1. Izel Ibarra & Alexis Mora
Santa Fe Trail
Izel Ibarra & Alexis Mora

2. How did the trail impact today’s economy?
Cloth of various kinds was the major item of trade taken to the Southwest. Calico, chambray, dimity, flannels, and silks were some of the kinds of cloths included. The wagons that carried the goods were also sold after being unloaded along with the oxen or mules that had pulled the wagons.
What was taken back to Missouri were silver coins, processed gold, wool, and a great number of mules. The silver coins and all the returns from the trade enabled Missouri to thrive when financial depression struck the rest of the country in the period from 1821 to The Spanish and Mexican 8 Reales coin was legal tender in the United States until 1857 because of its reliable silver content. Missouri became known for its mules which really came from the southwest.

3. How did the trail impact society?
The trail made possible the transporting and trading of goods such as woolens, cottons, silks, linens, china cups, whiskey, champagne, combs, forks, spoons, watches, dry goods, hardware, razors, and jewelry. By 1880, the railroad reached Santa Fe and replaced the Santa Fe trail as the most viable means of trading and traveling. Today, visitors can travel between western Missouri and Santa Fe on the Santa Fe National Historic Trail and drive the Santa Fe Trail Scenic & Historic Byway, a road route that captures the historic experience of the Santa Fe Trail.

4. How did the trail contribute to the development of Texas?
In 1821, Missouri Indian Trader, William Becknell, arrived in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He sold his goods at an enormous profit, and made plans to return the next year over the routes that will become known as the Santa Fe Trail.
William Becknell was a soldier, politician, and freight operator who is credited with opening the Santa Fe Trail in & improving the route.
Born: 1788, Amherst County, Virginia, VA
Died: April 25, 1856, Red River County, Texas, TX

5. Santa Fe Trail Map