Links for Further Discovery about the Pioneer Trails & History
Oregon-California Trails Association is your primary resource and starting point for information on trails or OCTA. This extremely rich site is designed for both the casual and focused visitor. Go there often because the OCTA webmasters have so much information to share that in some areas of the site they provide a constantly changing smorgasbord of materials. If you are interested in trail publications and products check out the OCTA Store. Discover other interesting online resources in the next section relating to Kansas, Missouri and other links to discover historic trails, rails, monuments, kiosks, wayside exhibits, and historic sites.
KS & MO Trails History
Kansas City Area Historic Trails Association →
Our goal is to educate the public to the historical significance of the trails as they traversed through the Greater Kansas City area. The country was developed on this basic form of transportation. Each trail with its own importance; Santa Fe Trail was a trail of commerce. Oregon Trail was a route of emigrants to discover new territory. California Trail went west to find “gold”. Lewis and Clark to find a primary water route that would link the east to the west.
Daughters of the American Revolution →
Daughters are vibrant, active women who are passionate about community service, preserving history, educating children, as well as honoring and supporting those who serve our nation.
Trails Leaving Independence by Charles Goslin
Mid-American Regional Council (MARC) Historic Trails Retracement Project →
The National Park Service – National Trails Inter-mountain Region worked with MARC, local governments and local trails organizations to develop a strategy concept plan for retracing the three historic trails — the Santa Fe, Oregon and California trails — through the Kansas City region. The concept plan offers a system alignment that, once implemented at the local level, will help people explore these historic routes and connect with historic and community assets.
“Kansas Memory has been created by the Kansas State Historical Society to share its historical collections via the Internet. It supports the mission of the Society--to identify, collect, preserve, interpret, and disseminate materials and information pertaining to Kansas history in order to assist the public in understanding, appreciating, and caring for the heritage of Kansas. Kansas Memory provides a very tangible means of fulfilling the vision of the KSHS, which is to enrich people's lives by connecting them to the past.” (Kansas Memory)
Saint Joe was a major jumping-off point for California and Oregon emigrants from 1844 into the ’60s. The Saint Joe Road ran near the Sac and Fox Presbyterian Mission on the way to cross the Big Blue River and meet the Independence Road.
“The Gateway Chapter's area of responsibility, stretches from St. Joseph, MO to Marysville, KS.. Learn more about the fascinating history of St. Joseph and surrounding areas and the work that we continue to accomplish in preservation and education. We welcome new members and donations to help us continue preserving and promoting trail and landmark history.”
Freedom’s Frontier National Heritage Area →
Location: 41 counties in Eastern Kansas and Western Missouri, USA
Area: 31,021 square miles, approximately the size of South Carolina
Population: 2,883,526 (2017 estimate)
Established: October 12, 2006
Counties involved:
Kansas – Allen, Anderson, Atchison, Bourbon, Chautauqua, Cherokee, Clay, Coffey, Crawford, Douglas, Franklin, Geary, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnson, Labette, Leavenworth, Linn, Miami, Montgomery, Neosho, Osage, Pottawatomie, Riley, Shawnee, Wabaunsee, Wilson, Woodson, Wyandotte.
Missouri – Barton, Bates, Buchanan, Cass, Clay, Jackson, Johnson, Lafayette, Platte, Ray, St. Clair, Vernon.
Covering the Emigrant Trails of Northeast Kansas - Most of our area is through towns or on private land. We care for numerous graves in our area: including Roush, Marshall, Attebery and Mastin. We also keep an eye on the numerous swales and other trail related sites in this area.
Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Commission →
Records from the Kansas Lewis & Clark Bicentennial Commission, a multi-agency and volunteer board created by the governor to oversee and plan events and activities associated with the bicentennial of Lewis and Clark's 1804-1806 expedition across the then recently-purchased Louisiana Territory land. Includes memoranda and correspondence, promotional and informational materials, agendas and meeting minutes, reports, schedules, drafts of documents, plans, rosters, etc.
Missouri Outfitters of Santa Fe Trails Association →
The Missouri River Outfitters (MRO) chapter of the Santa Fe Trail Association has responsibility for the Trail in the Missouri counties of Howard, Saline, Lafayette and Jackson. Meetings are held at various places along the trail. The most regular location is the National Frontier Trails Museum in Independence, Missouri.
Jackson County Historical Society→
The Jackson County (Missouri) Historical Society is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to preserving the written, oral, and physical legacy of this county. We do this by maintaining physical collections and promoting the study, appreciation, and interpretation of local and regional history.
The first pioneer groups left from Independence in 1834. By 1842, tens of thousands of pioneer emigrants trekked into the uncharted frontier to find a new home in Oregon. The first pioneer groups unloaded their wagons and belongings off steamboats at Independence, Missouri.
Soon Kansas City’s Westport District became another launching point. Eventually with so many pioneers and goods going West, suppliers and outfitters made St. Joseph a new launching point further north up the Missouri River.
De Soto Kansas Historical Society→
The mission of the De Soto Historical Society is to promote, educate and preserve the history of De Soto, Kansas and history of Lexington Township and the Northwest Johnson County Area.
Mission Statement: To be an essential part of Lenexa by preserving and promoting its story, and to be relevant within the community through involvement and education.
The purpose of the Olathe Historical Society is to create interest in the history of Olathe, to bring together people interested in that history and to discover, collect and preserve material and sites which help to illustrate the history of the area.
The Leawood Historic Commission was created in 1993 to record and protect the history of our community. The Leawood Historic Commission is comprised of volunteers appointed by the Mayor of Leawood.
Overland Park Historical Society→
The Overland Park Historical Society was organized on September 30, 1994 for the purpose of identifying and preserving the history of Overland Park and the surrounding area. We are celebrating our 25th Anniversary in 2019 and we have big plans not only for this year but for the future. The Board of Directors recently purchased the Suburb Decorations building on 1801 Santa Fe Drive to preserve the remnants of the Strang Depot hidden within the current structure and to combine our museum, offices and research all under that historical roof.
Gardner Historical Museum, Inc.→
Visiting the museum is like taking a step back into the past. Each room is filled with exhibits that highlight Gardner’s early heritage. Local residents have donated and loaned hundreds of artifacts to the museum inventory.
Our goal is to preserve our history and to increase awareness of the historical significance of our area and people.
Santa Fe Trail
“The Santa Fe Trail Association is composed of people of all ages and walks of life who are bound together by an interest in the fascinating saga of the Trail, and an interest in preserving its many physical traces and landmarks that still exist upon the face of the American West. While many of them live in the immediate vicinity of the Trail, the SFTA is proud to claim members from all over the United States.” (SFTA)
The Interactive Santa Fe Trail (SFT) Homepage→
Well-done site by Nancy Sween covers history and modern-day interest in this historic trail through Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, Oklahoma, & New Mexico. Site is highly interactive and has a wealth of reference information available.
Santa Fe Trail Research Site →
From the home page: "'The Wet/Dry Routes' was a section of the Santa Fe Road that ran from just northeast of Larned, Kansas, in the area of Ash Creek Crossing and Pawnee Rock, Kansas to Fort Dodge, Kansas and The Caches."
"Along the Dry Route there were very few places that water could be found, a few small creeks but nothing major."
This useful website is heavy on information and light on graphics. There are detailed auto tour pages and years of the chapter's quarterly newsletter, Traces. Excellent.
Trail History Near and Far
The Oregon-California Trails Association (a non-profit, 501 (C) (3) association) is the nation’s largest and most influential organization dedicated to the preservation and protection of overland emigrant trails and the emigrant experience. Beginning in 1812 over 500,000 emigrants traveled the trails to reach a brighter future. Discover more about this amazing trek at Trail Facts.
National Park Service Historic Trails, Markers, Monuments and Sites
California National Parks and Historic Monuments/Trails→
Explore and Discover the California National Historic Trail and many other historical destinations throughout California. Easy links to alerts, weather, maps, and basic information for each site and trail.
“Follow in the footsteps of over 250,000 emigrants who traveled to the gold fields and rich farmlands of California during the 1840s and 1850s: the greatest mass migration in American history. The California National Historic Trail is over 5,000 miles long and covers portions of 10 states. Step into history along more than 1,000 miles of ruts and traces from travelers and their overland wagons.” (NPS)
STATEMENT BY CHRISTOPHER K. JARVI, ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR PARTNERSHIPS, INTERPRETATION AND EDUCATION, VOLUNTEERS, AND OUTDOOR RECREATION, NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, BEFORE THE HOUSE RESOURCES SUBCOMMITTEE ON NATIONAL PARKS CONCERNING THE NATIONAL TRAILS SYSTEM ACT - July 26, 2005.
Oregon Trail
Oregon National Parks and Historic Monuments/Trails→
Explore and discover the Oregon National Historic Trail and many other historical destinations throughout Oregon.
“Imagine yourself an emigrant headed for Oregon: would promises of lush farmlands and a new beginning lure you to leave home and walk for weeks? More than 2,000 miles of trail ruts and traces can still be seen along the Oregon National Historic Trail in six states and serve as reminders of the sacrifices, struggles, and triumphs of early American settlers.” (NPS)
The journey of the Corps of Discovery - A Film by Ken Burns. A General Motors Mark of Excellence Presentation!
The Native Sons and Daughters of Kansas City →
"The Native Sons and Daughters of Greater Kansas City is among the oldest, most enduring historical societies in Kansas City and they have unquestionably been a major force in preserving and promoting the region's history. Without their good work to preserve sites and encourage recognition of local people and events and their efforts to secure documents and records of our community's past, much of Kansas City's rich heritage would be unknown and unknowable."
David Boutros, Retired Associate Director
The State Historical Society of Missouri