Trails Head Chapter
Trails Head chapter area encompasses the greater Kansas City area to west of Topeka. The chapter’s name signifies the beginning origins of the Oregon and California National Historic Trails.
The early 19th Century towns of Independence and Westport began as “jumping off” points from the Missouri River, serving several historic trails and routes for emigrant, commerce and military purposes. Through education, preservation and historic markers, the trail comes to life through densely populated and diverse communities. We invite you to drive, hike or bike our many trail corridors; (Oregon, California, Santa Fe, Lewis &Clark, and the Military Road,) from city to prairie on your westward journey.
Early 1800's history regarding the beginning of the pioneer trails in Missouri and Kansas along the Westport Route and along the Santa Fe and Oregon Trails. Video courtesy of the Olathe, Kansas Historical Society.
Trail Diaries, Memoirs and Letters
If you wish to look at what trail travelers wrote about trail sites in the nineteenth century, click on the county of your interest below the image!