Santa Fe Trail Scenic and Historic Byway Visions 2008Santa Fe Trail Scenic and Historic Byway Visions 2008prepared by Wyvonne Phillips Graham- February 2008
The Santa Fe Trail Scenic and Historic Byway-Mountain Branch, a 501(C3) nonprofit seeks to leverage funding, and Byway resources to provide quality visits to the Santa Fe Trail. We are currently in our fifth seed grant and will continue to seek a creative ways for Byway sustainability.
The Santa Fe Trail Scenic and Historic Byway-Mountain Branch is one of Colorado's Scenic Byway Programs. The Byway Program is funded by the National Scenic Byways Program of the Federal Highway Administration. Funds are distributed through a competitive grants process and are administered by CDOT State Scenic Byway Program. This grant is renewable for up to five years and it is our intention to become self-sustaining by the year 2009. Our public access point is the Colorado Historical Society property of "Trinidad History Museum" Scenic Byway Visitors Center, 312 East Main Street, Trinidad, CO. Our mailing address is PO Box 118, Trinidad CO 81082.
Historical Background
Roberta Cordova the founder of the Santa Fe Trail Scenic and Historic Byway, the Scenic Byway Committee, Byway Stake holders and Partners, City Governments and prestigious members of our Byway Communities worked for many years to develop our Scenic Byway. In 1992, Governor Roy Romer and the Colorado Department of Transportation designated the Mountain Branch as a Colorado State Scenic Byway. We received National Scenic Byways Program designation in 1998 by the FHWA. The 184 mile Scenic Byway Corridor was based on Colorado portion of the Santa Fe Trail and is dubbed the Trail of Merchants as this is the route which opened trade between the US and Mexico.
The Santa Fe Trail served as a trade route between Missouri and the Mexican frontiers from 1821 to 1880. Caravans of traders, often with four horses abreast, traveled the Mountain Branch. Although the Mountain Branch was 100 miles longer than the Cimarron Route, and the climb over Raton Pass was difficult, the Mountain Route was preferred since water was more accessible and it was less vulnerable to Indian attacks. In 1987, the Santa Fe Trail was designated by Congress as a National Historic Trail. Heritage travelers visit today to discover the magic and retrace authentic steps taken by merchants and traders on the way to Santa Fe. Recreate life along the Trail by visiting historic trading posts like Bent's Old Fort and Boggsville, stagecoach ruins, visible wagon ruts, graves, ruins of Trail-era ranches and statues and monuments commemorating famous characters of the west.
"The Commerce of the Prairies" developed from a trickle of traders with pack mules to dozens upon dozens of wagon trains, hundreds of prairie schooners, laden with trade goods pulled by groaning oxen, in an ever-increasing stream between Missouri and Santa Fe. It started in a small way - a few caravans of mules from Santa Fe, heavily laden with hides and tallow. In the very year of the Adams-Onis Treaty and the Independence of Mexico, 1821, Missouri Indian trader William Becknell heard that Santa Fe was open to trade from the U.S. He hurried west -- right along our Byway -- to be the first to reach that fabled (and trade-hungry) Royal City. After realizing a neat little 5000% profit, he hastened back to Missouri so he could be the first out the following spring. He was not. At least one and possibly two wagon trains of trade goods set out before him. Nevertheless, the race was on.
Board of Directors
President- Roberta Cordova, founder of the Mountain Branch of the Santa
Fe Trail
Vice President- Barbara McKnight one of the original founders of the Scenic
Byway Steering committee and director of tours to Historic sites for Branson
Hiking Club in our region.
Secretary Treasurer-Meghan Russell Harris former Executive Director of Trinidad Las Animas County
Economic Development.
Membership and Committee Director-Cathy Mullins manager of Hole in the Rock Historic Site on the Santa Fe Trail.
We have a good representation of the Trail Corridor consisting of well-qualified
individuals that make up our Board of Directors.
Our organization has the vision of making our Scenic Byway recognized as
one of Americas Byways and a great American Heritage highway instilling
community pride, fellowship, and commerce. "The Santa Fe Trail Mountain
Branch and Trail of Commerce"
Colorado Department Of Transportation (CDOT) Scenic Byways
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
National Scenic Byway Organization (NSBO)- America's Byways
Colorado Historical Society (CHS)
Trinidad History Museum (a Colorado Historical Society Property)
Colorado Preservation Inc. (CPI)
Trinidad Historical Society (THS)
South Central Council of Governments (SCOG)
Trinidad Tourism Board (TTB)
Southeast Colorado Regional Tourism Board (SECRTG)
Colorado Tourism Office (CTO)
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) /Colorado Division of Wildlife
(DOW)
USDA United States Forest Service (USFS)
Comanche National Grasslands (CNG)
Pioneer Historical Society (PHS)
Boggsville Historic Site
United States Army USA
National Park Service (NPS) Long Distance Trails
Frontier Pathways Scenic & Historic Byway
Historic Arkansas Riverwalk of Pueblo (HARP)
El Pueblo Living History Museum
Santa Fe Trail Association, Bents Fort Chapter
Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR)
John Martin Reservoir
Increase recognition and appreciation of the multi-cultural heritage
in communities within the corridor
Increase information availability about travel in both directions along
the Trail's historic routes and the ties it created between the vastly different
cultures and races.
Preserve the pioneer spirit among the region's population.
Enhance awareness of the Trail's history among persons moving into the
region.
Promote Trail-related activities among all ages and families and to
use connections provided by the Trail to improve inter-community relations.
Preserve historic sites and resources for future generations
Achieve a balance between preservation and development.
Increase public knowledge about significant historic resources along
the Trail.
Encourage preservation and protection of sites on public and private
lands.
Enhance the visitor experience by upgrading and improving developed
sites and facilities and by developing additional sites which have visitor services
Improve the quality of visits.
Increase tourism's contribution to the economy by increasing visitors
and the length of their stay
Increase the number of sites visited.
Support Trail-related activities throughout the corridor
Consistently use a unified Trail-related theme and identity.
The Byway Board it's consultants attended public meetings and collaborated throughout the Byway region to create new partnerships for the stewardship of the Santa Fe Trail. Meetings were held with Historical Societies, Colorado Historical Society, Colorado Preservation Inc., Byway County and City Officials, US Forest Service, National Park Service, Santa Fe Trail Association and many other Scenic Byway Stakeholders, both on and off the Byway. Some of the issues addressed have been byway sustainability, interpretation, signage projects, visitor readiness, US Corridor 50 impacts, trail planning, heritage tourism, agri-tourism, land and wildlife stewardship, economic recovery from drought, blizzards, tornadoes, industry closures and preservation of the historic Santa Fe Trail. We completed a multi state collaboration with five trail states to host the Santa Fe Trail Symposium 2007 event and conducted a visitors satisfaction survey with event participants. We assisted Colorado State University in conducting an economic impact survey done in partnership with the National Scenic Byways Program and Colorado Scenic Byways Program. We completed four watchable wildlife signs and installed them at our Colorado Welcome Centers of Trinidad and Lamar.
National Scenic Byway Grants- Federal Highway Administration Seed Grant - $25,000 our match $6,250
The Santa Fe Trail Scenic and Historic Byway-Mountain Branch is one of Colorado's Scenic Byway Programs. It is funded by the America's Byways, National Scenic Byways Program of the Federal Highway Administration. Funds are distributed through a competitive grants process and are administered by Colorado Department Of Transportation Scenic Byway Program.
Five Seed Grants were used to implement the Corridor Management Plan, training,
outreach, marketing, interpretation, organization and capacity building.
2003-2008. We are in our final seed grant year.
In 2007 we received a $15,000 Grant from Colorado Tourism Office to leverage with our Scenic Byway seed funds to market the Santa Fe Trail.
National Scenic Byway Grants Current Year
Our Web Site www.santafetrailscenicandhistoricbyway.org
receives an average of 3,000 visitors a month since it's debut
in May 2003. Internet travel planning is encouraged through our virtual
tours of historic sites on the Santa Fe Trail. Our web site is directly
linked to Colorado Scenic Byway's and America's Byways web sites. Funding
is needed to keep it updated and disperse stakeholder information. As the
popularity of the Santa Fe Trail increases the demand for visitor information
increases. The web is an affordable way to meet traveler needs and convey
our mission. The web site will be the anchor for our marketing efforts and
ways to track our success. Byway incentives such as tour packages, freebies
and discounts from merchant program will be given and tracked through visitor
sites reporting who and where our marketing services are being used. With
funding we have published our Corridor Management Plan and Interpretive
on our web site for stakeholder review and input.
Update our marketing materials. Including our brochure, an Interpretive CD of the Santa Fe Trail Scenic and Historic
Byway-Mountain Branch, " Listening For the Sound Of Wheels" A
living History of the Mountain Branch.
Four Interpretive signs are being produced to replace badly worn ones on Comanche National Grassland kiosks. The new signs will be placed at Timpas, Sierra Vista, Iron Springs and Crack Cave. Matching funds for this project were provided by the USFS Comanche NG and National Scenic Byways Program Interpretive grant.
Boggsville- Fabricate and install NPS approved wayside signs.
Byway Visitors Center/Trinidad History Museum-Create One wall sign and
portable visitors information exhibit.
Develop and print a free Byway Visitors Guide with suggested itineraries
& tours.
Create and distribute Children's Coloring Placemat for Contest.
El Moro Rest Area- Design, fabricate and install 2 signs enhance with audio interpretation..
El Pueblo Byway Visitors Center-Create 1 light box for Santa Fe Trail Byway partnership promotions with Frontier Pathway Scenic Byway of Pueblo..
Pod Casts-Down loadable audio and visual messages from our web site, promoting three locations on
the Byway. Locations identified are the John Martin Reservoir, Bent’s Old Fort and Boggsville Historic Site.
Pod casts will include Santa Fe Trail site specific information and annual trail oriented events will be
publicized to encourage travelers to attend. Additionally visitors will be encouraged to stop at Byway visitor
centers to learn more. Pod casts will provide opportunities to participate in cultural activities which are Byway
oriented.
Interpretive wayside signs- Design, fabricate and install six signs, two at each of the following locations.
Colorado Welcome Center in Lamar, Boggsville Historic Site, John Martin Reservoir.
Develop directional and site identification sign plan with managing authorities and obtain funding for project
completion with NPS and partners.
Design print and distribute a Trails on the Santa Fe Trail Brochure which highlights wildlife, biking, hiking and
recreational opportunities.
Southeast Colorado Regional Tourism Group received a Preserve America
Grant for Heritage Tourism development. We will work with our Preserve
America Communities in their efforts to increase Heritage Travel
to their communities and develop new visitor ready sites of historic importance.
Colorado Preservation Inc. has identified the Santa Fe Trail and Southeast
Colorado Heritage Region as one of Colorado's Most Endangered Places
list for 2007. Pinon Canyon was added to the National Preservation's 11 Most Endangered Places. We have obligated funds and in kind services totaling $2,200 for a historic survey project of this region.
The Great Santa Fe Trail Horse Race has expressed an interest in having the route travel through Colorado's Santa Fe Trail. We will work with promoters to make this come to fruition for 2009. This multi state initiative involves all five of the Santa Fe Trail States: Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, Oklahoma, and Texas.
Amache National Historic Site is putting in a visitors kiosk and new interpretive trail and reconstructing the historic buildings. We will assist in the interpretation of this important historic site located directly on the Santa Fe Trail.
Prowers County will be adding a new transportation museum near Big Timbers. We will assist with site and directional signage, interpretation and marketing of the antique buggy museum to be located next to Big Timbers on the Santa Fe Trail.
Holly Rest Area Santa Fe Trail Interpretation.
Market the Santa Fe Trail Scenic and Historic Byway and our program to contribute to the prosperity and sustainability of our region.
Update our Marketing Plan, Business Plan, Corridor Management and Interpretive Plan.
Create ways to achieve community buy in for America's Byway Brand. Byway 10th Birthday activities and living history events will be the focus of our PR Campaign.
Santa Fe Trail Byway sustainability and public momentum
Continue interpretation and improvements on the Santa Fe Trail
Collaborate with stakeholders for stewardship of the Trail and the promotions of it's intrinsic qualities, sites and stories.
Increase byway visibility, visitor information, usage, partnerships, supporters and educative
opportunities
on the Santa Fe Trail.