Welcome

Trails in the Greater Kansas City Area

Our organization has been locating and marking the trail through the Greater Kansas City Area since the 1990’s which has led to the erection of 162 historic trail markers at trail crossings. Interpretative wayside exhibits have been placed at historic hard points of the trails. Our “Brown signs” indicate the hard points where the trails ran along today’s roads. The routes include the Fort Leavenworth to Fort Scott Military Road, the Santa Fe, Oregon, and California Trails including various branches from the State Line to Gardner Junction and from Fort Leavenworth to the Johnson/Miami county line.

Kansas City Area Historic Trails Association is excited to inform you that we are having a new “Historic Trails Map” created and printed – soon to be available for purchase.

****New maps will be available for purchase online for $15.00; you can use the link below to access for purchase from the 1st map or the Become a Member button at the bottom of the page****

If you are an existing member of KCAHTA a new MAP will be sent to you in the coming weeks – please be patient as we prepare for this process.

Also take NOTE of the change in Membership Dues and 3 new levels have been adopted to be put in place as we go forward.

** A $15.00 annual dues is now effective for new and existing INDIVIDUAL memberships.

**A new $20.00 FAMILY membership level was approved for new and existing members.**

**STUDENT MEMBERSHIPS: Proof of enrollment at a College/University – required annually. NO FEE for this membership effective for a maximum of 4-years enrollment or through the age of 21, unless otherwise enrolled in verifiable graduate studies program.

Note: Dues increase for existing members will take effect upon the date of their current recorded membership date – see the roster for your date.

Education and Preservation of The Trails
Our goal is to educate the public to the historical significance of the trails as they traversed through the Greater Kansas City area. The country was developed on this basic form of transportation. Each trail with its own importance; Santa Fe Trail was a trail of commerce. Oregon Trail was a route of emigrants to discover new territory. California Trail went west to find “gold”. Lewis and Clark to find a primary water route that would link the east to the west.

Historic Frontier Trails Map of Greater Kansas City

Purchase A Map

KCAHTA MAP - Learn about the trails in our area

NEW HISTORIC FRONTIER MAP TO BE AVAILABLE SOON

Kansas City Area Historic Trails Association offers a Map of the trail marking locations in and around Johnson County Kansas and the Greater Kansas City area. There are 2 options to receive one!

1) If you would like one of our 1st printed maps, simply send a check for $8.00 ($5.00 for the map + $3.00 shipping and handling) along with a note indicating that you would like a map to our address below. Or one can be sent to you by clicking on the "Purchase A Map" button above. Once we have your mailing information and payment, your map and brochure they will be sent to you.

**New Historic Frontier Map will be available for $15.00**

2) The brochure offers you the chance to Become a KCAHTA member for an amazing $15.00 per year; or you may chose from other membership levels as well. Along with your paid membership into KCAHTA you will receive the map for "FREE" and one of our newly designed logo lapel pins!

Doesn't matter if you live near or far from Kansas City if you are interested in becoming a member or to learn more about the trails this is a great way to do it!

KCAHTA

5400 Johnson Dr. Ste #275

Mission, KS 66205-2911

Mission/Purpose Statement:

The KANSAS CITY AREA HISTORIC TRAILS ASSOCIATION is organized to work individually or in cooperation with other groups or individuals to promote public awareness of the historic trails in the area and to initiate and coordinate activities to preserve and protect the historic routes, sites and trail remains through research, identification, mapping, marking, interpretation and education. It shall be the purpose of the association to be exclusively charitable and educational within the meaning of Section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code.

NATIONAL HISTORIC TRAILS PROTECTION STATEMENT

The following statement has been created and adopted by the Kansas City Area Historic Trails Association to reflect the basis of its position and policy on the protection and preservation of the Nation’s National Historic Trails, and other recognized historic frontier trails:

Our National Historic Trails, as part of the National Trails System, was created by Congress through the National Trails System Act in 1968, as amended in 1978, to include what is now nineteen (19) significant overland and water routes that represent America's westward expansion movement and historical heritage.

These are trails of exploration, trade, commerce, and pioneer settlement. All historic trails are fragile, subject to threats by nature’s elements, impacts from commercial and residential development, and vandalism. Our historic trails are national treasures, found on both public and private lands.Reflecting America’s heritage, they deserve vigilant protection.

The Kansas City Area Historic Trails Association does not endorse nor condone any action which disturbs, causes damage to, or harms the condition of any portion, or resources, of any trail within our National Historic Trails system, or other recognized historic frontier trails.

The Kansas City Area Historic Trails Association endorses and approves of authorized scientifically conducted archaeology to study human history and prehistory through the excavation of sites and the analysis of artifacts and non-human physical remains, in relation to the conservation of resources of any trail within our National Historic Trails system, or along other historic frontier trails.

Such archaeology shall be for scientific research, allowing for further understanding of the historic context of our Nation’s frontier trails, the western expansion movement of our Nation, and examining the lives of the native peoples and pioneers through objects they made, possessed and left behind. Authorization for approved, scientifically conducted archaeology should be made through the National Park Service, the offices of the various National Trails Associations, or other area trail preservation interest groups. Said archaeology shall conform to applicable laws, regulations, and professional archeological standards, guidelines, and practices.

Gary L. Hicks, President

Kansas City Area Historic Trails Association

(Initially adopted 13October2014)(revFinal v6_1Aug , 2016 _ includes ref. to Archaeology)

Become a MEMBER OF KCAHTA

Join KCAHTA

Go to Membership Renewal

Renew Your Membership