Picturing history: Mormon Battalion in Oklahoma

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For much of their journey through Kansas, the Mormon Battalion followed the Santa Fe Trail. They subsequently continued on through the Oklahoma panhandle and into New Mexico. Battalion members entered Oklahoma on or about Sept. 23, 1846. At this point, they were still following the Cimarron Route, which had not yet merged with the Mountain Route. The weary travelers would reach that western junction of the Cimarron and Mountain routes at Watrous (La Junta), N.M., several weeks later. These views show various examples of Santa Fe Trail signage, monuments and trail impressions within the present-day borders of Oklahoma.

Kenneth Mays,

Summary

For much of their journey through Kansas, the Mormon Battalion followed the Santa Fe Trail. They subsequently continued on through the Oklahoma panhandle and into New Mexico. Battalion members entered Oklahoma on or about Sept. 23, 1846. At this point, they were still following the Cimarron Route, which had not yet merged with the Mountain Route.

The weary travelers would reach that western junction of the Cimarron and Mountain routes at Watrous (La Junta), N.M., several weeks later.

The views seen here show various examples of Santa Fe Trail signage and monuments within the present-day borders of Oklahoma.