The Santa Fe Trail: Its History, Legends, and Lore

While there have been many excellent books published over the years, many of which were written during the Santa Fe Trail's glory years. They lacked the overall picture since they were from the era itself,depicting only a fragment of the Trail's history. A Full historical account can only be achieved after the fact. Mr. Dary's book is a masterpiece combining his vast collection of materials relating to his subject and his ability to weave them into a most interesting time table that takes the reader from the very beginning all the way to the end of the trial. Rich with colorful accounts that create a visual picture of the Trail's life and importance to a bygone era. Thanks to Mr. Dary we can relive the past through this important work. As a youmgster I always wondered what it would have been like to travel the Trail and now I know.

Easy reading, interesting description of life in the old west and how the land and people evolved but centered on American predominance in expanding their “Manifest Destiny”.

The book “The Santa Fe Trail” is amazing history! The profits were great if you made it with the goods, but the risks were great too. I am amazed at the bravery and ingenuity of those who traded on the Santa Fe Trail.

This is an excellent book for those curious persons who would like to know how the Santa Fe Trail developed. David Dary has written a real history book that is very pleasant and charming while it gives you a lot of facts about the commerce on the Trail. Dary begins with the history of the Spanish exploration of the New Mexico area, the establishment of Santa Fe as a focus for Spanish control over northern expansion, the effect of the Mexican Revolution against Spain, and the increasing interaction with and fear of the Anglos from the East. The commerce between towns in Missouri and Kansas with Santa Fe is described in detail. The importance of Santa Fe as the site for exchange of American goods for Mexican silver money is explained. The eventual decline of Santa Fe and the Santa Fe Trail becomes clear in the descriptions of the American military takeover of Santa Fe, the treaty of Guadalupe-Hildago, and the shift of transportation from wagon trains to the transcontinental railroad. The book has some amusing anecdotes along the way describing the colorful characters that played a part in the folklore about the Trail. The more recent history from 1900 to 2000 is given less space. The rebirth of Santa Fe as a tourist center is briefly explained but what seems missing is how this town of about 67,000 people has become now the third largest art market in the United States. New York and Chicago have larger art markets but are enormous cities by comparison. There is no mention of the influence of artists,such as Georgia O'Keefe. Perhaps this is because this book is less a history of Santa Fe itself as it is a excellent view following the Trail across Missouri and Kansas to Santa Fe.

Deeply satisfying read, with lots of great information and insight regarding this fascinating and romantic Road. The Author begins with Spanish exploration in the New World, the Indian cultures encountered, Mexico's independence from Spain and the beginning of trade with America, over what became the Santa Fe Trail. The overall context of American history before, during and after the Trail's glory days provide a rich backdrop for this enduring legacy of our providential heritage as Americans.

I'm enjoying this read of the Santa Fe Trail as I lived very close to where the trail was in Southeastern Colorado. Reading the history of some of my ancestors, I can fill in more info on what the writer has not written in detail about specific people. I have been along some of the trail but have not viewed any ruts which I would love to see.

Reads easy. Not dry like a history text book. A little too much reliance direct quotation of earlier texts, even when interesting and entertaining. Still well worth the cost of the book.

David Dary wrote another great book here. It is not quick reading- it is not a novel- it is some fascinating history to consider. There are stories of early Spanish and French explorers and traders. It presents a view of the Spaniards' treatment of Native Americans that will surprise readers. David Dary was certainly thorough in his accounts.