ARCHIVES

MILITARY ACTIVITIES ALONG THE SANTA FE TRAIL

The Quivira Chapter of the Santa Fe Trail Association and The Barton County Historical Society held a joint meeting and program on April 28, 2008. The event was held at the Barton County Historical Society Museum, 85 S. Highway 281 in Great Bend. The meeting started at 7:30 p.m. The guest speaker was John Martin. John provided insight to the military activities along the local section of the Santa Fe Trail.

Military artifacts provided by Robert Yarmer were also on display during the program. Anyone interested in the Santa Fe Trail and the associated military history was encouraged to attend. The program was free and open to the public and refreshments were provided.

John Martin is a former teacher and chemist and a board member of the Quivira Chapter, Santa Fe Trail Association. He lives in Canton, Kansas and is an avid amateur historian and researcher. Martin has previously done research on Ed Miller story and the Kaw Indian Peace Treaty, both of which occurred in McPherson County. He is currently doing research on the military activities on the Santa Fe Trail.

The Quivira Chapter focuses on preserving, exploring, educating, and celebrating the Santa Fe Trail and it’s nearly two centuries of history on America’s landscape. The chapter covers McPherson, Rice and Barton Counties in Kansas.