DISCOVER THE TRAILS
Since 1986, the Gateway Chapter of OCTA has actively preserved and marked the St. Joe Road with Carsonite trail posts as well as several interpretive signs in St. Joseph and Northeast Kansas. Gateway Chapter protects and promotes the St. Joe Road in the City and the Northeast Kansas counties of Doniphan, Brown and Nemaha including branches from river crossings at Amazonia and Iowa Point. At least two field trips a year, open to the public, are held to view sites along the overland trails in our area.
Saint Joe was a major jumping-off point for California and Oregon emigrants from 1844 into the ’60s. The Saint Joe Road ran near the Sac and Fox Presbyterian Mission on the way to cross the Big Blue River and meet the Independence Road.
The Gateway Chapter's area of responsibility, which stretches from St. Joseph, MO to Marysville, KS, is shown in the center of the map below with a bold black trail. Learn more about the fascinating history of St. Joseph and surrounding areas and the work that we continue to accomplish in preservation and education. We welcome new members and donations to help us continue preserving and promoting trail and landmark history.
Trail History
During the spring of the years in the mid-1800’s the streets of St. Joseph came alive with the hustle and bustle of emigrants preparing to cross the Missouri River and head west to the present day states of Oregon, California, Utah, Colorado, and places in between. Discover how important the St. Joseph area was to emigrants as it continued to be an important departure point into the 1870’s. - Jacqueline A. Lewin, Curator of History, Marilyn S. Taylor, Curator of Ethnology, St. Joseph Museum.
Interactive maps
Experience St. Joseph how it was for visitors during the Westward Migration and the Pony Express. St. Joseph, Missouri was one of the main "jumping off" points along the border of the United States into Indian Territory on the other side of the Missouri River. Explore sites where wagons were sold, where rooms were available to rent while travelers waited on the ferries, and where Pony Express riders picked up the mail and more. This map roughly encapsulates from when Lewis and Clark traveled past St. Joseph in 1804 on their expedition to the time when the transcontinental railroad was completed in 1869.
Tour the Magnificent trails
Interested in touring the magnificent trails? Take a tour with us. Our chapter is dedicated to two trail tours per year. Each of our tours is led by one or more competent trail specialists who provide printed guides and maps. Join OCTA and St. Joseph Gateway Chapter to participate in the tours. Discover more about the tour opportunities available this year!