Spring Meeting
The chapter's spring meeting was conducted on April 6, 2003, at the Fort Larned National Historic Site. President Gardner reported on the plans to promote uniform marking of the Trail and the status of the proposed pipeline route through a set of 10-11 Santa Fe Trail ruts in northeast Ford County. The chapter voted to sponsor a display of art related to Westport Landing at the upcoming Symposium, September 24-28, 2003. The program was presented by George Elmore, The History of the Fort Larned National Historic Site, From Farm to National Park.

New Marker
As approved at the winter meeting an interpretive marker has been placed at the Santa Fe Trail crossing of the Wet Route near Larned to commemorate the ford's usage by Spanish and American travelers prior to the opening of the SFT. Following is the text of the marker.

Expeditions at the Pawnee River Crossing
Prior to the Advent of the Santa Fe Trail

Previous to the opening of the Santa Fe Trail, the Pawnee River was forded near this point by Spanish expeditions: Francisco Vasquez Coronado, 1541, Fray Juan de Padillo, 1502, and Lt. Zebulon Pike here crossed the Pawnee and traced Melgares' route to the southwest. Pike's 1810 report subsequently directed other American expeditions to the crossing: Robert McKnight, 1812; Capt. John Bell, 1820; and Hugh Glenn-Jacob Fowler, 1821.

Seventh Annual Santa Fe Trail Seminar
Another successful seminar was conducted by the chapter on May 3, 2003, at the Fort Larned National Historic Site. The seminar's theme, The Mexican War and the Santa Fe Trail, was highlighted by the presentation of James Gaston's Mexican War Journal. The original leather bound document was donated to the Kansas State Historical Society by a descendent of Gaston, Janice Baker of Wichita, Kansas. On hand to receive the journal was Mary Allman, Executive Director of the society.

Summer Meeting
The Summer meeting will convene at the Clapsaddle house, Saturday July 12, 2003, 6:30 p.m. for a covered dish dinner. Please bring your covered dish and lawn chairs. Table service and drink will be provided. The program will be devoted to the Westport Landing featuring art work to be exhibited at the Santa Fe Trail Symposium in Kansas City, Missouri.

Faye Anderson Award
Nominations are being accepted for the Faye Anderson Award. An application form is enclosed in the newsletter. Individuals or organizations need not be members of the chapter to be nominated for the award, but the person submitting the nomination must be a member in good standing, that is, a current dues-paying member. Please note the application must be sent to Alice Clapsaddle by October 1, 2003. The award is presented at the winter 2004 meeting.

Santa Fe Trail Research Site
"E-Mail & Home Page"
Larry & Carolyn Mix
St. John, Kansas
© "Forever"