There are two historical markers, both titled New Santa Fe, located on the property of the St Gregorios Malankara Orthodox Church, 940 W Santa Fe Trail, Kansas City, MO 64145. The marker near the street was erected by the Monnett Battle of Westport Fund to commemorate the Battle of Westport. The marker near the cemetery entrance was erected by the Historical Society of New Santa Fe.
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New Santa Fe, also called Little Santa Fe, was a small town on the Santa Fe Trail near the border of Kansas and Missouri. Price’s wagon train, numbering some 500 wagons, left Independence on Saturday afternoon, October 22. The wagons crossed the Big Blue River at Byram’s Ford, turned south on the Harrisonville Road, crossed the river again at Russel’s Ford, turned west on the Santa Fe Trail, crossed the Red Bridge over the Big Blue River, before reaching New Santa Fe. The wagons continued lumbering through the town into Kansas on their way south to safety.
Early in the afternoon on Sunday, October 23, after the Confederates withdrew from their engagements south of Westport and at Byram’s Ford, portions of the two Union forces continue to chase after the retreating Confederates, skirmishing a mile of two south of New Santa Fe. Both Union commanders made their field headquarters at New Santa Fe late in the day on Sunday, October 23. The Union army encamped for the night in and around New Santa Fe before continuing the pursuit in the morning.
New Santa Fe Historical Marker from Battle of Westport Tour
New Santa Fe Historical Marker Inscription
"In 1864 this village straddled the state line. The military road running north and south was l/4 mile west of the line. On Oct. 23, 1864 Confederate Gen. Price's wagon train moving southwest on this road turned south on the military road at 2 p. m. followed by most of his army. Shelby's Division withdrew south at 3 p. m. with Union troops in pursuit. Jennison's and Ford's Brigades continued for 4 mi. and stopped. Price continued south for 20 miles that night. Union troops camped near here and at Indian Creek."
New Santa Fe Historical Marker near cemetery
New Santa Fe Historical Marker Inscription
"New Santa Fe, also known as Little Santa Fe, was not much more than an Indian settlement when the first wagon trains passed through on the Santa Fe Trail in the early 1820s. A popular stopping place because of its grass, water and room for camping, it became a wagon train outfitting station on the Santa Fe, Oregon and California Trails. Originally called Blue Camp 20 because it was near the Little Blue River and approximately 20 miles from Independence, Missouri, the town became an important link between Independence and Santa Fe, New Mexico. New Santa Fe, Missouri was incorporated in 1852 and, according to the 1860 census, grew to a population of 670.
"Early inhabitants on the border between Kansas and Missouri struggled for survival, contending with sporadic border skirmishes, and the after effects of the Civil War.
"The cemetery remains as does a small portion of the foundation of the Santa Fe Christian Church. Wagon swales continue to be visible in and around the cemetery."
The next tour stop is about a 45 miles drive down US Highway 69.
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