Santa Fe Trail

Saline County's Santa Fe Trail

by Jack Harvey

The Santa Fe Trail originated in New Franklin, Missouri and Arrow Rock,

Missouri. The Trail traversed through the central section of Saline County.

Travelers spent either their first night or second night, depending on

departure time and speed of travel, at Indian Springs and Harvey Springs

located on 275th Road east of Highway 41 North. Located near these

Springs are the Weinreich Ruts.

The Trail came down a sloped embankment resulting in the ruts. Present

day reveals a deep depression where the ruts once existed. The Trail led

to a crossing point on Harvey Creek that was in close proximity to the

Springs. Indian Springs, the largest of the two Springs, flows at a rate of

approximately 30 gallons per minute. Harvey Springs located

approximately 600 feet north of Indian Springs flows at approximately 5

gallons per minute. Both Springs flow year round with minimal reduction in

flow regardless of the dryness of the region. The Springs flow into Harvey

Creek which flows to the south into Salt Fork Creek. Both Springs had

supplied water to indigenous tribes for centuries that proved to be a reliable

source of water for the Santa Fe Trail travelers.

Travelers and wagons leaving this site would travel west on the Trail into

the tall prairie grass plains with its vastness and flat topography near the

present day town of Malta Bend. Travelers followed the Trail approximately

20 miles west to the town of Grand Pass and there once again they

camped around a spring located at the base of the Missouri River bluff.

From Grand Pass, travelers and wagons laden with possessions traveled

into Lafayette County near Waverly, Missouri and on to Independence,

Missouri where final preparations were made and supplies purchased for

the arduous journey west.

The Santa Fe Trail (Saline County) is sponsored by the Santa Fe Trail

Association and others.

Recent Posts