Other
U.s. Route 40: History of Route 40
The history of U.S. Route 40, including the development of predecessor roads such as colonial roads, the national road, pioneer trails, and various highways.
Other
U.s. Route 40: History of Route 40
The history of U.S. Route 40, including the development of predecessor roads such as colonial roads, the national road, pioneer trails, and various highways.
Curated OER
Etc: Oregon Trail and Other Routes, 1832 1842
A map of western North America between the opening of the Oregon Trail in 1832 to 1842, prior to the establishment of the Provisional Government of Oregon by American settlers in 1843. The map shows the boundary of the Oregon Country,...
Curated OER
Etc: Santa Fe and Oregon Trails to the Pacific Coast, 1840 1850
A map of the western United States in 1840-1850 showing the Oregon Trail and Santa Fe, the two principal overland routes from Independence, Missouri, to the western territories and the Pacific. The map shows the territory boundaries,...
Digital History
Digital History: Trailblazing
Read about two of the trails used for both commerce and settlement. Many hardships had to be endured on both trails.
PBS
Pbs: Prelude to War: Trade Routes Between Usa and Mexico
An examination of the historical background of the trade and commerce routes between early national Mexico and the United States.
Ducksters
Ducksters: New Mexico State History for Kids
Investigate the history and timeline of the state of New Mexico including early explorers, Native Americans, Spanish settlers, the Santa Fe Trail, and the Wild West on this website.
Curated OER
Etc: Maps Etc: The System of Communication, Western United States, 1850
The chief systems of overland travel and communication during the middle nineteenth century including railroads, stage lines, and trails (Oregon Trail, Spanish Trail, Santa Fe Trail, and the Route of the Forty-niners). The system of...
Curated OER
Educational Technology Clearinghouse: Maps Etc: Trade and Migration, 1840 1850
A map of the United States showing the principal trade and westward migration routes between 1840 and 1850. The map shows state and territory boundaries at the time, major cities, ports, outposts, forts, and settlements, rivers, mountain...
Curated OER
Etc: Principal Routes of Trade and Migration, 1840 1850
A map of the United States between 1840 and 1850 showing the states and territories, and the principal routes of transportation and westward migration during the period. The map shows frontier forts, outposts, and settlements, the...
Curated OER
Wikipedia: National Historic Landmarks in New Mexico: Raton Pass
Mountain pass on the Santa Fe Trail along the Colorado-New Mexico border. Also in Colorado.
Curated OER
Wikipedia: National Historic Landmarks in Missouri: Arrow Rock
The crossing of the Missouri River at Arrow Rock, which was recorded in the 1700s, played an important role in early explorations, such as the Lewis and Clark expedition in 1804, that led to the opening of the American West. A ferry was...
Curated OER
Wikipedia: National Historic Landmarks in Kansas: Fort Larned
From 1860 until 1878, this was the most important fort guarding the northern portion of the Santa Fe Trail. Abandoned, the fort became private property and the center of a large ranching operation. It has been restored to the 1860s...
Curated OER
Wikipedia: Natl Historic Landmarks in New Mexico: Fort Union Natl Monument
Preserves the second of three forts constructed on the site beginning in 1851; also ruins of the third; visible network of ruts from the old Santa Fe Trail.
Curated OER
Wikipedia: National Historic Landmarks in Kansas: Fort Leavenworth
This fort has been in continuous occupation by the United States Army since it was first established in 1827 to protect caravans on the Santa Fe Trail. It played a pivotal roles in the Mexican and Civil Wars, and it became the temporary...
Curated OER
Wikipedia: National Historic Landmarks in New Mexico: Wagon Mound
Landmark on the Santa Fe Trail.
Curated OER
Wikipedia: National Historic Landmarks in Colorado: Bent's Old Fort
Adobe fort built in 1833 to trade with Plains Indians and trappers, on Santa Fe Trail.
Curated OER
Wikipedia: National Historic Landmarks in New Mexico: Watrous
Mountain and Cimarron Cutoff routes of Santa Fe Trail joined here.
Curated OER
Etc: Mountain Passes & Overland Routes in the West, 1841 1850
A map of the Pacific region of the United States west of the Rocky Mountains in 1841-1850. The map shows the Old Spanish Trail from Los Angeles to Santa Fe, the Pioneer Route from the Platte River to San Francisco, the routes of Fremont...