Membership
Meetings and/or field trips are held usually the second Saturday of the month from September to May. A variety of educational programs are offered focusing on people, places and events that occurred along the western portion of the Trail. The chapter has over 75 members, and we invite anyone interested to join us in the enjoyment and protection of this wonderful historic legacy so vital to the history of New Mexico!
Membership in the End-Of-The-Trail Chapter, download a chapter membership application, click here.
History of the End-Of-The-Trail Chapter
The End of the Trail Chapter derives its name as a result of Santa Fe serving as the western terminus of the Santa Fe Trail and the northern destination of El Camino Real de la Tierra Adentro (The Royal Road to the Interior). The chapter is an affiliate of the Santa Fe Trail Association (SFTA), whose purpose is to preserve, protect, educate and promote the public awareness of the Santa Fe Trail. We concentrate our efforts on the Santa Fe Trail and its sites west of the Pecos River. These goals - to identify, preserve and mark the Trail for future generations; and to educate ourselves and our children in its history - are universal for all chapters in the Association. The development of a multi-cultural society at the end of the trail, why it happened, and why we are here today, however, is unique to our chapter.
As we research the histories of those who used the Trail, there is no limit to the discoveries of diverse uses and the diversity of the users. As the chapter at the end of the trail, we have the distinct advantage of being a crossroads of the Camino Real to Mexico and the Old Spanish Trail to California, in addition to the Santa Fe Trail, which brings us additional opportunities to discover more about those uses and users.
Lastly, the Chapter and the Association are committed to a cooperative partnership with the National Park Service and other conservation groups to preserve the Santa Fe National Historic Trail as a permanent legacy for the future.
Members benefits include bi-monthly meetings that include field trips, lectures, and presentations pertinent to the purposes of the chapter, as well as a bi-monthly newsletter.
All members are required to maintain membership in the SFTA, which includes the quarterly newsletter, Wagon Tracks, a biennial symposium in odd numbered years, and a membership meeting or “rendezvous” in even numbered years in Larned, Kansas.
Location and Directions
The chapter boundaries range from San Miguel del Vado on the Pecos River westward to the city of Santa Fe, NM.
Points of Interest
A few of the many sites of interest along the Santa Fe Trail within the chapter area.
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Chapter Activities
Journey’s End, a collaborative artwork by sculptor Reynaldo “Sonny” Rivera and landscape architect Richard Botkovetz, commemorates the struggle, drama and history that was and it the Santa Fe Trail. The 56 foot long bronze monument portrays the lead wagon of a typical caravan as it makes it final approach into Santa Fe and incorporates numerous life size figures of men, women, children and their pets greeting the caravan’s arrival.
Members of the End of the Trail Chapter served as consultants to the public art project which was dedicated in 2003. Funding for the artwork came from a Scenic Byway grant to commemorate and preserve the history of the Santa Fe Trail. The City of Santa Fe contributed funds from its 1% for the Public Art Fund and Capital Improvements Program. The Museum of New Mexico contributed land for the site which is in close proximity to Santa Fe Trail Ruts.
The monument is situated at the intersection of Camino Lejo and Old Santa Fe Trail near Museum Hill in Santa Fe.
The End of the Trail Chapter members, Joy Poole, Mike Pitel and Ron Winters recently contributed to an article about the chapter, the Santa Fe Trail and the Association for New Mexico Homes. The article can be found at: http://www.newmexicohomes.com/articles/santa-fe-trail-association
Chapter member, Mike Pitel, has created two brochures to help visitors enjoy historic areas in Santa Fe. Click on the following to view, or print out: