Smoky Hill Trail, Kansas – Heading for Gold
The Smoky Hill Trail, Kansas, a historical artery etched across the Great Plains, stands as a testament to the audacious spirit of westward expansion in the mid-19th century. Born from the fervent desire to reach the goldfields of Colorado during the Pike’s Peak Gold Rush, this trail served as a vital, albeit challenging, passage for prospectors, settlers, and soldiers alike. Its story is interwoven with tales of fortune-seeking, perilous journeys, and the clash of cultures on the American frontier.
The year was 1859, and the discovery of gold in Cherry Creek, near present-day Denver, ignited a frenzy. Thousands of individuals, driven by the promise of striking it rich, were determined to reach the Rocky Mountains. The existing routes, primarily the Santa Fe and Oregon Trails, veered north or south, carefully avoiding the formidable mountain range. However, the allure of gold spurred the need for a more direct path across Kansas. Before the Smoky Hill Trail, Kansas, was established, the westernmost outpost was Salina, approximately 175 miles southwest of Leavenworth, a common starting point for those embarking on the Oregon Trail.
The Smoky Hill Trail, Kansas, emerged as the answer to this urgent need. Carved along an ancient Native American route that followed the course of the Smoky Hill River, it offered the most direct route to the burgeoning goldfields. The trail’s name derives from the Smoky Hill River itself, a waterway meandering through the plains, often flanked by isolated buttes that appeared shrouded in a hazy, smoky atmosphere. This distinctive feature of the landscape lent its name to both the river and the trail that traced its path.
Despite its promise of speed, the Smoky Hill Trail, Kansas, was notorious for its demanding conditions. It was far more arduous and dangerous than other routes traversing the prairies. Travelers faced the constant threat of attacks by Native American tribes defending their ancestral lands. Water sources were scarce, and the unforgiving climate tested the endurance of even the most seasoned pioneers. Yet, driven by the vision of untold wealth, these pioneers persevered, braving the risks to reach the Rocky Mountains.
The journey along the Smoky Hill Trail, Kansas, typically began in established outfitting towns such as Leavenworth, Kansas City, Abilene, or Salina. From these hubs, travelers would stock up on essential supplies before setting out to follow the Smoky Hill River towards its headwaters in west-central Colorado, near present-day Cheyenne Wells. Upon reaching this point, the trail diverged into distinct branches. The North Smoky and South Smoky Trails offered alternative routes, both ultimately leading to Denver. A third path, known as the "Middle Smoky Hill," later acquired the grim moniker "Starvation Trail" after the ill-fated Blue brothers became stranded in its desolate expanse, leading to an act of desperation and cannibalism by the sole survivor.
Between 1859 and 1865, the Smoky Hill Trail, Kansas, witnessed a steady stream of humanity. Prospectors, homesteaders seeking new opportunities, and soldiers tasked with maintaining order traversed the landscape in covered wagons, on horseback, and even on foot, pushing carts and wheelbarrows laden with their belongings. While many successfully completed the journey, albeit often enduring near-starvation, others succumbed to the perils of the trail. Hostile encounters with Native Americans, the relentless thirst, starvation, and the bitter cold of the approaching mountains claimed the lives of countless travelers.
The need for reliable transportation and communication along the Smoky Hill Trail led to the development of stagecoach lines. In 1858, W.H. Russell, of the prominent transportation firm Majors, Russell and Waddell, envisioned a daily stagecoach service connecting the Missouri River and Denver. Despite initial skepticism from his partners, Russell launched the Leavenworth and Pikes Peak Express, with its first stagecoach reaching Denver on May 17, 1859. However, the venture proved premature, and after a trial period, Russell’s partners took over, transferring his equipment to their established stage line along the Platte River.
The concept of a stagecoach line along the Smoky Hill Trail, Kansas, was revived in 1865 by David A. Butterfield, a shrewd businessman who recognized its potential profitability. Securing the necessary capital, Butterfield established the Butterfield Overland Despatch, a stagecoach service that aimed to provide regular transportation and communication along the route. The first train departed Atchison, Kansas, on June 4, 1865, and arrived in Denver on September 23, marking a significant milestone in the trail’s history.
To facilitate travel and ensure the safety of passengers, relay stations were strategically built along the 592-mile route, spaced approximately 12 miles apart. These stations provided travelers with opportunities to rest, replenish supplies, and change horses. Military outposts, including Fort Downer, Fort Harker, Fort Monument, and Fort Wallace, were established along the trail to protect the stations and travelers from Indian attacks. Despite these efforts, the soldiers struggled to contain the resistance of Native American tribes who viewed the increasing traffic as an encroachment on their lands.
The Butterfield Overland Despatch underwent several changes in ownership. In March 1866, Butterfield sold the operation to his rival, Ben Holladay, who subsequently sold it to Wells-Fargo later that same year. The era of the stagecoach along the Smoky Hill Trail, Kansas, was relatively short-lived. The expansion of the Kansas Pacific Railroad towards Denver rendered the stage line obsolete by 1870, marking the end of an era.
During its brief but significant period of prominence, the Smoky Hill Trail, Kansas, played host to a diverse cast of characters. Renowned military figures such as Generals Custer and Sheridan, legendary lawmen like Wild Bill Hickok and Wyatt Earp, and colorful personalities such as Buffalo Bill Cody all left their mark on the trail’s history.
Tragically, the Smoky Hill Trail, Kansas, also witnessed numerous instances of violence and death. The Jordon and German family massacres, attributed to Indian raids, led to significant conflicts such as the Battle of Beecher Island and Summit Springs. The trail also served as the backdrop for the escape of Cheyenne leader Dull Knife and his people from Fort Reno in Oklahoma, a desperate flight that resulted in numerous fatalities along the Smoky Hill River.
Today, the legacy of the Smoky Hill Trail, Kansas, is preserved through historical markers that trace its path across the landscape. The Pond Creek Stage Station, located at Fort Wallace, stands as a tangible reminder of the trail’s past. Several former forts that played a crucial role in protecting the trail, including Fort Hays, Fort Harker, and Fort Larned, are open to the public. Museums dedicated to the trail’s history, such as the Smoky Hill Museum in Salina, the Butterfield Trail Museum in Russell Springs, and the Fort Wallace Museum in Wallace, offer visitors a glimpse into the lives and experiences of those who traversed this iconic route. The three remaining "Mile Houses" in Parker, north of Parker, and in Denver, Colorado, also serve as enduring landmarks of the Smoky Hill Trail.