Passport to Your National Parks

Located just off of 3-Trails Crossing Memorial Highway in the heart of the historic 3-Trails Corridor, Trailside Center provides resources for trail and civil war aficionados, historians, and the Kansas City community. Few visitors realize that the communities that established in this area in the early 1830s were situated at the western edge of the United States until Kansas Territory was established in 1854. 

This 19-mile trail, between Murphy and Conestoga Trailheads, parallels the original Santa Fe National Historical Trail and allows visitors to experience what life may have been like for early trail travelers. Limestone posts help mark the original trail and interpretive signs explain its history.

Boggsville was once a stage stop on the Santa Fe Trail. Key businesses there were trading stores, owned by Thomas O. Boggs (built in 1862) and John W. Prowers (built in 1867). Boggsville became the seat of Bent County in 1870, but the coming of the railroad to nearby Las Animas brought about the town's downfall by 1880.

Timpas Creek was the first source of water for Santa Fe National Historic Trail travelers after leaving the Arkansas River heading southwest. Between 1869 and 1871 the Metcalf Ranch, previously located at this site, served as a stage coach station. A 1/2-mile loop nature trail will take you to Timpas Creek and back.

Stop by and enjoy many photos and artifacts of the Santa Fe Trail, especially those from the Las Vegas, New Mexico area. The Santa Fe Trail Interpretive center located in the Bridge Street Historic District can provide visitors with an in-depth history of the Santa Fe Trail through books, brochures and original photos of many interesting locations and events along the trail. Visit with the knowledgeable staff who can describe each photo and its importance.

You can almost hear the whoops and cries of "All's set!" as trail hands hitched their oxen to freight wagons carrying cargo between western Missouri and Santa Fe, New Mexico. Follow the Santa Fe National Historic Trail through five states and you'll find adventure and evidence of past travelers who made this remarkable trip before you! The Santa Fe Trail is administered by the National Trails Office Regions 6|7|8 in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Since 1610, this block-long, one-story adobe building has housed the offices and living quarters of 58 Spanish Colonial Governors, 16 Mexican Governors, four military and three civilian governors during U.S. rule, and 17 Territorial Governors. The building endured the 1680 Pueblo Indian Revolt; the 1692-1693 Spanish reconquest; the 1846 arrival of Brigadier General Kearny; and the 1862 invasion of Texas Confederate Troops.

For Santa Fe National Historic Trail travelers heading south, the changing horizon from plains to mountains was a major milestone on their journey. One of their guiding landmarks was the distant Spanish Peaks, which came into view along this section of the trail. A short walk up the side of a bluff will give you a commanding view of the Rocky Mountains and surrounding prairie. A view very similar to that seen by early travelers.

The historic trails passed through this area in the field that is directly across from the National Frontier Trails Museum. Evidence of the trails can still be seen in the field in the form of swales, which marks the exact route used by emigrants as they traveled westward. The museum is currently temporarily located at 416 W. Maple Ave., Independence, MO 64050.

Historic Truman Courthouse is the official start of the Oregon Trail, where wagons were outfitted through much of the emigration era. The original building on the site went up in 1836 in the Colonial Revival style.