 Lewis and Papa, Adventure on the Santa Fe Trail
The Santa Fe Trail, opened in 1821, was one of the longest commercial routes in the United States before the railroads. This was a traders' trail, rarely used by families. Men were willing to risk their lives in hopes of making their fortunes. The trail began in Independence, Missouri and ended in Santa Fe, New Mexico, a total of almost 800 miles. Between 1822 and 1843, an average of 80 wagons and 150 people used the trail yearly. By the late 1860's, more than 5,000 wagons used the trail yearly. In 1880, the arrival of the railroad marked the end of the Santa Fe Trail.
Travelers had to plan for a journey of two to three months, averaging 12 to 20 miles a day. Most began in spring so as to cross the Rockies before snowfall. They had to bring plenty of supplies because there were few places to buy goods along the way. Traders often swapped or sold food, clothing, and firearms among themselves. Most of them used canvas-covered wagons pulled by oxen or mules. The wagons, called "prairie schooners," resembled the huge Conestoga covered wagons but were smaller and sleeker and looked like the sails of a ship. Painted pictures and slogans adorned many wagons.
Corn and meat were the basic foods, including wild game and fish caught along the way. Pioneers ground corn into meal to make ashcake, hoecake, johnnycake, or corn pone. They knew how to keep meat from spoiling by cutting it into strips, which were dried in the sun, smoked, salted or kept in brine. They encountered Native Americans, huge buffalo herds, abundant wildlife and awesome canyons and mountains. Life was hard and many died along the trail.
Flags
The Birchbark House by Louise Erdrich The Borning Room by Paul Fleischman Addie Across the Prairie by Laurie Lawlor Westering by Alice Putnam |
Related Activity
 Covered Wagon Activity Links An edutainment game based on the Santa Fe Trail: Edutainment Game For numerous additional links about the Santa Fe Trail: Santa Fe Trail Links |
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