In Memory Of

Lee Kroh

March 1, 1930 – February 17, 2019

Lee Kroh, co-founder of the Kansas City Area Historic Trails Association, passed away peacefully on February 17, 2019. Along with his wife Dorothy, Lee was instrumental in establishing KCAHTA more than 25 years ago.

A passionate Santa Fe Trail enthusiast since 1960, Lee meticulously mapped historic trail routes using 1850s General Land Office surveys. His work led to the creation of the popular Historic Frontier Trails Map and the placement of approximately 350 brown trail signs across Johnson, Wyandotte, and Leavenworth counties.

Lee’s dedication, knowledge, and countless hours in the field helped build the strong foundation upon which KCAHTA continues to stand today. His legacy lives on through our trails, maps, signs, and the many people he inspired.

Lou Austin

December 30, 1947 – August 27, 2019

We sadly lost longtime trails advocate and partner Lou Austin on August 27, 2019. Lou was deeply involved in preserving and promoting the historic trails in South Kansas City.

He played a key role in the retracement of the Santa Fe, Oregon, and California Trails, the development of the TrailsKC plan, and numerous projects including wayside exhibits, pedestrian bridges, and the 3-Trails Transit Center. His leadership and vision left a lasting impact on the trails and greenways in the area.

Lou will be greatly missed, but his many contributions will continue to benefit our community for generations to come.

A Day on The Trail

Dedication at 80th & Santa Fe – Overland Park, KS

On November 13, 2015, the Kansas City Area Historic Trails Association, in partnership with the National Park Service, the City of Overland Park, and Images Art Gallery, dedicated two new interpretive wayside exhibits at the northeast corner of 80th and Santa Fe in downtown Overland Park.

The project was created to preserve the story of the “A Day on the Santa Fe Trail” mural, which had been painted on a local business wall in 2013 but unfortunately had to be removed due to paint failure.

The new exhibits feature images of the original mural along with the history of the Santa Fe, Oregon/California, and Military Road trails that passed through this area. Additional features include a memorial park bench honoring longtime KCAHTA Preservation Chairman Dr. Pete Cuppage, a refurbished flagpole, and the historic 1906 DAR marker (reset to face the new exhibits).

Dedication Ceremony

Gary Hicks, President of KCAHTA, welcomed approximately 100 attendees on a beautiful fall day. Speakers included:

  • Marilyn Lyons – Images Art Gallery
  • Shirley Coupal – Past State Regent, Kansas DAR (who helped restore the 1906 marker)
  • Paul Lyons – Overland Park City Council

Special thanks go to the City of Overland Park, Scott Shierk, Mike Burton, and their crew for their outstanding work on the Sunflower Motif landscaping and site construction.

“We couldn’t have done this without the wonderful assistance and hard work of the City of Overland Park. This beautiful site will help future generations understand and appreciate our trail heritage.”

IN MEMORY OF DR. PETE CUPPAGE


Birth: August 17, 1932

Deceased: February 21, 2015


*Taken from the Feb 2015 Newsletter*

Pete, Chair of our Preservation Committee 


KCAHTA and the entire historic preservation community mourns the passing of retired pathologist and  long-time  KCAHTA  member Dr. Pete Cuppage. He was a pre-eminent trails historian and a dear friend of all of us, with an  

abiding love of the history of the western trails including the Lewis and Clark Trail.

He often lectured on the medical practices and medicines used on the Lewis and Clark Corps of Discovery in 1804-1806. His contributions to develop understanding of our past balanced with the commitment to his medical profession.

He received the KCAHTA David Lavenburg Award for Volunteerism in 2005.

We will miss his congenial personality, love of trails history and support of KCAHTA.


From his Memorial donations a Resting Bench was placed in his Honor at the 80th and Santa Fe Wayside Exhibits. A picture of the bench is included in the "Day on the Trail Dedication" heading.