"The warmest description will scarce convey to the untraveled readers even a faint picture of this very
beautiful grove…A crystal stream meanders over its pebbly bottom while the sun blazes upon the
surrounding desert we sat...fished, bathed, read, sang, talked of home, and of the strange country
we were about to visit, of the wild travel we had yet to encounter."
— Matt Field, Council Grove, 1839
Points of Interest:
Santa Fe Trail Historical Society of Douglas County Kansas
Events:
The Douglas County Chapter of the Santa Fe Trail Association is bringing the Santa Fe Trail 200th Timeline Exhibit to Baldwin City, KS!
The exhibit will be on display at the Lumberyard Arts Center June 1-14, 2022. The Lumberyard Arts Center is located at 718 High St, Baldwin City, KS 66006 and is open Tuesday through Friday, 1-5 p.m., Saturday, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. and is closed on Sunday and Monday.
Developed by the Santa Fe Trail Association for the commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the opening of the Santa Fe Trail, the Timeline is 20 feet long, eight feet high and features over 150 significant places, people, and events, with illustrations and brief commentary. It begins with the arrival of Spanish colonists in New Mexico in 1598 and highlights specific events throughout the historic time-period of usage of the Santa Fe Trail. It also traces the recognition of the old trail into the 21st century, with a focus given to the inception of the Santa Fe Trail Association in 1986 and the establishment of the Santa Fe National Historic Trail as part of the National Trails System in 1987.
Special thanks and appreciations is given to Michael Stubbs and the Wabaunsee County Historical Society for their assistance in creating the exhibit, and to the National Park Foundation for their assistance in funding the graphic design files.
2021: Pictured Left to Right: Roger Boyd, President Douglas County Chapter of the Santa Fe Trail Association (SFTA) and lead for this project; Christine Day, SFTA Vice-President; Janet Armstead, Director of Jr. Wagon Master program & Education Committee Chair for SFTA; Sandra Slusher, SFTA Board Member; Deb Goodrich, Santa Fe Trail 200th & Publicity Committee Chair; and Larry Short, President, SFTA.