The Kansas City area is full of rich history that goes back hundreds of years. Of course, one of the biggest events was the wagon travel along the Santa Fe, Oregon, and California Trails through the area, leaving behind a definite mark from their passage. Have you ever seen the wagon ruts that were left behind?
What is now Minor Park used to be a stop for cross country travel, with wagons coming through all day to head west and southwest.
They were primarily traders of fur, gold, spices, as well as emigrants from towns in the east.
The Santa Fe Trail is the most visible around Kansas City, with many ruts in small areas.
Of course, you can read more about these trails and their routes from the informational kiosks nearby.
Do you see them? After so many decades, they can be hard to spot!
Those faint marks in the ground are wagon ruts (also called swales by some) caused by the heavy traffic of wagons through the area. Of course, it's easier to see them in the winter when the grass is dead, or when viewed from above.
In some areas, they're much easier to see.
It's recommended to enter the Minor Park on the west side, where you'll find the Red Bridge and this marker up in the center of the ruts. Standing here, it's easy to imagine going back in time and walking with a wagon traveling this very trail to a new life.
In case you're looking to explore other great area of our history, you should check out these 10 museums in Kansas City you should never skip.
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