questions than answers. As a want-a-be historian, travel blogger, and reporter, that is good.
I can’t wait to hear more stories about the trail.
Next stop, Independence, MO.