prepared by Wyvonne Phillips Graham- January 2009
The Santa Fe Trail Scenic and Historic Byway-Mountain Branch, a 501(C3) nonprofit seeks to leverage funding, and Byway resources to provide quality visits to the Santa Fe Trail. We will continue to seek creative ways for Byway sustainability and help managing authorities in developing enhancements which contriubute to visitor experience and tourism on the Santa Fe Trail.
The Santa Fe Trail Scenic and Historic Byway-Mountain Branch is one of Colorado's Scenic Byway Programs. The Byway Program is funded by the National Scenic Byways Program of the Federal Highway Administration. Funds are distributed through a competitive grants process and are administered by CDOT State Scenic Byway Program. This grant is renewable for up to five years and it is our intention to become self-sustaining by the year 2009. Our public access point is the Colorado Historical Society property of "Trinidad History Museum" Scenic Byway Visitors Center, 312 East Main Street, Trinidad, CO. Our mailing address is PO Box 118, Trinidad CO 81082.
Historical Background
The Scenic Byway Committee, Byway Stake holders and Partners, City Governments and prestigious members of our Byway Communities worked for many years to develop our Scenic Byway. In 1992, Governor Roy Romer and the Colorado Department of Transportation designated the Mountain Branch as a Colorado State Scenic Byway. We received National Scenic Byways Program designation in 1998 by the FHWA. The 184 mile Scenic Byway Corridor was based on the Colorado portion of the Santa Fe Trail and is dubbed the Trail of Merchants as this is the route which opened trade between the US and Mexico.
The Santa Fe Trail served as a trade route between Missouri and the Mexican frontiers from 1821 to 1880. Caravans of traders, often with four horses abreast, traveled the Mountain Branch. Although the Mountain Branch was 100 miles longer than the Cimarron Route, and the climb over Raton Pass was difficult, the Mountain Route was preferred since water was more accessible and it was less vulnerable to Indian attacks. In 1987, the Santa Fe Trail was designated by Congress as a National Historic Trail. Heritage travelers visit today to discover the magic and retrace authentic steps taken by merchants and traders on the way to Santa Fe. Recreate life along the Trail by visiting historic trading posts like Bent's Old Fort and Boggsville, stagecoach ruins, visible wagon ruts, graves, ruins of Trail-era ranches and statues and monuments commemorating famous characters of the west.
"The Commerce of the Prairies" developed from a trickle of traders with pack mules to dozens upon dozens of wagon trains, hundreds of prairie schooners, laden with trade goods pulled by groaning oxen, in an ever-increasing stream between Missouri and Santa Fe. It started in a small way - a few caravans of mules from Santa Fe, heavily laden with hides and tallow. In the very year of the Adams-Onis Treaty and the Independence of Mexico, 1821, Missouri Indian trader William Becknell heard that Santa Fe was open to trade from the U.S. He hurried west -- right along our Byway -- to be the first to reach that fabled (and trade-hungry) Royal City. After realizing a neat little 5000% profit, he hastened back to Missouri so he could be the first out the following spring. He was not. At least one and possibly two wagon trains of trade goods set out before him. Nevertheless, the race was on.
Board of Directors
President- Roberta Cordova, founder of the Mountain Branch of the Santa
Fe Trail
Vice President- Barbara McKnight one of the original founders of the Scenic
Byway Steering committee and director of tours to Historic sites for Branson
Hiking Club in our region.
Secretary Treasurer-Roy Mitchell, Former Director of Colorado Visitor Center in Trinidad.
Membership and Committee Director-Cathy Mullins manager of Hole in the Rock Historic Site on the Santa Fe Trail.
We have a good representation of the Trail Corridor consisting of well-qualified
individuals that make up our Board of Directors.
Our organization has the vision of making our Scenic Byway recognized as
one of Americas Byways and a great American Heritage Trail instilling
community pride, fellowship, and commerce. "The Santa Fe Trail Mountain
Branch and Trail of Commerce"
Colorado Department Of Transportation (CDOT) Scenic Byways
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
National Scenic Byway Organization (NSBO)- America's Byways
Colorado Historical Society (CHS)
Trinidad History Museum (a Colorado Historical Society Property)
Colorado Preservation Inc. (CPI)
Trinidad Historical Society (THS)
South Central Council of Governments (SCOG)
Trinidad Tourism Board (TTB)
Southeast Colorado Regional Tourism Board (SECRTG)
Colorado Tourism Office (CTO)
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) /Colorado Division of Wildlife
(DOW)
USDA United States Forest Service (USFS)
Comanche National Grasslands (CNG)
Pioneer Historical Society (PHS)
Boggsville Historic Site
United States Army USA
National Park Service (NPS) Long Distance Trails
Frontier Pathways Scenic & Historic Byway
Historic Arkansas Riverwalk of Pueblo (HARP)
El Pueblo Living History Museum
Santa Fe Trail Association, Bents Fort Chapter
Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR)
John Martin Reservoir
Increase recognition and appreciation of the multi-cultural heritage
in communities within the corridor
Increase information availability about travel in both directions along
the Trail's historic routes and the ties it created between the vastly different
cultures and races.
Preserve the pioneer spirit among the region's population.
Enhance awareness of the Trail's history among persons moving into the
region.
Promote Trail-related activities among all ages and families and to
use connections provided by the Trail to improve inter-community relations.
Preserve historic sites and resources for future generations
Achieve a balance between preservation and development.
Increase public knowledge about significant historic resources along
the Trail.
Encourage preservation and protection of sites on public and private
lands.
Enhance the visitor experience by upgrading and improving developed
sites and facilities and by developing additional sites which have visitor services
Improve the quality of visits.
Increase tourism's contribution to the economy by increasing visitors
and the length of their stay
Increase the number of sites visited.
Support Trail-related activities throughout the corridor
Consistently use a unified Trail-related theme and identity.
The Byway Board and it's consultants attended public meetings and collaborated throughout the Byway region to create new partnerships for the stewardship of the Santa Fe Trail. Colorado Historical Society, Byway County and City Officials, US Forest Service, National Park Service, Santa Fe Trail Association and many other Scenic Byway Stakeholders have given us dirrection for needed projects on our Byway. Some of the issues addressed have been byway sustainability, interpretation, signage projects, visitor readiness, US Corridor 50 impacts, I 25 Project, new trail planning, heritage tourism, agri-tourism, land and wildlife stewardship, economic recovery from drought, blizzards, tornadoes, industry closures and - most importantly - the preservation of the Santa Fe Trail. We interpreted three locations on the byway and added four new signs for Comanche National Grasslands. Santa Fe Trail promotional light boxes were added to two state Scenic Byway visitor centers owned by the Colorado Historical Society. Additionally we celebrated our tenth birthday as one of America's Byways with a historic reenactment of the "Marking of the Santa Fe Trail.
The Santa Fe Trail Scenic and Historic Byway-Mountain Branch is one of Colorado's Scenic Byway Programs. It is funded by the America's Byways, National Scenic Byways Program of the Federal Highway Administration. Funds are distributed through a competitive grants process and are administered by Colorado Department Of Transportation Scenic Byway Program.
Five Seed Grants were used to implement the Corridor Management Plan, training,
outreach, marketing, interpretation, organization and capacity building.
2003-2008.
In 2008 we received a Grant from Colorado Tourism Office to market our 10th Birthday. The Byway had an Old West Town during Santa Fe Trail Days Festival and partnered with (DAR) Daughters of the American Reveloution's Santa Fe Trail Chapter for a reenactment of "The Story of the Marking of the Santa Fe Trail". Additional performances were provided by the Gold Canyon Gunfighters. Birthday baloons, Gold Panning, and Wild West Shoot Out's gave authenticity to the event and provided fun for all ages.
We updated our marketing materials. Including our brochure and CD's.
Web Site -Internet travel planning is encouraged through our virtual
tours of historic sites on the Santa Fe Trail. Our web site is directly
linked to Colorado Scenic Byway's and America's Byways web sites. As the
popularity of the Santa Fe Trail increases the demand for visitor information
increases and the web is a cost effective way to meet traveler needs and convey
our mission.
Four Interpretive signs were placed on Comanche National Grassland. The new signs are located at Timpas, Sierra Vista, Iron Springs and Crack Cave.
Two light boxes are being manufactured for our Byway Visitors Centers at Trinidad History Museum and El Pueblo History Museum.
A free Byway Visitors Guide with suggested itineraries
& tours is being produced.
We had a Children's Coloring Contest on the byway.
El Moro Rest Area will get two low profiles and audio interpretation..
Boggsville wayside signs for their trails are also planned.
Pod Casts-Down loadable audio and visual messages from our web site, promoting three locations on
the Byway. Locations identified are the John Martin Reservoir, Bent’s Old Fort and Boggsville Historic Site.
Pod casts will include Santa Fe Trail site specific information and annual trail oriented events will be
publicized to encourage travelers to attend. Additionally visitors will be encouraged to stop at Byway visitor
centers to learn more. Pod casts will provide opportunities to participate in cultural activities which are Byway
oriented.
Interpretive wayside signs- Design, fabricate and install six signs, two at each of the following locations.
Colorado Welcome Center in Lamar, Boggsville Historic Site, John Martin Reservoir.
Develop directional and site identification sign plan with managing authorities and obtain funding for project
completion with NPS and partners.
Design print and distribute a Trails on the Santa Fe Trail Brochure which highlights wildlife, biking, hiking and
recreational opportunities.
We will work with our Preserve
America Communities in their efforts to increase Heritage Travel
to their communities and develop new visitor ready sites of historic importance and visitor interest.
The Great Santa Fe Trail Horse Race has expressed an interest in having the route travel through Colorado's Santa Fe Trail. We will work with promoters to make this come to fruition for 2009. This multi state initiative involves all five of the Santa Fe Trail States: Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, Oklahoma, and Texas.
Amache National Historic Site is devleoping a visitors kiosk and new interpretive trail and reconstructing the historic buildings. We will assist in the interpretation of this important historic site located directly on the Santa Fe Trail.
Prowers County will be adding a new transportation museum near Big Timbers. We will assist with site and directional signage, interpretation and marketing of the antique buggy museum to be located next to Big Timbers on the Santa Fe Trail.
Holly Rest Area Santa Fe Trail Interpretation.
Market the Santa Fe Trail Scenic and Historic Byway and our program to contribute to the prosperity and sustainability of our region.
Update our Marketing Plan, Business Plan, Corridor Management and Interpretive Plan.
Create ways to achieve community buy in for America's Byway Brand.
Santa Fe Trail Byway sustainability and public momentum
Continue interpretation and improvements on the Santa Fe Trail
Collaborate with stakeholders for stewardship of the Trail and the promotions of it's intrinsic qualities, sites and stories.
Increase byway visibility, visitor information, usage, partnerships, supporters and educative
opportunities
on the Santa Fe Trail.