New Franklin and the eastern origin of the Santa Fe Trail

The Santa Fe Trail was a long overland trade route. People used it in the early 1800s to haul goods to the Southwest. The trail is usually said to start near a town called Franklin, on the Missouri River, in what is now Howard County. The first Franklin sat down in the low land by the river. Over time the river moved and the town was lost. A new town, New Franklin, was built nearby on higher ground. This ties the county to a famous trail story. It also helps explain the old trail markers and place names you see around the area. The National Park Service runs the Santa Fe National Historic Trail. It is the best source for the route and its known sites. The State Historical Society of Missouri can add local detail. To be sure how Old Franklin, New Franklin, and the trail’s starting point all fit together, check with the local office first.