by Jessica Hughes
Wagon: A wagon reminiscent of those used on the trail. Located at Boggsville Historic Site. Photo by Jessica Hughes
The Santa Fe Trail was an overland two-way trade route that connected Franklin, Missouri, with Santa Fe, New Mexico. The portion of the trail that ran through Colorado was called the Mountain Branch section. This year marks the bicentennial of the Santa Fe Trail that ran through Colorado between 1821 and 1890. For the anniversary, there are several events and things to do to help commemorate this historic occasion.
Hosted by National Park Service partners and the Santa Fe Trail 200 organization, the bicentennial celebration will feature more than 40 in-person and virtual events throughout the length of the trail, from Missouri to New Mexico, with several planned in Colorado.
Bent’s Old Fort In La Junta
Bent’s Old Fort: Looking inside Bent’s Old Fort near La Junta. Photo credit: Jessica Hughes
The keystone event for the 200-year celebration of the Santa Fe Trail will be held in La Junta at Bent’s Old Fort. This historic fort was an important stopping point along the trail where travelers came to rest and resupply. To highlight the fort’s significant role it played along the trail, they will be hosting the Santa Fe Trail Symposium, September 23-26, 2021.
Throughout the weekend, the event will showcase speakers, entertainment, and tours. Visitors can also participate in historian-narrated bus tours and living history events, including re-enactors at Bent’s Old Fort. Symposium activities are also planned at the Koshare Indian Museum, Otero Junior College, and the Otero County Museum.
Visit 2021sfts.com to view the entire schedule of events.
Trinidad
Bloom House: The historic Bloom House is part of the Trinidad History Museum. Photo credit: Jessica Hughes
Come to Trinidad for a week-long celebration of the Santa Fe Trail. Events and activities will be held September 27 – October 3, 2021, commemorating the development of American trade, cultural interactions, and the westward expansion that were all a result of this historic byway. The celebration will include historic tours of the trail and the Santa Fe Museum, period reenactments, historic family-friendly activities, theatre productions, art exhibits, and more.
Visit the Trinidad History Museum to view the featured exhibit of Borderlands of Southern Colorado: The Santa Fe Trail. The exhibit, housed in the Santa Fe Trail building, explores the trail through new eyes by telling forgotten stories that shaped the borderlands of southern Colorado. The property also houses the historic Bloom Mansion, the Baca-Bloom Heritage Gardens, and the Baca House, where tours are available.
Drive The Santa Fe Trail
Marker: One of 36 Santa Fe Trail markers in Las Animas, Colorado. Photo by Jessica Hughes
One of the best ways to experience the trail is with a drive along the historic Mountain Branch of the Santa Fe Trail. The route roughly follows U.S. Highway 50 from Lamar to La Junta, and along U.S. Highway 350 to Trinidad, going into New Mexico. Visit historic landmarks along the way including Bent’s Old Fort, Boggsville Historic Site, Fort Lyon, Bent’s New Fort, Timpas State Station, the Baca House in Trinidad, and more.
Be on the lookout for the wagon ruts that are still visible in some places along the grass prairies. Much of the historic trail has faded away, so numerous signs are posted alongside the road to notify motorists where the trail once was. In fact, there are now 36 historic granite stone markers that follow the route, most of them denoting visible wagon ruts. Notable markers are found in Lamar at the Big Timbers Museum, north side of U.S. Highway 50 at the Kansas/Colorado state lines, and at Iron Springs along Highway 350.
For more information about the bicentennial of the Santa Fe Trail, visit https://santafetrail200.org.