"This is an exciting moment. Every window sash is raised, and anxious faces appear watching
with interest the departure...Accidents are very apt to occur on the occasion of a setting out."
-Matt Field, on leaving Independence in 1839
Click map for larger version for print...please be patient with large file size.
Points of Interest:
MRO Facebook page National Frontier Trails Museum Harley Park Overlook
Arrow Rock Trading Post Arrow Rock State Historical Site Boone's Lick State Historic Site
Osage Nation Arrow Rock Ferry Landing Old Franklin Site
Fort Osage Santa Fe Spring Santa Fe Park
Recent Chapter Activities
The Missouri River Outfitters have worked actively with SFTA and the National Park Service to add new signage over the past couple of years along the Santa Fe National Historic Trail. Over the past 2 years we have worked with the County Commissioners in Saline and Lafayette Counties in Missouri to install the local tour route signs along the county roads. Newly installed signs follow the Trail from Missouri Hwy 41 just north of Marshall, MO, west past the Weinreich Ruts and continue to follow the original Santa Fe Trail to just north of Malta Bend, MO. In Lafayette County, MO, signs were installed starting just west of Waverly, MO and follow the original route for 3.5 miles before returning to Missouri Hwy 24. Signs were placed in western Lafayette County from Missouri State Road 131 west to the Lafayette/Jackson County Line following over 7 miles of original trail.
In 2015 the MRO Chapter worked closely with the Trails Head Chapter of OCTA to install the local tour route signs from the Upper Independence/Wayne City Landing on the Missouri River southwest to New Santa Fe at the Missouri/Kansas State line. Along the route historic site signs were placed at the Archibald Rice Home and Cave Spring at the Barnes Enclosure in Raytown, and the Wieduwilt Swales at 95th and Manchester in South Kansas City.
A major project in our area was the completion of the Powder Mill Bridge which crosses I-435 at Bannister Road in South Kansas City, MO. This is the longest pedestrian bridge crossing a major interstate in the United States that is solely dedicated to the National Historic Trails.
As we move forward in the years to come MRO is dedicated to promoting the Santa Fe National Historic Trail through new signage, education programs, and improving public awareness of the importance of this historic trail.
2023 President Larry Short approved the replacement wayside for the Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop & Farm in Olathe. The original was faded and we needed to add the Oregon and California Trails with the Santa Fe Trail. All three National Historic Trails came across the Mahaffie Farm on the Westport Routes. Plan a visit soon to this great historic site owned and managed by the Olathe Parks Department.
