Wheels Across the West: History and Legacy of the Santa Fe Trail Kinder Institute on Constitutional Democracy, University of Missouri

From old-time radio and classic Hollywood Westerns like The Lone Ranger to blockbuster games like Red Dead Redemption, the violence, peril, and romance of the story of the Wild, Wild West has been exaggerated. Modern-day perceptions of the West are rooted in mythology shaped by mass media. In this episode, we examine the impact that radio, TV, film, and video game depictions have had on how the public imagines the history of the American West and the Santa Fe Trail.

Written and narrated by: Greg Pekurney
Producer and engineer: Kyle Jackson
Interview guests: Laura Young, Mya Franklin, Zeb Howell, Max Kinney, Grant Pekurney, Kyle
Pekurney, Tracey Besgrove
Theme Song: Fog Holler (Used with permission)
Additional Musical Elements: Fog Holler, Casey James Holmberg, Kyle Jackson, Kate
Bone

This episode explores how violence unfolded in Dodge City, Kansas, and other small towns around the Santa Fe Trail during the nineteenth century. The rapid influx of guns, alcohol, and outsiders produced a toxic combination that fueled high homicide rates and gave the West its reputation for lawlessness. However, the mystique of gunslingers and saloon shootouts has distorted our perception of how violent these boomtowns really were. 

Written and narrated by: Isaac Yontz 
Producer and engineer: Kyle Jackson 
Theme Song: Fog Holler (Used with permission)
Additional Musical Elements: Fog Holler, Casey James Holmberg, Kyle Jackson, Kate Bone

In this episode, we dive deep into how people connect to the past through living history and genealogy. Interviews with Civil War reenactors Ken Irvin and Shane Seley grapple with the work of preserving history and engaging the next generation. Some say living history is a dying field—Ken and Shane beg to differ. By the end of this episode, listeners will better understand the question: What drives us to study our family history?

Written and narrated by: Katelyn Irvin 
Producer and engineer: Kyle Jackson 
Interview guests: Ken Irvin, Shane Seley (Wide Awake Films)
Theme Song: Fog Holler (Used with permission)
Additional Musical Elements: Fog Holler, Casey James Holmberg, Kyle Jackson, Kate Bone

In this episode, we delve into the forgotten narratives of Black cowboys along the historic Santa Fe Trail. Through the stories of famous and obscure frontiersmen like James Beckwourth, “Add,” George McJunkin, and Nat Love—and an interview with contemporary horseman and historian Trae Venerable—we shed light on the challenges, resilience, and contributions of Black cowhands. From overcoming societal prejudices to leaving a lasting legacy through archaeological discoveries and autobiographical accounts, these individuals exemplify the rich tapestry of experiences that define the American West. 

Written and narrated by: Zoe Wilson
Producer and engineer: Kyle Jackson
Interview guests: Trae Venerable (https://www.traevenerable.com/)
Theme Song: Fog Holler (Used with permission)
Additional Musical Elements: Fog Holler, Casey James Holmberg, Kyle Jackson, Kate Bone

Recovering the stories of different types of women in the West reveals a broader spectrum of experiences in nineteenth-century North America than is typically assumed. American women traveling along the Santa Fe Trail enjoyed newfound independence that empowered them to take risks and defy gendered expectations. Hispanic New Mexican women bolstered their presence in the public sphere through courts and social circles. Native Pueblo women increased their power outside of the domestic sphere through engaging in politics. In this episode, we explore the diverse and dynamic identities of the Western Woman. 

Written and narrated by: Abigail Ramirez
Producer and engineer: Kyle Jackson
Interview guests: Elise Milburn
Theme Song: Fog Holler (Used with Permission)
Additional Musical Elements: Fog Holler, Casey James Holmberg, Kyle Jackson, Kate Bone

When we look back on the emblematic historical figures of the Santa Fe Trail, we often think of a merchant traveling to find wealth in Mexico. While the trail was certainly home to such characters, this generalization overlooks the unique motivations that drove men and women to brave the hazards of the overland trails, and how these motivations shaped their roles within their caravans. By necessity, caravans functioned as tight-knit groups during the journey to Santa Fe, but they were not insulated from social divisions. This episode explores these social dynamics as they appeared in moments of hardship along the trail, and how three uniquely situated travelers made the most of their journeys across the West. 

Written and narrated by: Elise Milburn
Producer and engineer: Kyle Jackson
Interview guests: Abby Ramirez
Archival Material: The State Historical Society of Missouri
Theme Song: Fog Holler (Used with permission)
Additional Musical Elements: Fog Holler, Casey James Holmberg, Kyle Jackson, Kate Bone