Although many Americans may not realize it, the city of Santa Fe, New Mexico, once belonged to the Republic of Mexico. As we continue our monthly series commemorating the bicentennial of the Santa Fe Trail, we follow the Army of the West down the trail to Bent's Fort, in present day Colorado, and on to Santa Fe. Historian Leo Oliva describes the military's takeover of the trail. And Frances Levine, director of the Missouri Historical Society, tells us about a young woman by the name of Susan Shelby Magoffin, who wrote about it in her journal. Magoffin is portrayed here by KPR's Laura Lorson.
This story is part of a larger documentary project about the Santa Fe Trail. Learn more at PrairieHollow.net or check out the Facebook page for Prairie Hollow Productions. Dave Kendall is the producer of the documentary.
- Commemorating 200 Years of the Santa Fe Trail - Part 1
- Commemorating 200 Years of the Santa Fe Trail - Part 2 (DAR Markers)
- Commemorating 200 Years of the Santa Fe Trail - Part 3 (Wagon Ruts)
- Commemorating 200 Years of the Santa Fe Trail - Part 4 (William Becknell)
- Commemorating 200 Years of the Santa Fe Trail - Part 5 (Josiah Gregg)
