Locations
on the
Santa Fe Trail
"Historic Santa Fe Trail Markers"
Why this page on these old oval markers? To me the history of the Santa Fe Trail means Markers. This is just one of the ways the Santa Fe Trail was marked over the years. The "Old Santa Fe Road" and other feeder trails that connect with the Santa Fe Trail were marked in many ways this is just one of them. A lot of research goes into each site and then great effort has gone into locating them, then placeing a unique type of marker at each location. Take the limestone posts The Wet/Dry Routes Chapter has incorporated into its marking projects are also a part of the history of the State of Kansas. With the reconstruction of the highway system in the Western part of Kansas, from the almost one lane highways built for the covered wagon & the Old Model "A Ford" to the new super two lane as the state calls them, the fence rows that once held the limestone post are being replaced by new and improved fences and the limestone posts are being taken out and lost. Many of the post end up as markers of a different kind they are being used everywhere.The Oval Santa Fe Trail Markers were placed on or near schools located along the Santa Fe Trail in 1948, by the American Pioneer Trails Association with Headquarters in Kansas City, Missouri. At that time Judge Henry A. Bundschu was president of the Association, and Thornton Cooke was chairman of the special committee that designed this plan for marking the historic Santa Fe Trail. Blevins Davis, Independence, Missouri, donated funds to provide the artistic plaques for marking the route. Irvin Shope was the artist for the project.
The Association provided a plaque for every school along the Santa Fe Trail and suggested a dedication program for November 16, 1948. Students were to conduct the ceremony and give the addresses. They were encouraged to dress in pioneer costumes for the occasion. This was the most thorough effort to mark the Trail since the DAR granite markers were erected earlier in the century. The markers were placed on or near schools, but only a few remain where originally placed.
Pomona, California;
This sign came up for sale on E-bay and was sold to Wes [note] in Canada. {This sign looks to be the same one that we have listed in Santa Barbara, California.} [note]
Pawnee Rock, Kansas;
Gary from Pawnee Rock, Kansas writes: bought this Santa Fe Trail sign 7-7-7 at an estate sale in Ellinwood, Kansas. Gary had worked on this persons house about 15 years ago when he showed him the sign. He lived where the Santa Fe Trail went through Ellinwood. William and a friend were out walking one day and saw something sticking out to the ground. With a little digging they uncovered the Oval Santa Fe Trail Sign. It was by a pole it used to hang on in Ellinwood. The sign measures 24 x 15 inches, which almost stretches across a Pawnee Rock sidewalk. He said the porcelain sign is in almost mint condition.
This sign was placed on E-bay and Sold. Robert [note] of Santa Fe, New Mexico; bought this sign off of E-bay.
Gary
David writes: Hello, Just purchased from a private collection in Santa Barbara, California an oval porcelain Santa Fe Trail sign signed by the artist Irvin Shope. Super shape with just a little porcelain loss around the top grommet holes. It now resides in my collection of Western Americana.
This one is located at the home of Richard on Old Santa Fe Trail, in Santa Fe, "it was purchased for my wife and me as a gift by my sister-in-law in Chicago, Illinois several years ago, Original location unknown!
Robert bought this sign off of E-bay from a seller in Pawnee Rock, Kansas. A couple of gentlemen were out walking one day and saw something sticking out to the ground. With a little digging they uncovered this Oval Santa Fe Trail Sign. It was by a pole it used to hang on in Ellinwood, Kansas.
Johnson County Museum System has one that was originally located at the Lanesfield School in Edgerton, Kansas.
The sign itself is no longer posted on a tree in front of Lanesfield school. As you can see from the photograph, it has some corrosion from normal outdoor exposure. To preserve it for future generations, it is now located within the Visitor's Center for our Lanesfield School Historic Site. Thank you for your interest in our collection at the Johnson County Museums!
Photo Courtesy of the Johnson County Museum
Robert wites: I am the owner of The Wall of Legends Guest Ranch in Stonewall, Colorado. When my wife Gaylene and I purchased the ranch this sign was on the outside wall of a workshop. It is now displayed in my mothers restaurant which is called The Legends Cafe. I was told that one of our cabins (which was built in 1900) was one of the first preschools in Southern Colorado. This is how I think it ended up here. Thank you for all your hard work and we look forward to being on your website.
A lady named "Sue" believes this Oval Sign was found in the basement of a house bought about 20 years ago. It remained there until about five years ago, when the house was sold, and during the clean out of the house the owner was going to throw it away. Another friend kept the thing in a junk pile in her garage for about another year, and she to threatened to throw it away. The sign has been hanging in the kitchen of a lady named "Sue" ever since. Sue states that she loves it, because of the character it has. The sign is in good shape except for ten marks that appear to be from bullets, none of them go through the sign. Sue explained that Hopatoong was a "large summer resort in the early nineteen hundreds through the mid fifties. Many rich and famous people owned houses and vacationed here druing the summer months. It is located on the largest lake in New Jersey about 30 miles west of New York. Enjoy your sign "Sue"!!
The above Oval Santa Fe Trail Sign from Hopatoong, New Jersey was later put up for bid and is now near the Santa Fe Trail in the private collection of Larry & Carolyn Mix, St. John, Kansas!
The Hamilton County Historical Society has one in there Museum, they have been at that location since the early 1970's, original location is unknown.
This Oval Santa Fe Trail sign hangs above the door of a Museum.
There are four in the private collection of Edward Dowell of the Wagon Bed Springs Chapter. Edward's sign buying history goes like this.
Ed bought his first sign from an antique dealer in 1995. He said it came from a private museum in New Mexico. The couple was retiring and selling everything they had collected over the years.
Ed bought this one from a private party in Westport, Missouri. The people he bought it from didn't know where it came from.
Ed bought this one from a private party in La Junta, Colorado. They said it came off of a school around La Junta, Colorado but didn't know which one.
La Junta, Colorado; Email from a Bruce Kuhns. My mother, Alma, lives in La Junta, Colorado and I am currently here visiting from Virginia. Last October my father passed away and we are going through the house now getting ready to move my mom out. We found one of the oval Santa Fe Trail signs that my dad had collected. We had Don Lowman, museum curator for the Otero Museum here in town, over to look at it and he filled us in on what he knows about them. I found your website and enjoyed reading about the history of the signs. It is in very good shape with just a little rust around one of the screw holes. Don thinks it probably came from the Lincoln Elementary School here in La Junta. {sold to Ed}
On January 31, 2006, this sign was put up for bid on E-bay. Michele the seller writes, Hello: I listed this item for a friend of mine. He told me that it came from Lecompton, Kansas. It was found in the basement of an old building. Hope that helps! Location of the school is unknown.
Ed won the bid for this sign, it is now in his collection in Kansas on the Santa Fe Trail.
Cimarroncita Ranch, this oval sign is hanging inside one of the ranch buildings and is in good shape. It seems to have had no school connection, but rather a gift.
Brian King, Doolittle Ranch reports that one of the signs is at the ranch, Original location unknown!
Wilsey School, still bears its sign. Loren Otis was a student there in 1948 and attended the dedication of the marker. The building is currently used as a grade school.
Rick writes, June 08, 2005:
I was out in Kansas the last few days and stopped at a few sites. The ceramic Santa Fe Trail sign at the Wilsey school is no longer there. Fortunately someone moved it before it could be stolen. The frame looked like it was ready to fall apart. There is a note in the frame, mounted to the right of the entrance, which says,
"This sign has been moved to a more secure location"
Steve writes, July 05, 2005:
The Wilsey Ks. sign was moved inside the building and placed in the main trophy case in the front hall of the building about 20 feet from it's original location on the outside of the building. The building is now owned by the Calvary Lutheran Chapel. Hope this helps.
USD 417
Janene writes on December 03, 2005
The Santa Fe Trail marker in Wilsey, KS, is inside the case of the old elementary building that has been purchased by Calvary Chapel Bible School. The marker is available for public viewing. My father, the Pastor, is committed to the preservation of the history of Wilsey, KS. Thank you for your website and all the investigative work you've done.
Janene
Council Grove High School, no one could remember seeing the sign even though the building is still in use.Fairview 19 School, only the foundation remains of Fairview 19. An auction had listed an oval sign to be sold, but it disappeared before the sale.
Garfield School, had burned, its oval sign gone with it, a new school has been built in its place.
Morning Star School, was still in its original place, but it had become a private home. No Oval Sign was found.
Rosedale School, was moved to Burdick and used as the home economic room for a while. Some folks remembered the sign and even discussion that it should be removed and placed in safekeeping. Nothing was done, however, and the sign has disappeared. The school house was also used for a time as a place of business and ended up on a farm near Burdick.
Sunflower School, People remembered the sign at this school, but no one knew where it had gone. The location of the school now consistes of a set of steps in a lonely pasture.
Upper Big John School, was gone, a private home now occupies the site. Folks there remembered an oval sign, but none was located.
Uniondale School, A number of people, including the caretaker, believed the oval sign was still on the school. It could not be found.
Washington School, had been torn down, but some people remembered having seen the marker. However no one knew its current location
Wilmington, Kansas; One was on a stone schoolhouse in this town but is now missing, only a shadow remains.
If anyone knows of the location of one of these signs, please send information to this page address. Be sure to note if it is still in its original location or if it has been moved, if it has been moved try to determine where it was original placed.
Santa Fe Trail Research Site
"E-Mail & Home Page"
Larry & Carolyn Mix
St. John, Kansas
© "Forever"
