Forks in Santa Fe Road

"THE PRE-1859 DRY ROUTE"
The Original Dry Route

The Pre-1859 Dry Route branched from The Wet Route southwest of Pawnee Fork crossing to pursue an upland course to The Caches where it merged with the Wet Route. Later, it merged with the Wet Route 10 miles east of The Caches.

A portion of Josiah Gregg's 1844 map showing The Pre-1859 Dry Route
striking the Arkansas River west of The Caches

Site E-1 - Interpretive Marker Text

Forks in Santa Fe Road Marker

BRANCH: The Pre-1859 Dry Route
DESIGNATION: Forks in Santa Fe Road
LOCATION: From the Pawnee Fork crossing marker (Site C-2), proceed southwest 3.5 miles on U.S. 56 to the marker on the right.
GPS AT MARKER: N38 08.433 -- W99 09.006
TOPOGRAPHICAL EVIDENCE: None
PHYSICAL EVIDENCE: None
USGS AERIAL PHOTO: Forks in Santa Fe Road
MODERN DAY MAP: Santa Fe Trail Map Pawnee County, Kansas
TOPOGRAPHIC MAP: Topographic Map
HISTORIC DESCRIPTION: Eastern terminus of The Pre-1859 Dry Route.
DISTANCE: From Pawnee Fork Crossing (Site C-2), 3.5 miles. Marcy.
COMMENTS: This location is variously described by contemporary writers as being beyond Pawnee Fork, 3.5, 4, 5, and 6 miles. The marker is located about 1/8 mile west of the Forks.
LEGAL DESCRIPTION: NE 1/4, Section 14, T-22-S, R-17-W, Pawnee County, Kansas.

Township 22 South of Range 17 West, Pawnee County, Kansas

An adaptation of Lt. William H. Emory's 1847 map showing Forks in Santa Fe Road

"Marker Project Index"