Sante Fe Trail Driving Tour
Sante Fe Trail Tour
From 1821 to 1880, the Santa Fe Trail, nicknamed the “Great Prairie Highway,” served as an important trade route spanning approximately 900 miles from western Missouri to Santa Fe, New Mexico. Lexington served as a major trail hub, or outfitting point, along the route, selling goods such as tinware, tobacco, whiskey and beeswax.
Santa Fe Trails Association
Visit the official Santa Fe Trails Association website for complete information on interactive trail maps, photos and the trail history.
The Great Prairie Highway with the National Park Service.
You can almost hear the whoops and cries of "All's set!" as trail hands hitched their oxen to freight wagons carrying cargo between western Missouri and Santa Fe, New Mexico. Follow the Santa Fe National Historic Trail through five states and you'll find adventure and evidence of past travelers who made this remarkable trip before you!
Santa Fe Trail Southern Route Driving Tour
Head south through town and visit the historic Machphela Cemetery where early settlers are buried. Then continue south to follow the original Osage Trace believed to be the most common route of those traveling the Santa Fe Trail.
Go South!
According to Lexington Historian, the late Roger Slusher, most Santa Fe traffic went South of Lexington, which is called the "highland route." Head back to 20th and South Street to make the journey.
The Junction
Turn left from 20th Street onto Business Highway 13 and go south of town to the junction of O. Continue straight until you reach County Farm Road. Turn right and follow this road until it meets 24 Highway. Turn right to head back to Lexington.
Go Even Farther South
You can continue south on O to the turnoff at Lexington Road. Then turn right onto Howe Road and travel to 24 Highway, which is believed to be the original trail into Fort Osage.
Machpelah Cememtery
As you travel down 20th Street, you'll pass the historic Machpelah Cemetery. The first burial there was in 1839. In 1849, William Bradford Waddell donated his family’s cemetery, along with other nearby land, to form Machpelah. Waddell is better known as the co-founder of the Pony Express and shipped goods across the United States.
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