Missouri To Kansas…
OCTA Trails Head History
TRAILS HEAD CHAPTER HISTORY
The Oregon-California Trails Association (OCTA) was founded in Denver in 1982, and held its first convention in Independence, Missouri in 1983. Barbara Magerl, Kansas City-area historian and free-lance writer, began coordinating meetings and trail programs. In early 1986, the developing public interest coalesced with the formation of Trails Head Chapter, the third OCTA chapter.
From its beginning, Trails Head has promoted research and education with its members and the public. Early on, members already were researching Oregon, California, and Santa Fe trails since all three trails ran on the same routes in the Greater Kansas City area. In 1990, Trails Head sought to be both an OCTA chapter and a Santa Fe Trail Association (SFTA) chapter. The OCTA Board at first approved the request, but then rescinded approval. Soon thereafter, the Missouri River Outfitters of SFTA was formed. Trails Head has hoped to enhance awareness of trail issues by partnering with a wide variety of facilities and associations, including the Missouri River Outfitters of SFTA. The primary vehicles for spreading info about the area trails continues to be public talks, the chapter newsletters, trail treks, site tours, and the presentation of awards. If you wish to learn more details of Trails Head history, click on the headings below.
LOCATIONS OF ANNUAL MEETINGS
For years, Trails Head deliberately scheduled meetings in many different locations to try to reach a wide variety of audiences. Sometime after Trailside Center opened as a public meeting space at 99th & Holmes in Kansas City, Missouri, that Center became a convenient location to schedule Trails Head annual meetings. Trailside Center is owned by the City of Kansas City, Missouri, and the Historical Society of New Santa Fe is the managing partner.
If you wish to see listings of locations of annual meetings by year, click on the following heading.
Places of Annual Meetings
You may click on locations in 10-year increments.
1986-1995
1986—Rodeway Inn, North Kansas City, MO
1987—Loose Park Garden Center, KCMO
1988—Second Presbyterian Church, KCMO
1989—Second Presbyterian Church, KCMO
1990—National Frontier Trails Center, Independence, MO
1991—Grinter Place, KCKS
1992—National Frontier Trails Center, Independence, MO
1993—Alexander Majors Barn, KCMO
1994—Mahaffie Farmstead, Olathe, KS
1995—Raytown Historical Society Museum, Raytown, MO
1996-2005
1996—Jim & Judy Budde’s house, KCMO
1997—West Wyandotte Library, KCKS
1998—Kansas State School for the Blind, KCKS
1999—Elaine McNabney’s house, KCMO
2000—Jim & Judy Budde’s house, KCMO
2001—Jim & Judy Budde’s house, KCMO
2002—Cedar Roe Library, Roeland Park, KS
2003—Cedar Roe Library, Roeland Park, KS
2004—Johnson County Central Resources Library, Overland Park, KS
2005—Assessible Arts at Kansas State School for the Blind, KCKS
2006-2015
2006—Plaza Library, 4801 Main St. [new location], KCMO
2007—Shawnee Indian Mission Historic Site, Fairway, KS
2008—Westport Public Library, KCMO
2009—National Archives, 400 W. Pershing Rd. [new location], KCMO
2010—KCMO Central Library, 14 W. 10th St., KCMO
2011—Trailside Center, 9901 Holmes, KCMO
2012—Mahaffie Heritage Center, 1200 E. Kansas City Rd., Olathe, KS
2013 through 2015—Trailside Center, KCMO
2016-2025
2016 through 2020—Trailside Center, 9901 Holmes, KCMO
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OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE CHAIRS
For the first 18 years of the chapter, the term of office for each Trails Head officer was for one year, and each officer could be re-elected for only one consecutive term. When the bylaws were amended in November of 2004, the secretary and the treasurer then could be re-elected for unlimited numbers of consecutive terms. When the bylaws were amended in 2018, all officer terms became two years. The president and vice president could continue to serve only two successive terms, which became a total of four years, not a total of two. The 2004 and 2018 bylaws both do say that officers shall serve until successors are duly elected.
In the listings that follow, the year given for an officer’s service is the year after the annual meeting, even though an officer’s term would have started at the end of the annual meeting late in the year.
If you wish to see who has been an officer or committee chair, click on the desired heading below.
PRESIDENTS FROM 1986 TO PRESENT
Michael Duncan—1986
Barbara Magerl—1987
Ross Marshall—1988, 1989, 1994, 1995
James Lee—1990, 1993
Bob Hamilton—to be 1991, but resigned Dec. 1990
John Leamon—as vice president assumed presidency temporarily in Dec. 1990 & appointed B. Bullard as president
Bill Bullard—1991, 1992, 2000, 2001
Mary Conrad—1996, 1997
Judy Budde—1998, 1999
Dick Nelson—2002, 2003, 2013, 2014, 2015
Arnold Cole—2004, 2005, Feb. 2008 on, 2009
Pat Traffas—2006, 2007, 2010, 2011, 2012
Pat Marshall—early 2008 (death in Feb.)
Jean Coupal-Smith—2016, 2017, 2018
Lila Aamodt—2019, 2020
VICE PRESIDENTS FROM 1986 TO PRESENT
Richard Nolf—1986
Milton Perry—1987
John Leamon—1988, 1989, 1991, 1992
Ona Gieschen—1990
Eric Fowler—1993
James Lee—1994, 1997, 1998
Mary Conrad—1995
Bill Bullard—1996
Henry Boppart—1999=
Dick Nelson—2000, 2001, 2nd half of 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2016, 2017, 2018
Eva Allen—2002, 2003
Pat Traffas—2004, 2005
Pat Marshall—2006, 2007
Arnold Cole—early 2008 (Cole assumed presidency, vp vacant rest of 2008 & 1st half of 2009)
Sandy Wiechert—2013, 2014
Jean Coupal-Smith—2015, 2019, 2020
SECRETARIES FROM 1986 TO PRESENT
Barbara Bernauer—1986, 1987
Mary Conrad—1988, 2nd half of 2009, 2010 through 2020
Elaine McNabney—1989, 2001, 2002
Sylvia Mooney—1990
Judy Budde—1991, 1992
Donna Bullard—1993
Ruth Ayres—1994
Tom McCutcheon—1995, 1996 into fall when moved to Wyoming (sec. vacant for short time)
John Leamon—1997, 1998
Eva Allen—1999, 2000, 2005, 2006
James Lee—2003, 2004
Alisha Cole—2007, 2008
TREASURERS FROM 1986 TO PRESENT
John Leamon—1986
Elaine McNabney—1987
Jim Budde—1988, 1989, 1995, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2003 through 2010
Henry Boppart—1990, 1991
James Lee—1992
Judy Budde—1993, 1994, 1997, 2002
Dick Nelson—1999
Arnold Cole—2011 through 2018
Kelly Breen—2019, 2020
NEWSLETTER EDITORS FROM 1986 TO PRESENT
Barbara Magerl, the first Trails Head newsletter editor, selected “Trails Head Tidings” as the title of the chapter newsletter. After Ross Marshall had been editor around 10 years, in 2013 Marshall suggested the title change to “Trails Head Traces”, the current title of the newsletter. The editors to date are listed below.
Barbara Magerl—1987 (2 issues that year)
Mary Conrad—1988 through 2001 (4 to 6 issues per year)
Judy Budde—2002 (3 issues that year)
Ross Marshall—2003 to present (4 issues per year)
PRESERVATION OFFICERS FROM 1986 TO PRESENT
John Leamon—1988 through 1997
Allen Wiechert--2017 through late 2019
Pat Traffas—2020 through present
MEMBERSHIP CHAIRS FROM 1986 TO PRESENT
Elaine McNabney—1987
Henry Boppart—1988 through 1991 or later
Judy Budde & Barbara Magerl—1998 through ?
Ross Marshall—2003 into 2013
Eva Allen—last half 2013 through 2015
Ruby Nelson—2016 to present
BYLAWS
Trails Head bylaws were first adopted on November 10, 1988, almost three years after the chapter was formed. In 1990, President James Lee recommended a review of the bylaws. In 1991, President Bill Bullard appointed a Bylaws Committee to consider changes, but no amendments were recommended. The members first amended the bylaws on November 4, 2004. The bylaws next were amended on November 3, 2018.
Click below to see the current bylaws - (we are waiting on text of bylaws from Mary or Ross)
Text of Current Bylaws
CHAPTER-SPONSORED TREKS & TOURS
In 1988, Trails Head began sponsoring treks following historic trail routes and/or going to significant historic places. At first, these treks were car caravans, although some of the early ones, such as a 1989 trek from Arrow Rock to Ft. Osage, used rented vans. Trails Head began to use rented buses in 1994, on a tour to Ft. Scott that followed the route of the Ft. Leavenworth to Ft. Scott Military Road. At times, Trails Head has sponsored a walking tour of a site or an area to which participants can drive to the location. Also some chapter gatherings have included a business meeting, plus the tour of a site or a tour within a building.
Below you may click to see lists of the many Trails Head treks and site tours.
Or you may click to see who has been the guides for those treks and site tours.
Listing of Trails Head Treks and Site Tours
Click on the five-year increment that you wish to see.
1986-1990
1986—no chapter treks or site tours scheduled
1987—no chapter treks or site tours scheduled
1988 June 18—trek: State Line to Lawrence (Oregon-California trails)
1988 Sept. 10—trek: KS Museum in Topeka to Red Vermillion Crossing and Big Elm (Oregon-California trails)
1989 Feb. 9—tour of archives: Dave Boutros spoke on early attempts at marking trails in Kansas City area, in Westport Room of UMKC University Center, before attendees walked a block to Western Historical Manuscripts Collection at Kansas City in Newcomb Hall for tour of collections
1989 Apr. 8—trek: met at Ft. Leavenworth for bus tour of historic fort, and then combined business meeting; joint meeting & tour planned by OCTA Gateway
1989 June 10—trek: Buckner, MO to 123rd & State Line Rd., with tour of Ft. Osage buildings and stops at Blue Mills site, Wayne City area, Rice Farm, swales of Minor Park, and New Santa Fe Cemetery (Santa Fe Trail east of Independence, then Independence Route of Santa Fe-Oregon-California trails)
1989 Sept. 16—trek: Arrow Rock, MO to Independence (Santa Fe Trail)
1990 Feb. 24—tour in museum: after Director Janet Campbell gave talk on Johnson County Museum trail exhibits, traveling trail trunk, and Lanesfield School, Campbell gave tour of all trail-related exhibits in Johnson County Museum, at 6305 Lackman [early location], in Shawnee
1990 Mar. 19—historic site: Ona Gieschen talked on history of Watts Mill & Jim O’Shea spoke on possible restoration of mill, at Watts Mill Historic Site, 103rd & State Line Rd., KCMO
1990 Oct. 13—trek: Lawrence to Topeka (Oregon-California trails
1991-1995
1991 May 18—trek: Independence to Bartleson family graves at 151st St., to commemorate 150th anniversary of Bidwell-Bartleson Party, the first wagon train to California; started at Nebraska House site, then stopped at four sites, i. e. Smallwood Noland House, Rice-Tremonti House [tour of house], Santa Fe Commons in Overland Park, & Bartleson graves. For decades, historians had debated the location of Sapling Grove, the rendezvous site of the Bidwell-Bartleson wagon train. The Fowlers thought that the Santa Fe Commons could have been the Sapling Grove site. During the stop at the Commons, a discussion ensued as to the possible locations of Sapling Grove. Since that 1991 trek, trail historians have agreed that Sapling Grove was farther south, at about 82nd Terrace & Grant in Overland Park.
1991 June 8—trek: St. Joseph, MO to Hollenberg Pony Express Station in north-central KS, with stops at St. Joseph Pony Express Museum, Marysville Pony Express Barn, Hollenberg Pony Express Station with active archaeological dig, archaeological field station, and field lab ( Pony Express route); joint tour with OCTA Gateway Chapter
1991 Oct. 19—trek: Independence to 27th St. Crossing of Independence to Westport Rd., then to Byrams Ford regarding 1864 Battle of Westport & early trail era
1992 June 13—trek: KS Museum in Topeka to Red Vermillion Crossing and Big Elm (Oregon-California trails); joint tour with OCTA Gateway Chapter
1992 Sept. 26—trek: Black Jack Park in Douglas County to Osage County line (Santa Fe Trail)
1993 Oct. 9—trek: Ft. Leavenworth to Grinter House, at 78th north of Kansas River, in KCKS (Ft. Leavenworth to Ft. Scott Military Rd.)
1993 Nov. 9—tour of house museum: one-hour tour of Alexander Majors House, before TH annual meeting in Alexander Majors barn, in Kansas City, MO
1994 Mar. 19—trek: Metcalf South Shopping Center, in Overland Park, to Fort Scott (Ft. Leavenworth to Ft. Scott Military Rd.)
1994 May 14—trek: Shawnee Indian Mission Historic Site, in Fairway, to Lawrence (Westport to Lawrence Road, also called California Road)
1994 Sept. 24—trek: Indian Springs Shopping Center in KCKS to St. Joseph, MO; then Hwy. 36 to Alcove Spring, Hollenberg Pony Express Station, & Tri-County marker on Nebraska border (Oregon- California trails, at times)
1994 Nov. 10—tour of house museum: Mary Conrad spoke on 1988 Mahaffie archaeology at TH annual meeting before tour of Mahaffie House in Olathe
1995 May 20—trek: Missouri River crossings in St. Joseph area (Oregon-California trails, at times); joint trek with OCTA Gateway Chapter
1995 June 17—trek: Westport to Lanesfield School (Westport Route of Santa Fe-Oregon-California trails)
1995 Sept. 16—trek: 1st stopped at KS Museum of History, in Topeka; then Pottawatomie County, KS from Willard to swales near Blaine, which is about 8 miles from Black Vermillion Crossing (Oregon-California trails)
1995 Nov. 9—tour of museum: Roberta Bonnewitz & Walter Cook spoke on history of Raytown & trail through Raytown, at TH annual meeting, before Bonnewitz gave tour of Raytown Historical Society Museum
1996-2000
1996 Apr. 20—trek: Lexington to Independence Square (Santa Fe Trail); joint trek with Missouri River Outfitters of Santa Fe Trail Assn.
1996 June 6—trail site: celebration of 175th Anniversary of Santa Fe Trail on 167th St., near Lone Elm DAR marker in Olathe, with Ross Marshall, Craig Crease, and Arnold Schofield as speakers, on significance of Santa Fe Trail and of Lone Elm campground; one of Kansas Historical Society-planned celebratory nights from June 3rd through July 14th, with local Trails Head and MRO co-hosting the evening (planned by Trails Head, MRO provided many volunteers)
1996 Oct. 5—trek: Kansas River to New Santa Fe (Ft. Leavenworth to Ft. Scott Military Rd. in Johnson Co., KS)
1997 Mar. 2—tour of archives: Ann Reinert gave book review of Kenneth Holmes’s Covered Wagon Women, at Park College Library, before Haold Smith gave tour of Park College Archives
1997 Apr. 26—trek: Wayne City Landing to Independence Square & National Frontier Trails Museum (Santa Fe-Oregon-California trails); joint car caravan, with OCTA Gateway Chapter
1997 June 21—trek: Westport Landing to Westport (Westport Road of Santa Fe-Oregon-California trails)
1998 Feb. 21—tour of archives: tour of National Archives of Central Plains Region, 2312 E. Bannister [early location], before a lunch
1998 Apr.25—trek: Kmart, at Shawnee Mission Parkway & Antioch, to Ft. Leavenworth and 8-mile house (10 miles of Ft. Leavenworth branch of Oregon-California trails, which is section of Ft. Leavenworth to Ft. Scott Military Road, & to fork of Oregon-California trails with Ft. Leavenworth to Ft. Riley Rd.)
1998 Oct. 17—trek: Westport Landing to Westport; repeat of popular trek of June 21, 1997 (Westport Road of Santa Fe-Oregon-California trails)
1999 May 1—trek: Westport Landing to St. Joseph, MO to visit Missouri River trail landings
1999 June 19—trek: Westport Landing to Gardner (Westport Route of Santa Fe-Oregon-California trails)
1999 Oct. 16—trek: Upper Independence Landing (Wayne City Landing) to Gardner (Independence Route of Santa Fe-Oregon-California trails)
2000—no chapter treks scheduled as Trails Head hosted OCTA national convention
2000 June 21—walking tour of historic site: business meeting & picnic at Cave Spring Interpretive Center, at Gregory Blvd. & Blue Ridge, followed by walking tour to see DAR marker at 72nd & Blue Ridge and then to the area where the Barnes house once may have stood, on east of DAR marker
2001-2005
2001 May 19—tour of facilities & swales: tours of Independence facilities, including OCTA Headquarters, National Frontier Trails Center library & archives, & Bingham-Waggoner swales, with Gateway-Trails Head joint meeting at OCTA Headquarters, before lunch at Courthouse Exchange on Independence Square
2001 June 23—trek: Lawrence to Topeka with stop at Blanton’s Bridge, on south side of Lawrence, & at UPRR Depot, in north Topeka, with comments on territorial Border War events (Oregon-California trails)
2002 June 15—trek: Ft. Osage trek, with tour of facilities & picnic, plus stops at Blue Mills site, Wayne City area, Rice Farm, Minor Parks swales, & New Santa Fe Cemetery (Independence Route of Santa Fe-Oregon-California trails)
2003 May 10—trek: Liberty, MO to Weston, MO (Liberty to Ft. Leavenworth Rd.)
2004 May 8—trek: to Lawrence on Hwy. 10, then to Lecompton to see territorial Border War sites
2004 Sept. 11—trek: Kmart, at Shawnee Mission Parkway & Antioch, to State Line Rd., with stops at Grinter House, Delaware Baptist Mission site, & KCKS Shawnee Mission site (first Shawnee Mission site), to see emigrant Shawnee & Delaware Indian sites of trail era
2004 Nov. 4—exploration of site: party of 16 Trails Head members explored section of Wilderness Park in northwestern Johnson County, trying to find location of where 1852 train of 13 wagons crossed Captain’s Creek [In 2006 local resident Bob Miller told Drew Bodner, Rob Cook, & Lee Kroh that he knew of location of that crossing. On Apr. 22, 2007, Miller showed Cook, Pete Cuppage, Kroh, & Ross Marshall the crossing in the vicinity of 135th & Evening Star Rd.]
2005 Apr. 2—trek: to Black Jack ruts east of Baldwin City, then to Ottawa & Osawatomie, to see territorial Border War sites
2005 June 11—trail site event, but tour of exhibits cancelled: chapter met at Olathe Lone Elm Park for speakers and picnic, but scheduled tour of new exhibits was scrapped due to light rain. On this June 11th, Trails Head was first organization to reserve new shelter house. (Part of new park originally was site of Round Grove campground, and name later became Lone Elm campground after all but one tree had been cut by trail travelers.)
2005 Sept. 10—trek: Kmart, at Shawnee Mission Parkway & Antioch, to Ft. Leavenworth (Ft. Leavenworth to Ft. Scott Military Rd.)
2006-2010
2006 Apr. 1—trek: to Black Jack ruts east of Baldwin City, then to Ottawa & Jotham Meeker Baptist Mission, to see territorial Border War sites
2006 Apr. 29—trek: Kansas City to beyond Council Grove (Santa Fe Trail); MRO invited Trails Head to join this trek; some considered this a joint trek, & some did not
2006 June 10—tour of park exhibits at trail site: Trails Head hosted many partners at Olathe Lone Elm Park, for speakers and picnic, with walking tour of exhibits, led by Olathe Parks Director Kevin Corbett; called a Trail Rendezvous
2007 Apr. 14—trek: Kmart, at Shawnee Mission Parkway & Antioch, to Monticello, Olathe, Spring Hill, then north to KCMO, including River Market, to see sites associated with Wild Bill Hickok
2008 Apr. 19—trek: Kmart, on Shawnee Mission Parkway & Antioch, to Spring Hill, Aubry, Gardner, Hesper, Franklin, Lawrence, & Baldwin City, to see sites associated with Wm. Quantrill and his raid on Lawrence
2008 June 7—tour at trail site: Trails Head hosted many partners at Olathe Lone Elm Park, for speakers and picnic, with walking tour led by Ross Marshall; called a Trail Rendezvous
2008 Aug. 21—awards ceremony, but cancelled tour of park: Trails Head, MRO, & KCAHTA met at Gardner City Hall to present MRO awards, to many who had played key roles in completing Gardner Junction Park; a car caravan to Gardner Junction Park to see newly developed park was cancelled due to conflicts
2009 June 6—trek: stops at Ft. Osage, the Blue Spring, John Bartleson family graves at 151st St., Big Blue River Crossing, Nine-Mile State Line survey point at 79th St., Sibley Survey Crossing of Big Blue River in Swope Park (early routes of Santa Fe Trail in KC area)
2010—no chapter trek schedule
2010 Feb. 13—tour of library: business meeting, plus guided tour of new Midwest Genealogy Center, a library for genealogists and historians, on Lee’s Summit Rd. in Independence, MO
2010 Apr. 10—tour of house museum: met at Grinter House, on 78th St. north of Kansas River, in KCKS, for history of Grinters and guided tour of historic house, both by Site Director Joe Brentano
2010 June 5—walking tour at trail site: Trails Head hosted many partners at Olathe Lone Elm Park, for speakers and picnic, with walking tour by Olathe Parks Director Kevin Corbett; called a Trail Rendezvous
2010 Nov. 13—tour of library collection: met at KCMO Central Library, at 14 W. 10th, one-hour tour of collections associated with Missouri Valley Collections room, before Trails Head annual business meeting
2011-2015
2011 Feb. 5—tour of museum: met at Monticello Community Historical Museum in Shawnee, to hear about the history of Monticello and to tour the museum, both by Bertha Cameron, one of museum founders
2011 May 7—trek: Overland Park to Baldwin City, Lawrence, & Topeka (Santa Fe Trail at times; other times Oregon-California trails, including swale at Governor’s Mansion in Topeka)
2011 Sept. 17—tour of museum: met at Watkins Community Museum in Lawrence for program by Fred Six about Blanton’s Bridge Crossing site, on south side of Lawrence on Oregon-California trails, with tour of museum by Director Steve Nowak
2012—no chapter treks scheduled as chapter hosted national OCTA convention
2012 Nov. 10—tour outside & inside house museum: Trails Head business meeting before joint trail symposium, planned by Trails Head, KCAHTA, & MRO, plus DAR invited to attend, at Mahaffie Farmstead and Stagecoach Stop in Olathe; after many talks before and after lunch, Tim Talbott of Mahaffie gave a presentation about oxen by the corral, before giving tour of house
2013—no chapter trek scheduled
2013 Apr. 28—walking tour at trail site: picnic at Red Bridge shelter, with walking tour of signs and exhibits, plus viewing of swales (Blue River Crossing of Independence Route of Santa Fe-Oregon-California trails about 1838/1840 on)
2013 Aug. 24—tour of museum exhibits: met at Watkins Community Museum in Lawrence for talk about Quantrill’s raid on Lawrence, and guided tour of Lawrence raid exhibits, both by Director Steve Nowak
2014 May 10—walking tour/trek: to see Town of Kansas signage along walkway and to see Westport Landing site on Missouri River, plus markers in front of Arabia Museum; after lunch at Minsky’s Pizza, walking tour of City Market to see sites related to Wild Bill Hickok and to Civil War, plus to see murals
2015 Mar. 28—tour of museum: joint meeting of MRO & TH; after MRO business meeting, David Aamodt presented update on future plans to expand National Frontier Trails Museum, and Raymond Starzmann performed as Harry Truman, at National Frontier Trails Museum; after program, D. Aamodt gave guided tour of museum
2015 May 12—trek: Old Franklin, MO to Wayne City Landing, through Independence, and south on Blue Ridge, with stop at Rice-Tremonti House (Santa Fe Trail to Wayne City site; then Santa Fe-Oregon-California trails); joint trek with MRO
2016-2020
2016 Mar. 26—walking tour to bridge: joint meeting of KCAHTA, MRO, & TH; after MRO business meeting, Lou Austin spoke on use of history in the development of South Kansas City, at Austin’s’ office; then walking tour west for about a quarter mile, from office of Lou Austin on East Bannister Road, to the newly opened Powder Mill Pedestrian Bridge over 1-435; this bridge parallels the Bannister Road Bridge, also over I-435
2017—no chapter trek scheduled
2017 June 3—walking tour of hiking trails at trail site: Trails Head, MRO, and KCAHTA hosted many partners at Olathe Lone Elm Park, for speakers and picnic, with walking tour of the hiking trails (area of known 19th-century trail camping) by former Olathe Parks Director Kevin Corbett; called a Trail Rendezvous
2018—no chapter trek scheduled
2018 June 2—event at trail site, but walking tour cancelled: Trails Head, MRO, and KCAHTA hosted many partners at Olathe Lone Elm Park for lunch and speakers; a planned walking tour did not occur; called a Trail Rendezvous
2019 June 1—trek: from Old Franklin, MO to Ft. Osage & Independence (Santa Fe Trail); joint trek with MRO and KCAHTA
2019 Aug. 4—walking tour at trail site: picnic at Red Bridge shelter, with walking tour of trail signs and exhibits, plus viewing of swales (site of Blue River Crossing of Independence Route of Santa Fe-Oregon-California trails about 1838/1840 on)
2020 July 26—trail site: picnic at Sapling Grove Park, formerly called Comanche Park, at 82nd Terrace and Grant, Overland Park, KS; Sapling Grove was name of the place of rendezvous for Bidwell-Bartleson wagon train headed to California
Leaders/Guides of Trails Head Treks and Site Tours
When most of the earliest chapter-sponsored treks were car caravans, one or more guides talked to the participants at each stop. After treks switched to buses, then one or more guides not only talked at stops, but also talked as buses moved between sites. Over the years, some Trails Head programs have been held at historic sites and/or museums. Someone often has given a walking tour at those meeting places.
David Aamodt
2015 Mar. 28—joint meeting of MRO & TH; after MRO business meeting, David Aamodt presented update on future plans to expand National Frontier Trails Museum, and Raymond Starzmann performed as Harry Truman, at National Frontier Trails Museum; after program, Aamodt gave guided tour of museum
Lou Austin
2016 Mar. 26—joint meeting of KCAHTA, MRO, & TH; after MRO business meeting, Lou Austin spoke on the use of history in the development of South Kansas City, at Austin’s office; then walking tour west for about a quarter mile, from office of Lou Austin on East Bannister Road, to the newly opened Powder Mill Pedestrian Bridge over I-435; this bridge parallels the Bannister Road Bridge, also over I-435
Judy Bork, Barbara Burgess, & Bob Keckeisen
1988 Sept. 10—trek from KS Museum in Topeka to Red Vermillion Crossing and Big Elm (Oregon-California trails)
1992 June 13—trek from KS Museum in Topeka to Red Vermillion Crossing and Big Elm (Oregon-California trails)
Roberta Bonnewitz
1995 Nov. 9—Bonnewitz & Walter Cook talked on history of trails in Raytown at Trails Head annual meeting, before Bonnewitz gave tour of Raytown Historical Society Museum
Dave Boutros
1989 Feb. 9—Boutros spoke on early marking of trails in Kansas City, before attendees walked a block on UMKC campus for tour of Western Historical Manuscripts Collection of Kansas City in Newcomb Hall
Joe Brentano
2010 April 10—talk on Moses & Annie Grinter, and guided tour of Grinter House, on 78th just north of Kansas River, in KCKS, both by Site Director Brentano
Jim Budde, Jim Lee, & Orvis Fitts
2001 June 23—trek of Lawrence to Topeka with stop at Blanton’s Bridge, on south side of Lawrence, & at UPRR Depot, in north Topeka, with comments on territorial Border War events (Oregon-California trails
Bertha Cameron
2011 Feb. 5—Monticello Community Historical Museum in Shawnee, to hear about community of Monticello, and for guided tour of museum, both by Cameron, one of museum founders
Janet Campbell
1990 Feb. 24—after Director Campbell gave talk on Johnson County Museum trail exhibits, traveling trail trunk, & Lanesfield School, Campbell gave tour of all trail-related exhibits in museum, at 6305 Lackman [early location] in Shawnee
Mary Conrad, Mike Fisher, and Kansas Historical Society Staff
1991 June 8—Pony Express trek from St. Joseph to Hollenberg Pony Express Station; Conrad organized trek and spoke at each stop, with others giving longer explanations (Fisher on Pony Express stables dig behind St. Joseph Pony Express Museum; Conrad on architecture of Marysville Pony Express Barn; KSHS Curator of Hollenberg Station Duane Durst and KSHS archaeologist Bill Lees on Hollenberg Station & active archaeological dig; Conrad at flotation station; and KSHS archaeologist Virginia Wulfkuhle at archaeological field lab in Hanover school)
Kevin Corbett
2006 June 10—Trails Head hosted many trail representatives, for speakers and picnic at Olathe Lone Elm Park, with walking tour of exhibits, led by Olathe Parks Director Corbett; called a Trail Rendezvous. (Part of new Lone Elm Park originally was site of Round Grove campground, and name later became Lone Elm campground after all but one of trees had been cut by trail travelers.)
2010 June 5—Trails Head hosted many trail representatives, for speakers and picnic at Olathe Lone Elm Park, with walking tour led by Olathe Parks Director Corbett; called a Trail Rendezvous
2017 June 3—Trails Head, MRO, and KCAHTA co-hosted many trail representatives, for speakers and picnic at Olathe Lone Elm Park, with walking tour of hiking trails (area of known trail camping) by former Olathe Parks Director Corbett
Mark Corriston
1998 Feb. 21—tour of National Archives of Central Plains Region, at 2312 E. Bannister [early location], before a lunch
Craig Crease
1994 May 14—trek from Shawnee Indian Mission Historic Site, in Fairway, to Lawrence (Westport to Lawrence Road, also called California Road)
1995 June 17—trek from Westport to Lanesfield School (Westport Route of Santa Fe-Oregon-California trails)
1999 June 19—trek from Westport Landing to Gardner (Westport Route of Santa Fe-Oregon-California trails)
Craig Crease & Ross Marshall
2004 May 8—trek to Lawrence on Hwy. 10, then to Lecompton, to see territorial Border War sites
2004 Sept. 11—trek from Kmart, at Shawnee Mission Parkway & Antioch, to State Line Rd., with stops at Grinter House, Delaware Baptist Mission site, & KCKS Shawnee Mission site (first Shawnee Mission site), to see emigrant Wyandot, Delaware, & Shawnee sites of trail era
2005 Apr. 2—trek to Black Jack ruts east of Baldwin City; then to Ottawa & Osawatomie, to see territorial Border War sites
2006 Apr. 1—trek to Black Jack ruts east of Baldwin City, then to Ottawa & Jotham Meeker Baptist Mission site, to see territorial Border War sites
2007 Apr. 14—trek from Kmart, at Shawnee Mission Parkway & Antioch, to Monticello, Olathe, Spring Hill, & then north to KCMO, including River Market, to see sites associated with Wild Bill Hickok
2008 Apr. 19—trek from Kmart, at Shawnee Mission Parkway & Antioch, to Spring Hill, Aubry, Gardner, Hesper, Franklin, Lawrence, & Baldwin City, to see sites associated with Wm. Quantrill and his raid on Lawrence.
Eric Fowler & Polly Fowler
1991 May 18—trek from Independence to Bartleson family graves at 151st St., to commemorate 150th Anniversary of Bidwell-Bartleson Party, the first wagon train to California; Barbara Tatum led guided tour of Rice-Tremonti House, and Joanne Chiles Eakin spoke of Bidwell and of the Bartlesons at the family graves
1996 Apr. 20—trek from Lexington to Independence Square (Santa Fe Trail)
Polly Fowler & Ft. Osage staff
2002 June 15—trek included Ft. Osage staff giving guided walking tour of Ft. Osage facilities, and Fowler giving commentary at the following stops: Blue Mills site, Wayne City area, Rice Farm, Minor Park swales, and New Santa Fe Cemetery (Independence Route of Santa Fe-Oregon-California trails)
Ona Gieschen & Jim O’Shea
1990 Mar. 19—Gieschen spoke on history of Watts Mill & O’Shea talked on possible restoration of mill, at Watts Mill Historic Site, 103rd & State Line, KCMO
David Jackson, Bill Bullard, & Ross Marshall
2001 May 19—tours of Independence facilities, including OCTA Headquarters, National Frontier Trails Center library & archives, and Bingham-Waggoner swales, with a Gateway-Trails Head joint meeting in OCTA Headquarters—NFTC Archivist Jackson gave tour of library & archives, then Bullard & Marshall gave thoughts at Bingham-Waggoner swales
John Leamon
1989 June 10—trek from Buckner, MO to 123rd & State Line Rd. (Santa Fe Trail east of Independence, then Independence Route of Santa Fe-Oregon-California trails)
1989 Sept. 16—trek from Arrow Rock, MO to Independence (Santa Fe Trail)
1990 Oct. 13—trek from Lawrence to Topeka (Oregon-California trails)
John Leamon & Katharine Kelly
1992 Sept. 26—trek from Black Jack Park in Douglas County to Osage County line (Santa Fe Trail)
John Leamon & Lee Kroh
1993 Oct. 9—trek from Ft. Leavenworth to Grinter House, on 78th just north of Kansas River, in KCKS (Ft. Leavenworth to Ft. Scott Military Rd.)
John Leamon, Leo Pellant, and Douglas Wallace
1990 Oct. 13—trek from Lawrence to Topeka, with Leamon commentary at many sites, plus landowner Pellant spoke at the swales in his front yard near Tecumseh and Wallace gave history of Tecumseh in that town
Jackie Lewin & Marilyn Taylor
1995 May 20—trek of Missouri River crossings in St. Joseph, MO area (Oregon-California trails, at times)
Mahaffie Farmstead Docent
1994 Nov. 10—Mary Conrad spoke on 1988 Mahaffie archaeology during TH annual meeting, before docent gave tour of Mahaffie House
Ross Marshall
1991 Oct. 19—trek from Independence to 27th St. Crossing of Independence to Westport Rd., then to Byrams Ford regarding 1864 Battle of Westport and early trail era
1993 Nov. 9—one-hour tour of Alexander Majors House, before TH annual business meeting in Majors barn
1994 Mar. 19—trek from Metcalf South Shopping Center, in Overland Park, to Fort Scott (Ft. Leavenworth to Ft. Scott Military Rd.)
1994 Sept. 24—trek from Indian Springs Shopping Center, in KCKS, to St. Joseph, MO; then Hwy. 36 to Alcove Spring, Hollenberg Pony Express Station, & Tri-County marker on Nebraska border (Oregon-California trails, at times)
1995 Sept. 16—trek 1st stopped at KS Museum of History, in Topeka; then to Pottawatomie County, KS, from Willard to swales near Blaine, which is about 8 miles from Black Vermillion Crossing (Oregon-California trails)
1996 Oct. 5—trek from Kansas River to New Santa Fe (Ft. Leavenworth to Ft. Scott Military Rd., in Johnson Co.)
1997 June 21—trek from Westport Landing to Westport (Westport Road of Santa Fe-Oregon-California trails)
1998 Apr. 25—trek from Kmart, at Shawnee Mission Parkway & Antioch, to Ft. Leavenworth and 8-mile house; (10 miles of Ft. Leavenworth branch of Oregon-California trails, which is section of Ft. Leavenworth to Ft. Scott Military Rd.; & to fork of Oregon-California trails with Ft. Leavenworth to Ft. Riley Rd.)
1999 May 1—trek from Westport Landing to St. Joseph, MO to see numerous Missouri River trail landings
1999 Oct. 16—trek from Upper Independence Landing (Wayne City Landing) to Gardner (Independence Route of Santa Fe-Oregon-California trails)
2003 May 10—trek from Liberty to Weston (Liberty to Ft. Leavenworth Rd.)
2005 Sept. 10—trek from Kmart, at Shawnee Mission Parkway & Antioch, to Ft. Leavenworth (Ft. Leavenworth to Ft. Scott Military Rd.
2008 June 7----Trails Head hosted many trail representatives for speakers and picnic at Olathe Lone Elm Park, with walking tour led by Marshall
2014 May 10—walking tour/trek to see Town of Kansas signage along walkway, and to see Westport Landing site on Missouri River, plus markers in front of Arabia Steamboat Museum; after lunch at Minsky’s Pizza, walking tour of City Market to see sites related to Wild Bill Hickok and to Civil War, plus to see murals
2019 June 1—trek from Old Franklin, MO to Ft. Osage & Independence (Santa Fe Trail); joint trek with MRO & KCAHTA
Ross Marshall & Mary Conrad
2019 Aug. 4—picnic at Red Bridge shelter, with walking tour of trail signs and exhibits, plus viewing of swales (site of Blue River Crossing of Independence Route of Santa Fe-Oregon-California trails about 1838/1840 on)
Ross Marshall, Mary Conrad, & Pat Traffas
2013 Apr. 28—picnic at Red Bridge shelter, with walking tour of signs and exhibits, plus viewing of swales (site of Blue River Crossing of Independence Route of Santa Fe-Oregon-California trails around 1838/1840 on)
Ross Marshall & Polly Fowler
1997 Apr. 26—car-caravan trek from Wayne City Landing to Independence Square & National Frontier Trails Museum; (Santa Fe-Oregon-California trails)
Ross Marshall & Barbara Magerl
1988 June 18—trek from State Line to Lawrence (Oregon-California trails)
Midwest Genealogy Center Staff
2010 Feb. 13—guided tour of new Midwest Genealogy Center, a library for genealogists and historians, on Lee’s Summit Rd. in Independence, MO
Sylvia Mooney & Walter Cook
2000 June 21—business meeting & picnic, at Cave Spring Interpretive Center, at Gregory Blvd. & Blue Ridge, followed by walking tour to see DAR marker at 72nd & Blue Ridge and then to the area where the Barnes house once may have stood, on farther east of DAR marker
Steve Nowak
2011 Sept. 17—at Watkins Community Museum, in Lawrence, for program by Fred Six about Blanton’s Bridge Crossing site on south side of Lawrence on Oregon-California trails, with guided tour of museum by Director Nowak
2013 Aug. 24—at Watkins Community Museum, in Lawrence, about Quantrill’s raid on Lawrence, and guided tour of Lawrence raid exhibits, both by Director Nowak
John Reichly
1989 Apr. 8—bus tour of Ft. Leavenworth, before business meeting
Harold Smith
1997 Mar. 2—Ann Reinert gave book review of Kenneth Holmes’s Covered Wagon Women, before Park Archivist Smith gave tour of Park College Archives, in Park College Library
Sherrie Kline Smith
2010 Nov. 13—Librarian Smith gave one-hour tour of Missouri Valley Collections room at KCMO Central Library, located at 14 W. 10th, before Trails Head annual business meeting
Tim Talbott
2012 Nov. 10—Trails Head business meeting before joint trail symposium, planned by Trails Head, KCAHTA, & MRO, plus DAR invited to attend, at Mahaffie Farmstead and Stagecoach Stop, in Olathe; after many talks before and after lunch, Tim Talbott of Mahaffie historic site gave a presentation about oxen by the corral, before giving tour of house.
OCTA NATIONAL CONVENTIONS SPONSORED BY TRAILS HEAD
From 1983 to the present, the Oregon-California Trails Association has held a national annual convention. For many years, the convention was held in August, but that has varied with the passage of time. Some also have occurred in July and in September.
1983 (before Trails Head was formed)
Independence, MO; Barbara Magerl, of Overland Park, chaired before Trails Head Chapter was formed
August 18-21, 1983, 1st OCTA convention
Headquartered at Roger T. Sermon Convention Center, on Noland Rd. in Independence, MO
The OCTA founders wanted to hold the first OCTA convention in Independence, Missouri. Gregory Franzwa, one of those founders, convinced Barbara Magerl, then president of the Heritage League of Greater Kansas City, to be the organizer of that first convention.
The convention began with an evening reception at the then newly restored Bingham-Waggoner House. Eighteen speakers gave talks in one-and-a-half days of lectures and at a luncheon. The evening banquet was at the Adams Mark Hotel. One tour was an afternoon trek that extended into the evening, and another tour spanned a full day.
After half a day of talks, the local bus tour began at Wayne City Landing for the dedication of a marker. The tour then followed the Independence Route of the Santa Fe-Oregon-California trails through Independence, and proceeded to Cave Spring Interpretive Center, to the Red Bridge swales, and to New Santa Fe. The trekkers then proceeded north on State Line Road and jogged west to Shawnee Indian Mission for a picnic on the lawn. The Harris-Kearney House in Westport was the next stop. Then conventioneers could walk around Westport shops for the evening. On the last day of the convention, a nine-hour bus tour followed the Oregon-California trail to sites in north-central Kansas, first for a picnic lunch in the area of Red Vermillion Crossing, the Big Elm, and Vieux Cemetery, before moving onto Alcove Spring.
A promotional article titled “The First Annual OCTA Convention: INDEPENDENCE HO!”, by Gregory Franzwa, can be accessed in the OCTA publication, Overland Journal, July 1983 (Volume 1, Number 1), pp. 24-29.
2000
Kansas City, MO; Ross Marshall chaired
August 7-12, 2000, with theme “Beyond the Wide Missouri”, 18th Annual OCTA Convention
Headquartered at Adams Mark Hotel in Kansas City, MO, beside I-70
This convention included tours, speakers, authors night, workshops, and banquet. The tours included the following venues: Missouri River landings, Independence Route, Westport Route, California Road, and Military Road and Ft. Leavenworth. Two shorter tours included an Independence walk with Niel Johnson as Harry Truman and another tour for the visually impaired. The workshops included the following topics: storyliving, historical research, website development, writing for OCTA publications, mapping emigrant trails, convention planning, and archaeology at Town of Kansas Site. A barbeque dinner was held at Arabia Steamboat Museum.
At previous OCTA conventions, maps and trail trek guides were compiled into a booklet along with other information. The 2000 Kansas City editors decided that maps and needed tour explanations would be distributed just to those participating in tours. Thus the editors changed the focus of a convention booklet, so that the 2000 booklet would be a compilation of many articles. Barbara Magerl and Elaine McNabney were the editors of that booklet. McNabney obtained donations for production of the booklet, so that all attendees received a copy in the convention packet. This booklet, titled “We Remember…Beyond the Wide Missouri”, includes 27 one- to three-paged background articles helpful to anyone interested in the trail era of the Greater Kansas City area.
2012
Lawrence, KS; Ross Marshall chaired
August 6-11, 2012, with theme “Trails, Trials and Territories”, 30th Annual OCTA Convention
Headquartered at Lawrence Holiday Inn and Convention Center in Lawrence, KS
As usual for an OCTA convention, this convention included tours, speakers, authors night, workshops, and banquet. The tours included the following: Independence Route to Gardner; Westport to Lawrence Road (California Road); along Missouri River from Kansas City to Leavenworth; Lawrence to Topeka trail routes; and Quantrill sites often along historic trails. The workshops included the following topics: photographing historical sites, students researching Lane Freedom Trail, OCTA chapter development, Freedom’s Frontier designated national heritage area, and usage of Garmin products to record trail routes. A barbeque dinner was held at Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence. In addition to an awards banquet, a dinner on a different evening was held to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the founding of OCTA.
For published handouts, the 2012 Trails Head convention planners followed the same scheme of the 2000 Trails Head convention planners. A separate handout of tour maps with tour information was developed for tour participants. A different booklet, under the editorship of Trails Head members Pat Traffas and Craig Crease, includes articles on background information. This booklet, titled “Trails, Trials and Territories”, includes 21 two- to five-paged articles helpful to anyone wishing to understand the many facets of the trail era in the Greater Kansas City era.
If you would like to acquire the booklet “Trails, Tribes and Territories”, you may purchase from the OCTA online bookstore at:
https://www.octa-trails.org/product/2012-octa-convention-souvenir-booklet-lawrence-ks/
If you would like to acquire the 12-paged tour map booklet for the five 2012 convention tours (tour descriptions & maps), you may purchase from the OCTA online bookstore at:
https://www.octa-trails.org/product/2012-octa-convention-tour-map-booklet-lawrence.ks/
TRAIL MAPS PRINTED BY TRAILS HEAD
In 1988, Trails Head and the Johnson County Historical Museum partnered to print a trail map, with text, titled “Following the Trails in Johnson County, Kansas”. The late John Leamon, Trails Head preservation officer for 10 years, prepared the map. At the time, Leamon reported he traveled 640 miles when working on the map. In 1990, the chapter and Johnson County Museum reprinted that Johnson County map.
In late 1992, Trails Head was the sole publisher of yet another trail map, with text, titled “Following the Trails in Jackson County, Missouri”. Trails Head members John Leamon and Polly Fowler worked together to create that map.
In 2000, Trails Head received a KC150 grant to replace two markers and to reprint the Johnson County Trail map.
Due to further research over the years, some adjustments to the routes on these two maps have been deemed necessary. If you wish to see these revised maps, click on the title of the desired map below.
Following the Trails in Johnson County, Kansas (need nice copies of these still - maybe these are online? )
Following the Trails in Jackson County, Missouri
AWARDS PRESENTED BY TRAILS HEAD
In the earliest years of the chapter, Trails Head presented Certificates of Appreciation. Later this award came to be called “Award of Appreciation”, although the phrase “Certificate of Appreciation” has continued to be used at times, such as for local student winners of OCTA calendar contest. In 2008, Trails Head also added two more awards, Meritorious Achievement Award for members who have been extremely active, and Distinguished Partner Award for a non-member person or entity that has partnered with Trails Head and other historic trail organizations in a significant way.
Click on the type of award you wish to preview.
Certificates/Awards of Appreciation
In the 1980s, OCTA already was encouraging the chapters to award Certificates of Appreciation to individuals and to institutions helping to promote historic trails. Trails Head awarded its first Certificates of Appreciation at the 1987 annual meeting, when Barbara Magerl was president. Later the phrase “Award of Appreciation” came to be used, although a few have continued to be labeled “Certificates of Appreciation”.
The following likely is an incomplete listing of the Certificates/Awards of Appreciation.
Click on the year(s) for which you wish to see Certificates/Awards of Appreciation.
1987
In 1985, the Kansas legislature passed a bill to authorize KDOT to distribute National Park Service-designed Oregon Trail signs for placement at 333 trail crossings of public roads across northeastern Kansas. Missouri also began to work on this type of signage. Within a couple years, Trails Head awarded certificates of appreciation to many who had been involved in establishing the infrastructure for this type of signage in both states. The following is a listing of those 1987 recipients.
Audrey Langworthy, KS State legislator
Larry Jochims, Kansas Historical Society
Kansas Dept. of Transportation
Jean Wise, former Leawood mayor
Barbara Burgess, historical writer, Topeka
Carole Roper Park, MO State legislator
Millie Nesbitt, Independence city council representative
Bill Bullard, Independence city manager
Jerry Darter, director of KC Parks Dept.
1988
One source says Trails Head presented numerous certificates of appreciation throughout the year of 1988. The summaries of two 1988 Trails Head treks do tell of the presentation of certificates. On the trek of June 18, 1988, four certificates of appreciation were presented by Ross Marshall as the car caravan moved from trail site to trail site. The four recipients of those certificates on that trek are as follows.
Blue Valley Community Council, accepted by Cindy Campbell, new sign at BV Baptist Church
Community of Morse, accepted by John Fifield, promotion of local trail history
Johnson County, accepted by Supervisor of Roads Phil Yauger, placement of Oregon Trail signs
City of Gardner, accepted by Mayor Phyllis Thomen, placement of Oregon Trail signs
Two more certificates of appreciation were presented on the trek of September 10, 1988. The recipients on that fall day are as follows.
City of Rossville, placement of Oregon Trail signs
City of St. Marys, placement of Oregon trail signs
1993
Certificate of Appreciation National and Chapter Award
James Fisher
1996
In 1996, two teachers were presidents of Trails Head and of Missouri River Outfitters of Santa Fe Trails Association. Trails Head President Mary Conrad and MRO President Anne Mallinson encouraged the two chapters to jointly award certificates of appreciation to teachers and to others who were actively involved in promoting trails education. The recipients of these joint certificates of appreciation are listed below.
Debbie Boyles, Raytown teacher
Janie Heggam, Raytown teacher
Carolyn Wren, Raytown teacher
Friends of the Mahaffie Farmstead
Bill Oakley, Olathe teacher
Don Everhart, Olathe teacher
Susie Bridson, Olathe junior high librarian
Marilyn Peterson, Olathe elementary school librarian
Olathe School District
Olathe Historical Society
City of Olathe
Marlene Natoli, Olathe Parks & Recreation
2007-2017
2007—Leo Pellant, (unsure if this Trails Head award given), for landowner with visible trail ruts in front yard, near Tecumseh, KS
2008—Eleanor Craig, of Assessible Arts at Kansas State School for the Blind, for promoting historic trails to visually impaired students, including taking students on multi-day treks in vans along Oregon-California trails
2009—Kathy Conway, for her many years as office manager of national OCTA office in Independence, MO
2010—Shawnee Indian Mission Historic Site, for cooperation with Trails Head and other historic trail organizations over many years
2011—Peggy Smith, for decades of researching and promoting historic trails and area history, as a librarian and as a Trails Head member, and in particular for her successful promotion of the name “Lewis and Clark Viaduct” and for raising awareness of Jim Bridger throughout the KC metro area
2012—Eva Allen, for work with Trails Head hosting of OCTA convention in Lawrence and, at that point, for two years as Trails Head vice president and for four years as chapter secretary
2013—Niel Johnson, long-time member of Trails Head and of Friends of National Frontier Trails Museum, for keeping many years of archival records about the Friends & about Trails Head, for his re-enactments of Truman at trail meetings and tours, and for his conducting of interviews for the Trails Head Oral History Project of the late 1990s
2018-2020
2018 June--Kara Friedline, American Heritage Girls leader, for organizing all required activities for each girl to receive a trail badge, including a troop service project of picking up trash along hiking trails and surrounding areas at Lone Elm Park, in Olathe
2018 Nov.—Arnold Cole, for many years as chapter officer in various positions, including almost four years as president, partial year as vice president, and eight years as treasurer
2018 Nov.—Aubrey Massoth, from St. John Paul II, for 2018 OCTA calendar winning entry
2018 Nov.—Avery Strong, from St. John Paul II, for 2018 OCTA calendar winning entry
2018 Nov.—Carmen Balderas, from St. John Paul II, for 2018 calendar winning entry
2018 Nov.—Lucy Harrold, from St. John Paul II, for 2018 calendar winning entry
2018 Nov.—Ava Moran, from St. John Paul II, for 2018 calendar winning entry
2019--Dick Nelson, for recently completing six years as a director on OCTA Board, for many years as chair of OCTA national awards, and for many years as a Trails Head officer (five years as president, eight-and-a-half years as vice president, & one year as treasurer)
2020 Jan.—Lucy Harrold, from St. John Paul II, for 2019 OCTA calendar winning entry
2020 Jan.—Mirabelle Sullivan, from St. John Paul II, for 2019 OCTA calendar winning entry
Meritorious Achievement Awards
2008—Jim Budde, for his 13 years as chapter treasurer at that point, and for his many years of volunteering with OCTA
2009—Mary Conrad, for chapter newsletter editor from 1988 through 2001, and for years as a Trails Head officer (two years as president, one year as vice president, and one-and-a-half year as secretary at that point)
2010—Elaine McNabney, for her many years of continuing to volunteer at OCTA Headquarters after she had volunteered as OCTA office manager; for all her chapter volunteering, including three years as secretary and one year as membership chair; and for her years of re-enacting Little Elaine, a girl traveling on Oregon Trail
2011—Dick Nelson, for two years as chapter president at that point, for four-and-a-half years as vice president at that point, and for one year as treasurer
2012—Ross Marshall, for volunteering for chapter in many ways, including as the planner of many trail treks, as a developer of interpretive markers, as chapter newsletter editor for eleven years at that point, and as president for four years
2013—Pat Traffas, for her chapter volunteering, including five years as president and four years as vice president; and for her stance as trail liaison with Daughters of American Revolution
2016—Barbara Magerl (posthumous to son Chuck), for her leadership as the principal founder of Trails Head and for her continued chapter leadership over many more years
2018—Larry Short, for his leadership as president of Missouri River Outfitters of Santa Fe Trail Assn., during which over many years he contacted many governmental entities in both Missouri and Kansas, to ensure continued placement of Local Tour Route trail signs over many years
2019—Craig Crease, for his leadership in historic trail research, authoring historical markers, leading trail tours, and many other trail projects
Distinguished Partner Awards
2008—Steve Kidwell, an employee of the cement company that owns the Wayne City area, for his coordinating of the development of a Wayne City pocket park
2009—Kansas City Area Historic Trails Association, for its history of not only partnering with Trails Head and Missouri River Outfitters of Santa Fe Trail Association, but also with an incredible number of other entities, including governmental ones, to create and install many markers and interpretive sign
2010—Steve Rhoades, for his instrumental work as a landscape architect, in promoting Metro Green hiking & biking trails in Kansas City metro area, including along the historic trails corridor
2013—KCMO Parks & Recreation, for working with many partners to develop interpretive markers and portraits on the new Red Bridge
2015—Darby Trotter, for promoting development and design of the Overland Park Heritage Trail, as a buffer between additions to the Overland Park Regional Medical Center and the adjacent neighborhood on the north side
2016—Lenexa Parks & Recreation, accepted by Jenny Doty & Bill Nicks, for the initial placement and for the replacement of the wayside exhibit at Flat Rock Creek Crossing Park, near 103rd and Pflumm
2017—City of Overland Park, accepted by Mike Burton, for installing Local Tour Route signage through metro historic trail corridor
2017—City of Leawood, accepted by Brian Anderson, for installing Local Tour Route signage through metro historic trail corridor
2017—Kansas City Public Works, accepted by Masood Alemifar, for installing Local Trail Route signage through metro historic trail corridor
2017—City of Independence, accepted by Mayor Eileen Weir, for installing Local Trail Route signage through metro historic trail corridor
2018—Mid-America Regional Council (MARC), for working with the National Park Service to ensure development of more Metro Green hiking/biking trails within the historic trails corridor of the Kansas City metro area
2019—National Frontier Trails Museum, accepted by Ana Delgado, for partnering with Trails Head and other local and national trails groups, for helping to host meetings and conventions, for assisting with trail researchers, and for promoting preservation and awareness of local and national historic trail
2019—Lou Austin, (posthumous to brother John Schumacher), for his many years of promoting south Kansas City projects that created awareness of historic trails, including Hickman Mills school markers, Powder Mill Bridge, 3-Trails Memorial Highway Crossing, 3-Trails Transit Center, and recreational trails
PARTNERING IN JOINT ACTIVITIES
From its beginning, Trails Head has partnered with many historical entities when scheduling programs and events. As other trail organizations also developed, Trails Head has made a particular effort to partner with those trail organizations through joint meetings, tours, and projects.
Trails Head not only has promoted historic trails with historical and trail organizations, but also with cities, counties, school districts, and more. This has resulted in a growing awareness of historic trails, and thus more and more entities have installed trail signage, markers, art, etc. As a result, the Oregon-California Trails Assn., at the 2014 national convention, presented Trails Head Chapter with the President’s Award, an occasional OCTA award, for the promotion of partnering in the Greater Kansas City area.
Due to the amount of partnering over the years, any attempt to make a complete list of all the partnered activities with Trails Head and other organizations interested in historic trails would be incomplete. Nonetheless, the following is an attempt to delineate many of the partnered activities to show the reality of the long-time stance of Trails Head partnering with others interested in historic trails.
Sometimes the Trails Head partnering has involved only one other entity. At other times, the partnering has involved three or more groups interested in promoting historic trails.
Click on organizations listed below to see listings of joint activities.
Gateway Chapter of OCTA with TH
Trails Head was formed before Gateway Chapter. In the early years of Trails Head, St. Joseph OCTA members regularly participated in Trails Head activities. In fact, the first Trails Head vice president in 1986 was Rich Nolf, the then director of St. Joseph Museum.
Joint Meetings, Treks, & Tours with Gateway Chapter & TH
1989 Apr. 8—met at Ft. Leavenworth for bus tour of historic fort, followed by combined business meeting
1991 June 8—trek from St. Joseph, MO to Hollenberg Pony Express Station in north-central KS, with stops at St. Joseph Pony Express Museum, Marysville Pony Express Barn, Hollenberg Pony Express Station with active archaeological dig, & archaeological field lab at Hanover school; also invited St. Joseph Archaeological Society members
1992 June 13—trek from Kansas Museum in Topeka to Red Vermillion Crossing and Big Elm
1995 May 20—trek of river crossings in St. Joseph, MO area
1997 Apr. 20—car-caravan trek from Wayne City Landing Park to Independence Square & National Frontier Trail Museum
1998 Jan. 28—as a group, attended dramatic production “Across the Plains”, at Coterie Theater in Crown Center, in mid-town KCMO, along with members of Blue Rapids Preservation Society
1998 June 9—covered dish pioneer dinner at Krug Park in St. Joseph, MO
1999 Oct. 17—Gateway invited Trails Head on auto tour of Mosquito Creek, but Trails Head already had scheduled a trek for the day before, so this was not considered a joint trek
2001 May 19—tours of Independence facilities, including OCTA Headquarters, National Frontier Trails Center library & archives, and Bingham-Waggoner swales; then lunch at Court House Exchange on Independence Square; held joint meeting at OCTA Headquarters
Joint Projects between Gateway & TH
1988 Aug. 9-14—TH volunteers helped with Gateway-sponsored OCTA convention in St. Joseph, as tour guides (Jim Budde, Penny Kolliing, Jana Marshall, Ross Marshall, Darlene Peniston, & Francis Peniston), and as registration workers (Judy Budde & Penny Kolling)
1992—OCTA requested documentation of trail markers with text from southern Johnson County, KS to Kansas-Nebraska state line; Gateway assisted TH in documenting nine of the 64 markers, those in the Gateway area; Trails Head & OCTA had agreed to include ones in Johnson Co. with Santa Fe Trail te
1993 Oct. 24-27—Long-Distance Office of National Park Service and Trails Head co-sponsored 3rd National Conference on Scenic and Historic Trails, with theme “Connection—93”, at Camp MO-KAN Conference Center in Independence, with one day of all-day tours led by Gateway and TH
1995 Feb. & Mar.—beginning Feb. 27th, Trails Head team spent three days showing National Park Service team sites & route for development of California National Historic Trail Comprehensive Management and Use Plan, before handing NPS team to Gateway team that spent two days showing Pony Express Trail & St. Joe Road
2000 Aug 7 & 10—Gateway arranged for re-enactors at St. Joseph Riverfront Park for the two tours of river landings, and Gateway Jackie Lewin was a tour guide for this tour, during Trails Head-sponsored OCTA convention in Kansas City
2000 Aug. 9 & 11—Gateway arranged for St. Joseph Museum staff to put on storyliving workshop on Aug. 9; Gateway member Harmon Mothershead presented talk on Missouri River as a highway on Aug. 11; at Trails Head-sponsored OCTA convention in Kansas City
2006 Aug. 8-12—TH volunteers helped with Gateway-sponsored St. Joseph OCTA convention in various capacities; TH volunteers included Jim Budde, Judy Budde, Mary Conrad, Craig Crease, & Ross Marshall
2012 Aug. 7 & 9—for River Run to Ft. Leavenworth tour, Gateway provided Sarah Elder & Fred Sawin as tour guides since Gateway Jackie Lewin was tending to family medical issue, during Trails Head-sponsored convention in Lawrence
2012 Aug. 10—Gateway member Joe Houts spoke on the guerrilla massacres in both Kansas and Missouri during the Civil War, at Trails Head-sponsored OCTA convention in Lawrence
Missouri River Outfitters (MRO) of Santa Fe Trail Association with TH
In the Greater Kansas City area, the routes of the Oregon, California, and Santa Fe trails ran together on the same routes. Thus, from the start, Trails Head members were interested in the Santa Fe Trail, as well as the Oregon and California trails. In 1990, Trails Head sought to become both an OCTA chapter and a Santa Fe Trails Association (SFTA) chapter. The Oregon-California Trails Association (OCTA) Board at first approved the request, but then rescinded that approval. Within months, Jane Mallinson, a member of both OCTA and SFTA, shepherded the creation of a chapter of the Santa Fe Trail Association, with many members from the Kansas City area. This Missouri River Outfitters chapter continues to have a number of members who are also members of Trails Head.
Joint Treks with Missouri River Outfitters of SFTA & TH
1996 Apr. 20—trek from Lexington, MO to Independence Square
2006 Apr. 29—trek of Santa Fe Trail from Kansas City to west of Council Grove; MRO planned trek and invited Trails Head; some considered this a joint trek, & some did not
2015 May 12—trek from Old Franklin to Wayne City Landing, then through Independence and south on Blue Ridge with stop at Rice-Tremonti House
Awards Presented Jointly by Missouri River Outfitters of SFTA & TH
1996 May—presented certificates of appreciation to Raytown teachers (Debbie Boyles, Janie Heggam, & Carolyn Wren) for actively promoting historic trails in classrooms
1996 June 28—presented certificates of appreciation at a Mahaffie Farmstead pre-Bullwhacker Days concert, in Olathe, to Olathe School District; to Olathe school librarians Susie Bridson and Marilyn Peterson; to Olathe teachers Bill Oakley and Don Everhart; and to Friends of the Mahaffie Farmstead, City of Olathe, Olathe Historical Society, & Marlene Natoli of Olathe Parks & Recreation, for actively promoting historic trails in public venues and in schools
Joint Meetings with Missouri River Outfitters of SFTA & TH
1996 Feb. 18—MRO business meeting, at National Frontier Trails Center, then Pat Short spoke on research of her home east of Wm. Chrisman High School, in Independence; house apparently was home of overseer of Jabez Smith, the only incredibly large slave holder of Jackson County, MO; Jabez Smith was a financier of many endeavors, including trade on various historic trails
2005 Oct. 16—speaker Bob Dyer integrated history of steamboats on the Missouri River with the Santa Fe Trail and the Civil War, at National Frontier Trails Museum
2015 Mar. 28—after MRO business meeting, David Aamodt presented update on future plans to expand National Frontier Trails Museum, and Raymond Starzmann performed as Harry Truman, at National Frontier Trails Museum; after program, D. Aamodt gave guided tour of NFTM
Joint Projects between Missouri River Outfitters of SFTA & TH
1991—This is the year Missouri River Outfitters was formed. Trails Head executive committee voted that any MRO SFTA members could pay only $5 a year to receive Trails Head newsletters, if they did not wish to become OCTA members at that time. This was intended to familiarize those MRO and SFTA members with OCTA and Trails Head.
1996 June 6—public celebration of 175th Anniversary of Santa Fe Trail on 167th St., near Lone Elm DAR marker in Olathe, with Ross Marshall, Craig Crease, and Arnold Schofield as speakers, on significance of Santa Fe Trail and of Lone Elm campground; one of Kansas Historical Society-planned celebratory nights from June 3rd through July 14th, with local Trails Head and MRO co-hosting (Trails Head planned the evening, MRO provided many volunteers, including for management of parking.)
2015 Oct. 10—together staffed info table at Shawnee Indian Mission Fall Festival
Kansas City Area Historic Trails Association (KCAHTA) with TH
2005 Sept. 17—together staffed info table at 150th Anniversary of Johnson County, at celebration in Shawnee Mission Park
2006 to 2008—worked together with National Park Service on interpretive markers for newly named Sapling Grove Park at 82nd Terrace & Grant, with Parks Dept. of Overland Park; markers dedicated July 2008
2009 Oct. 25—together staffed info table at Westport for 175th Anniversary of Founding of Westport, plus Craig Crease & Ross Marshall gave walking tours to public
2018 Oct. 13-14—together staffed info table at Shawnee Indian Mission Fall Festival
Friends of National Frontier Trails Museum (NFTM) [originally called Natl. Frontier Trails Center] with TH
1991 Apr. 18—Friends of NFTC business meeting, followed by Trails Head business meeting, before Kathleen Tuohey spoke on restoration of Pitcher Cemetery beside Independence to Westport Road, at National Frontier Trails Center
1994 Jan. 20—Ross Marshall spoke on historical significance of State Line Road, at National Frontier Trails Centr
1995 Jan. 19—Mary Bywater Cross spoke on quilts taken on Oregon Trail and the ones made after arrival in Oregon, at National Frontier Trails Center
Friends of National Frontier Trails Museum & Missouri River Outfitters with TH
1993 Mar. 11—Bob Croft spoke on wagons of the trails, both for commerce & for emigrants, at NFTC; original date of Feb. 25 changed due to inclement weather
1995 Apr. 6—Ross Marshall spoke about survey of Santa Fe Trail in Osage, Wabaunsee, Lyons, and Morris counties in Kansas, at National Frontier Trails Center
1998 Sept. 17—Mary Conrad spoke about 1988 archaeology at Mahaffie Farmstead, at National Frontier Trails Center
1999 Sept. 16—Kevin Phillips spoke on relationship between steamboat traffic and wagon traffic, at National Frontier Trails Center
2000 Sept. 21—Mary Conrad spoke on archaeology at Oxford School, located at 135th and Mission Road in Johnson County, KS, at National Frontier Trails Center
Friends of National Frontier Trails Museum, MRO, & Missouri-Kansas River Bend Chapter of Lewis & Clark Foundation with TH
2002 May 16—Friends of NFTC business meeting included reports from MRO, Trails Head, and 3-Trails West (Lou Austin), before program on history of and plans for Wayne City Landing area by Jane Mallinson and Steve Kidwell
KCAHTA & MRO with TH
2004 Nov.—the three organizations agreed that each financially would support four trail initiatives, i. e. interpretive exhibits at new Lone Elm Park, interpretive exhibits at Trails Junction Park southwest of Gardner, Shawnee Indian Mission commemorative bricks, and trail workbooks for two Johnson County schools
2006 Aug. 21—held a joint meeting for presentation of MRO awards to many that played key roles in completing the Gardner Junction Park, at Gardner City Hall; the planned car caravan to see newly installed interpretive exhibits was cancelled due to conflicts
2008 to 2012—worked together with Parks Dept. of Overland Park & National Park Service to create four wayside exhibits in Strang Park, with Dick Nelson as Trails Head representative at meetings; marker dedicated Apr. 2012
2015 Aug. 29—met for update on 3-Trails Corridor, with Larry Short speaking on progress of route signage in Jackson County, and Lou Austin on his many projects in south Kansas City, at Trailside Center in KCMO
2016 Mar. 26—1st had MRO business meeting; after Lou Austin spoke on the use of history in the development of South Kansas City, at Austin’s office, Austin led walking tour along East Bannister Road to Powder Mill Bridge
2017 June 3—all three co-hosted trail rendezvous of historic trail partners at Lone Elm Park, in Olathe
2018 June 2—all three co-hosted trail rendezvous of historic trail partners at Lone Elm Park, in Olathe
2018 Dec. 1—holiday luncheon at Ophelia’s on Independence Square, followed by sharing of activities
2019 June 1—bus tour from Old Franklin to Ft. Osage & Independence, with Ross Marshall as tour guide
2019 Dec. 7—holiday luncheon at Drumm Farm School, followed by sharing of activities, in Independence, MO
KCAHTA, MRO, & Daughters of American Revolution with TH
2012 Nov. 10—1st Trails Head business meeting; then trail symposium planned by Trails Head, KCAHTA, & MRO, plus DAR invited to attend, at Mahaffie Farmstead and Stagecoach Stop, in Olathe; after many talks before and after lunch, Tim Talbott of Mahaffie gave a presentation of oxen in pen before giving tour of house
KCAHTA, MRO, & Missouri-Kansas River Bend Chapter of Lewis & Clark with TH
2016 June 6-9—co-hosted National Historic Trails Workshop of Partnership for National Trail System, at Stoney Creek Hotel and Conference Center, in Independence
KCAHTA, MRO, Missouri-Kansas River Bend Chapter of Lewis & Clark, & Friends of NFTM with TH
2020 June 6—met together for National Trails Day, with morning and afternoon speakers at National Frontier Trails Museum, in Independence
KCAHTA, MRO, & Douglas County Chapter of SFTA with TH
2016 Sept. 18—speaker Joy Poole on diaries and autobiography of Dr. Rowland Willard on Santa Fe Trail, at The Lodge in Baldwin City, KS
Historical Society of New Santa Fe with TH
1993 Feb. 27—Trails Head, OCTA, and HSNSF sponsored forum on Watts Mill site, at St. Joseph Health Center Community Auditorium
1993 Apr. 24—clean-up day at Watts Mill, and another clean-up day later in spring, as preparing for early June festival
1993 June 6—National Trail Day Festival at Watts Mill; on Sunday, not Saturday; co-sponsored by Trails Head, Historical Society of New Santa Fe, KC Parks Dept., & South Kansas City Chamber of Commerce
2006 & continuing—Trails Head began holding some of its meetings at Trailside Center, a meeting place owned by KCMO and managed by Historical Society of New Santa Fe
2019 Nov. & continuing—working toward restoration of Oregon Trail sign, originally placed at 123rd & State Line in 1985
Historical Society of New Santa Fe & Missouri River Outfitters with TH
1997 to 1999—In 1996, Trails Head began considering placing a marker near the swales in Minor Park. Jim Budde checked on possibilities for a recessed bronze plaque, and Ross Marshall provided a possible text. By 1997, this project had morphed into the desire for a National Park Service-designed interpretive marker in Minor Park. Three organizations then worked together to provide ideas of pictures and of texts to the National Park Service. For this joint effort, Mary Conrad was Trails Head representative, Anne Mallinson was MRO rep, & Nancy Henning was HSNSF rep; interpretive marker was dedicated in April 2000
KCAHTA, MRO, Friends of NFTM, DAR, & Historical Society of New Santa Fe with TH
2006 Apr. 20—Trails Head President Pat Traffas arranged meeting for informal sharing of plans and projects to encourage partnering on projects, at new Trailside Center in Kansas City, MO
KCAHTA, MRO, OCTA, & SFTA with TH
2019 June 19—historic trail leaders met to discuss partnering for meetings, projects, and signage, at Raytown Historical Society Museum
Avila History Club with TH
1988 Apr. 21—co-sponsored talk by Charlie Martin, Sr. of Nebraska on Pony Express Trail, at Whitefield Hall of Avila College
Western Historical Manuscripts Collection of Kansas City with TH
1994 Oct. 29—co-sponsored historic trail symposium, with KSHS Bob Richmond as moderator, held in UMKC School of Education building; planned by Trails Head Jim Budde & Barbara Magerl
Friends of Chicago & Alton Railroad Depot with TH
1998 Apr. 14—joint meeting with Trails Head member Jim Lee speaking on history of Union Depot of early Kansas City, at National Frontier Trails Center in Independence
Shawnee Indian Mission Historic Site with TH
2007—Trails Head members assisted Shawnee Indian Mission staff in completion of Trails Room on 2nd floor of East Building
OCTA Kanza Chapter with TH
1997 July 13—Kanza invited Trails Head on Oregon Trail auto tour from St. Marys, KS to Alcove Spring and onto Hollenberg Pony Express Station; this was not considered a joint trek
1998 Aug. (during Aug. 12-15)—joint chapter meeting at OCTA convention in Pendleton, Oregon, with Kanza President Ken Martin and Trails Head immediate Past President Mary Conrad co-presiding, while TH Pres. Judy Budde worked in book room
2000 Aug. 9—Kanza members put on workshop about mapping emigrant trails, at the 2000 Trails Head-sponsored OCTA convention in Kansas City
2002 May 18—Kanza member Glenn Larson led mapping workshop for Trails Head members, at OCTA Headquarters, in Independence, MO
2003 Aug. 11-16—Trails Head volunteered as trail guides and worked with speakers, raffle, etc., at Kanza-sponsored OCTA convention in Manhattan, KS; TH volunteers included Bob Boland, Jim Budde, Judy Budde, Mary Conrad, Ross Marshall, Ryan Marshall, & Dick Nelson
2017 Aug. 11—joint chapter meeting at OCTA Council Bluffs convention with TH President Jean Coupal-Smith presiding
OCTA Nebraska Chapter with TH
1995 Aug. 9-12—TH members volunteered for Nebraska Chapter at OCTA Grand Island convention, at sales (Elaine McNabney), at raffle (Judy Budde, Mary Conrad, & Charlene Duncan), and as tour guides (Jim Budde & Ross Marshall)
Three OCTA Chapters (Kanza, Gateway, & Trails Head)
2007 May 5-6—mapping, marking, monitoring workshop, with OCTA & National Park Service, at Kanwaka Community Center, west of Lawrence, on Saturday; and visited four nearby landowners on Sunday
2018 Mar. 31—leaders of each of three chapters gave summaries of chapter activities before program; archaeologist Susan Holland spoke on protohistoric Wichita Indians of central Kansas before switching to second topic of Southwestern petroglyphs, at Great Overland Station in north Topeka
2019 Sept.6—joint chapter meeting of three chapters at OCTA convention in Santa Fe, with TH President Lila Aamodt presiding
Four OCTA Chapters (Kanza, Gateway, Nebraska, & Trails Head)
1997 Mar. 9—joint meeting & dinner of four chapters, at National Guard Armory, in Marysville, KS, planned by Kanza; speakers were Jackie Lewin, Ross Marshall, Jere Krakow, & Kay Threlkeld; four Trails Head members attended
1998 Mar. 8—2nd time Kanza called for four-chapter dinner & meeting
1999 Mar. 14—3rd time Kanza called for four-chapter dinner & meeting, at National Guard Armory, in Marysville, KS, to celebrate 150th Anniversary of California Gold Rush
Long-Distance Trails Office of National Park Service with TH
1993 Oct. 24-27—co-sponsored 3rd National Conference on Scenic and Historic Trails, with theme “Connection—93”, at Camp MO-KAN Conference Center, in Independence, with one day of all-day treks led by Gateway & TH
Consortium Partnered to Develop Wayne City Landing Overlook
2002 through 2009—Wayne City Landing (Upper Independence Landing) first was marked with one granite marker. Later, the overlook, on private land of Lafarge cement company, was further developed with interpretive markers, plantings, sidewalks, and parking lot. Numerous groups raised money and developed plans for this expanded mini-park. All those who provided expertise and/or money are listed below.
Lafarge North American, Inc.
Sugar Creek Business & Civic Club
Kansas City 150th Anniversary Legacy Fund
U.S. National Park Service
Independence Pioneers Chapter-Daughters of American Revolut
Missouri State Society of Daughters of American Revolution
Independence Young Matrons
Kansas City Area Historic Trails Association
Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Commission
Trails Head Chapter of OCTA
Missouri River Outfitters of SFTA
The Mallinson Family
Susan Julian Davis
Rendezvous with Many Trail & Historical Organizations
Trails Head President Pat Traffas, along with Ross Marshall, invited nearly 20 historical and trail organizations to the first rendezvous at the new Lone Elm Park in 2006. The purpose of these local National Trail Day events is to promote partnering in regards to historic trails.
2006 June 10—Trails Head hosted the first historic trail rendezvous at Lone Elm Park, in Olathe.
2008 June 7—Trails Head hosted the second historic trail rendezvous at Lone Elm Park, in Olathe
2010 June 5—Trails Head hosted the 3rd historic trail rendezvous at Lone Elm Park, in Olath
2017 June 3—Trails Head, MRO, and KCAHTA co-hosted the 4th historic trail rendezvous at Lone Elm Park, in Olathe.
2018 June 2—Trails Head, MRO, and KCAHTA co-hosted the 5th historic trail rendezvous at Lone Elm Park, in Olathe.
Johnson County Kansas Heritage Foundation
In November 2014, initial plans were formulated to create a new organization to advocate for the preservation of Johnson County, Kansas heritage. This new group hoped to develop a new grants program to support preservation initiatives in the said Kansas county. By January 2017, JCKHF was registered with the State of Kansas. KCAHTA, MRO, and Trails Head all were members from the beginning. The following is a list of the JCKHF affiliate members.
Kansas City Area Historic Trails Association
Missouri River Outfitters of SFTA
Trails Head Chapter of OCTA
Mid-America Nazarene University
Overland Park Historical Society
Stilwell Community Organization
Leawood Historic Commission
Monticello Community Historical Society
Olathe Historical Society
Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop & Farm Historic Site
Freedom’s Frontier National Heritage Area
Gardner Historical Museum, Inc.
Shawnee Mission Indian Historical Society
Lenexa Historical Society
De Soto Kansas Historical Society
Museum of Deaf History, Arts & Culture
3-Trails Corridor Partnership
In early 2015, the 3-Trails Partnership was formed specifically to promote developments within the 3-Trails Corridor of the Kansas City area. One of the immediate goals was to assess the status of hiking and biking trails in the Greater Kansas City area along the 3-Trails Corridor, from Wayne City Landing to the Gardner Junction Park, and then to promote development of more such trails to complete a continuous corridor of hiking and biking trails. The Partnership also wanted to promote the completion of posting retracement trail signs along roads, so that anyone could travel from Wayne City area to Gardner Junction, as close as possible to the original historic trail routes, by following those signs. Yet another goal was added when Jackson County and the Kansas City Area Transit Authority purchased the Old Rock Island Railroad right of way. With that purchase, completion of the Katy Trail to about Arrowhead Stadium would allow yet further public access to the 3-Trails Corridor, as such a Katy extension would cross hiking and biking trails in the historic trails corridor.
The National Park Service and the Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) became the leaders in this 3-Trails Corridor Partnership. More opportunities for the public to learn of historic trails will be enhanced greatly when the following three goals would be completed: (1) completion of continuous hiking/biking trails from Wayne City Landing to Gardner Junction Park, (2) completion of installment of retracement trail road signs, also from Wayne City site to Gardner Junction Park, and (3) completion of Katy Trail west to connect with hiking/biking trails in the 3-Trails Corridor.
A partial listing of the partners in this 3-Trails Corridor Partnership includes the following: National Park Service; Mid-America Regional Council (MARC); Oregon-California Trails Assn.; Santa Fe Trail Assn.; Trails Head Chapter of OCTA; Missouri River Outfitters of SFTA; Kansas City Area Historic Trails Assn.; cities of Sugar Creek, Independence, KCMO, Leawood, and Overland Park; Barnes Enclosure/Cave Spring Historic Site; Jackson County Parks + Rec; Trailside Center; South Kansas City Alliance PIAC; Historical Society of New Santa Fe; Cerner Corporation; KCMO Public Works; and Kansas City Area Transit Authority.
The promotion of the goals of the 3-Trails Corridor Partnership involves lots of behind-the-scenes cooperation, as well as meetings of the partners. Meetings have continued after the first large gatherings of partners. Those early large gatherings occurred at the following times.
2015 Mar. 21—gathered at National Frontier Trails Museum for introductions and to agree on a vision for the historic trails corridor.
2015 Aug. 16-21—throughout week, partners met at various locations, including at Mid-America Regional Council office, to continue to develop ways to implement the vision for the historic trails corridor.
DETAILED SUMMARIES OF TRAILS HEAD HISTORY
Trails Head member Ross Marshall was involved with Trails Head since even before its inception, that is, during the planning meetings leading up to the creation of the chapter. Marshall used minutes, notes, clippings, oral histories, newsletters, and other resources to compile a detailed history of the first 30-plus years of the chapter. Marshall’s history follows.
If you wish to learn of these details in a narrative fashion, click on the years of your interest.
Trails Head History Covering Our Founding Up to 1988
Trails Head History…1988-1990
Trails Head History…1991-1995
Trails Head History…1996-2000
Trails Head History…2001-2005
Trails Head History…2006-2010
Trails Head History…2011-2015
Trails Head History…2016-2020
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TRAILS HEAD ORAL HISTORY PROJECT
In her first “President’s Column” in the February 1996 chapter newsletter, Mary Conrad proposed that oral histories of early Trails Head leaders should be conducted. Trails Head members and professional archivists, Niel Johnson and Harold Smith, agreed to conduct these audio interviews. They interviewed ten leaders from July 1996 through May 1998. Through the coordination of Trails Head member Sandy Wiechert, the resulting audio tapes were transcribed in 2013 and 2014 by Jewell Willhite of Lawrence. The tapes also were re-created on CDs at that time. Long-time chapter member Ross Marshall then provided clarifying notations within the resulting transcripts.
If you wish to read any of these transcripts, click on the appropriate line below.
Interview with Barbara Bernauer
Interview with Jim Budde
Interview with Pauline Fowler
Interview with John Leamon
Interview with James Lee
Interview with Barbara Magerl
Interview with Ross Marshall
Interview with Sylvia Mooney
Interview with Rich Nolf
Interview with Duke Sumonia