Minor Park Wagon Swales

Red Bridge Road east of Holmes Road
Kansas City, Missouri 64131

From 1821 until the 1870s when the railroads were completed, a person could stand in the midst of what is now Minor Park at Holmes Road and 110th streets, and watch the wagon trains go by. That area was part of the highway to the West: the Santa Fe, Oregon and California Trails.

Thousands of pioneers and gold prospectors passed that way. Their wagons, pulled by oxen or mules, carried everything they owned--and enough food to last several months. Many had to walk as there was no room in the wagon to ride.

There were lumbering freight wagons headed for Santa Fe, New Mexico. They carried tons of trade goods: bolts of fabric, boxes of tools and cookware. On a return trip a trader might carry coins, silver bars or gold dust--payment for goods sold.

Most of these travelers, having left Independence, Missouri, that morning, met their first major obstacle at the Blue River. Until 1859 there was no bridge. Crossing the river was hard on people and equipment. Wagons often stopped there to repair a broken axle or camp for the night.

The weight of the wagons, plus the multitudes of emigrants, traders and animals, left their mark in the land. The ruts, also known as swales, are still visible today.

A pink granite DAR marker was erected in about 1909 to commemorate the historic site.

Trail Remnants

The National Park Service certified the large swale in Minor Park of Kansas City Missouri Parks and Recreation as part of the officially mapped National Historic Trail System.

On April 11, 2000, this beautiful full color wayside exhibit depicting the Santa Fe, Oregon and California Historic Trails was dedicated through the efforts of the Historical Society in conjunction with the National Park Service, Department of the Interior, Long Distance Trails Group Office, Santa Fe, New Mexico and the Kansas City, Missouri Neighborhood Tourist Development Fund.

The Exhibit art, Trail Remnants, was commissioned with artist, Charles Goslin. Remains of the ruts made by heavy freight wagons are still visible in the midst of the cemetery at New Santa Fe.

The four original works are on display at the Avila University, Hooley-Bundschu Library, 11901 Wornall Road, Kansas City, Missouri 64145. They are titled: