Existing comment:
Old Spanish Trail:
The Old Spanish Trail was a horse and burro pack route that connected Sante Fe with California when much of the Southwest was Mexican territory. Beginning in 1829, bustling trade developed between Santa Fe and the missions of southern California.
Trade caravans traveled fairly regularly over the Old Spanish Trail, taking woolen goods west and returning from California with horses and mules. Several branches of the trail developed as travelers sought routes which were easier and shorter with water and grazing for their animals. Many of these routes followed earlier trails that were developed by the native people. By 1848, commercial travel over this segment of the trail had ceased. |