Great Osage Trail

History

Native Americans, especially those of the midwest and plains of the United States, were nomadic in nature often following the pathways of wildlife such as Buffalo and other animals as they moved from one feeding ground to another.  Over time those trails became well-worn and used by pioneers and settlers as well.  The Great Osage Indian Trail is an example of such a path and contains parts of Route 66, Route 24 and the first section of the Santa Fe Trail. Latter Day Saints followed portions of the Great Osage Indian Trail as they pushed handcarts and walked to the Salt Lake Valley.

Historical Data

To commemorate the trail and its important role in the lives of native Americans, and the migration of  pioneers and settlers, the Iroquois Chieftain, Jake Swamp, attended a ceremonial planting of a tree along the route in Independence Missouri in 1999.  The tree is an Iroquois "Tree of Peace" and is planted on property owned by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and designated as a "Temple Site"   An article published in 1979 in the LDS Church magazine tells about early Mormon pioneer travels along the trail called "Boone's Lick" and then along the Santa Fe/Great Osage Indian Trail leading from Franklin, Missouri to the western border of Missouri.