Santa Fe Trail

US trade route 1821–80 from Independence, Missouri, to Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Established by trader William Becknell, the trail passed through Raton Pass and between tributaries of the Kansas and Arkansas rivers. Later, to allow the passage of wheeled wagons, Becknell turned south and headed across the Cimarron Desert. This reduced the journey by 160 km/100 mi but increased the hardship and danger of Indian attack. The trade along the trail expanded to nearly 5,000 wagons carrying millions of dollars' worth of goods each year. It was rendered obsolete in 1880 when railway lines were extended to Santa Fe.