But by 1821 Mexico had broken free of Spanish rule. As an independent nation Mexico welcomed American traders. Soon could be seen long caravans of wagons and pack mules crossing the Great Plains, in the future state of Kansas, to the Great Bend of the Arkansas River. Following this waterway the traders entered the part of Kansas that would become Colorado as they wound their way over the rocky summit of Raton Pass. It was a long and dangerous journey but at last they would reach their destination. And so, the Santa Fe Trail was born.
To further explore the Santa Fe Trail and the adventures of Zebulon Pike on the Internet see:
Santa Fe Trail History http://www.ukans.edu/heritage/trails/sft... This site presents not only a history of the trail but also a time-line of events from 1821 through 1872.
Zebulon Montgomery Pike http://dlwgraphics.com/mnpike2.htm Here is more on the adventures of Pike as well as a picture of him, and many modern-day photos of places he explored.
Don't Forget to Visit Our SUITE 101 UNIVERSITY: your place for online learning! A new course has been added and is now in progress: THE GREAT AMERICAN WEST, 1861 to 1876, written and instructed by Mary Trotter Kion. http://www.suite101.com/course.cfm/17161...
The major printed sources for this article are:
The Spanish West, published by Time-Life Books, New York, 1976.
Trails West, published by National Geographic Society, Washington, D. C., 1979.
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