For the past 16 years, OCTA has been at the very forefront of researching, preserving, marking and publicizing the trails. Their efforts have led to the discovery of countless visible trail remnants. They have battled and sought compromises with those who planned projects that would have disturbed or destroyed trail ruts. OCTA has supported and lobbied for legislation which has furthered the cause of trail preservation and public awareness. They have encouraged trail scholarship to broaden our understanding and appreciation of the overland trails experience and its impact on American History. John Mark Lambertson Director, National Frontier Trails Center Trails Head makes it possible for Kansas City's rich history to live on ... their educational efforts teach us about our history and what makes us unique. How delightful it is to have a group who cares so much about history and does so much to preserve it for all of us! Peggy Smith Executive Historian, Westport Historical Society Preserving America's National Historic Trails is a noble endeavor, and I support OCTA's efforts to accomplish this purpose. Dorothy Kroh President, Kansas City Area Historic Trails Association Understanding history correctly and remembering it can best be done by going to a primary source to hear how life felt or was preceived by those who lived it and to see what they actually saw. Trail sites being marked and preserved by OCTA are a true primary source. They are the evidence of our past ... the populating and settling of our country. Jackie Lewin Curator of History, St. Joseph Museum The Oregon-California Trails Association plays a prominent role in the effort to preserve and commemorate a major facet of American History. Through its conventions, publications, and historical markers, OCTA calls attention to the importance of this major highway in the nation's westward movement and the people who traveled it. The Trailshead Chapter of OCTA is an integral part of the national effort to preserve and commemorate the importance of a route taken by thousands of Americans on their way West in the Nineteenth Century. It was here in the Kansas City area that the great emigrant movement to the Pacific Coast began. The sights and sounds of these beginnings remain here today and local OCTA members help others to listen and see what came before. Robert W. Richmond Past President, American Association of State and Local History; Retired Assistant Executive Director, Kansas State Historical Society; Author, "KANSAS: A LAND OF CONTRASTS"

The Trails Head Chapter of the Oregon-California Trails Association (OCTA) benefits the community by researching, exploring, mapping, marking, protecting and bringing the historic emigrant trails of the greater Kansas City area to life.

Not many people recognize the significance of our city's place in history, so the members of the Trails Head Chapter have set a goal to preserve the historic trails in the Kansas City area and educate people about them. The chapter's name, Trails Head, highlights the importance of the Kansas City area to the entire California, Oregon and Santa Fe trail systems: Kansas City is the only city in the United States where these three major trails are one and the same.

Our city is also home to several other historic trails and routes for emigration, commerce and military purposes. The early 19th Century towns of Independence and Westport began as "jumping off" points from the Missouri, and they were widely used to outfit the wagon trains for their long journeys West.

Trails Head brings this important era to life by:

• Holding tours of local trail sites and trail routes,
• Erecting markers at important sites and along trail ruts, and
• Sponsoring events and publishing brochures and newsletters about the thousands of people who traveled the Emigrant Trails to make a new home in the American West.