William Becknell & The Santa Fe Trail

• by George Bailey • Published: June 21, 2007

The Santa Fe Trail was a vital route of transportation for nearly sixty years of the 19th century, from about 1821 to 1880. The trail, which was first opened to trade by William Becknell, served commercial and military purposes, becoming, in 1846, the route of invasion for the Us army into New Mexico during the Mexican-American War. The trail later aided the U.S. in settling the western part of the continent. The trail began in Arrow Rock, Missouri and ended, albeit a little predictably, in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The trail would be replaced by the railroads in 1880. Nevertheless, its importance had been such that it earned Becknell moderate celebrity. Becknell went on to enjoy a noteworthy political career. He became Justice of the peace in Saline County, Missouri and was later elected to the Missouri House of Representatives. He earned the epithet The Father of the Santa Fe trail and, perhaps due to his combat experience in the War of 1812, a ship during World War II was briefly named the William Becknell.