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Check Out (Literally!) these Santa Fe Trail books from the Kansas Room at the Baldwin City Public Library!

Crossings: Women on the Santa Fe Trail By Dr. Frances Levine

Most books about the Santa Fe Trail (SFT) tell the stories of male travelers.  Information about women on the SFT during this period can be difficult to find.  Dr. Frances Levine’s new book, Crossings: Women on the Santa Fe Trail, is a collection of stories of women traveling the Trail in BOTH directions with background information that further explains the lives of women then and now. 

This book is interesting, easy to read, and full of valuable information!  Come Check it out!

The Santa Fe Trail: Its History, Legends, and Lore By David Dary

The city of Santa Fe was founded in 1610, use of the Santa Fe Trail (SFT) from Missouri to Santa Fe began in 1821, and the completion of the railroad ended the use of the SFT by the 1880s.  David Dary explains the history of Santa Fe and the SFT during these years using firsthand accounts such as letters, journals, business records and newspaper articles.  He tells about the people involved, the scenery, and life along the SFT. 

This is an interesting and detailed account of an important time in history. 

Look for more books and booklets about the SFT on the shelves under the “Santa Fe Trail Books” sign in The Kansas Room – most available for check out! All are marked with a covered wagon sticker.

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Booklets about Local History can also be found in the Kansas Room at the Baldwin Public Library. Look for them on the shelves labeled “Our Local History.”

Interested in MORE Local History?

Check out the “Baldwin & Local Area History” tab.

  • NEW INFO:
  • Clearfield Schoolhouse
  • Santa Fe Train Depot
  • Local Men & the Battle of Westport
  • The Angel Monument (B. Chollar Jr.) at Prairie City Cemetery
  • Coal Creek Library
  • Burning BJ Prairie
  • The Shawnee Tribe & Reservation Lands
  • Hole-In-The-Rock
  • Baldwin City Public Library

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It’s time to renew your membership OR

Would you please consider joining or supporting SFTHS?

Your $10 ($20 Family) membership or donation helps us maintain and preserve our 7 historical sites and promote and present the local history of our area!

Historical Sites:

  • Baldwin Depot
  • Signal Oak
  • Palmyra Well
  • Black Jack Cabin
  • Wagon Ruts Walking Trail at Ivan Boyd Prairie
  • Clearfield Schoolhouse
  • Vinland Grange

Local History:

  • Our Local History Programs (with BCPL)
  • Bus Tours (Maple Leaf & more)
  • 3rd Friday Crafts
  • Tours, Presentations to students, SFT Artifacts Trunk
  • Kansas Room (History Room/Archives at BCPL)
  • Website (Includes researching and writing about local history)
  • Local History Booklets

Click these links for Membership Info or Support Us Info!

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In case you missed the February meeting, here is the Annual Meeting Summary.

  • 56 people attended! (Including 9 Baker University history students!!)
  • Dr. Callahan’s presentation about A.T, Still was fabulous!
  • The food was delicious and plentiful.
  • Marvin Jardon was presented with a commemorative certificate in appreciation of over 30 years of service as Treasurer.
  • Officers and Board Members elected – see Officers and Board Members
  • Here is a summary of our activities for the last year:

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COMING SOON!!!

Santa Fe Trail Association (SFTA) Symposium 2025

September 24-27 in Council Grove, KS.

SFTA is the National organization the oversees the preservation and promotion of the Santa Fe Trail (SFT).  Our organization, SFTHS of Douglas County, is part of the national organization and cares for the part of the SFT going through Douglas County.

The Symposium event brings together everyone interested in the SFT and its history and preservation.  It is open to non-members and members.

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Currently the “Driving the Santa Fe Tour” app through Freedom’s Frontier is NOT WORKING!

  • We apologize for the inconvenience.
  • We are looking for other ways to provide this tour information and will keep you posted.
    • Stay tuned to this page!

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Did you know?

Our group owns and/or maintains these six historic sites in Southern Douglas County (Black Jack Cabin and Santa Fe Trail Wagon Ruts with Walking Trail, Signal Oak, Clearfield One Room Schoolhouse, Vinland Grange, Santa Fe Railroad Depot in Baldwin, and Palmyra Well) as well as the markers at multiple historic sites around Baldwin and along the SF Trail throughout the County.

Our group provides educational programs, tours and more to the public to share and promote our local history.

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If You Would Like to Join or Support Our Group:

Click these links for Membership Info or Support Us Info!

Artist: Wayne Cooper “The Santa Fe Trail”

For more info about this artwork: https://oksenate.gov/education/senate-artwork/santa-fe-trail

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