The DAR Santa Fe Tail Marker stands in the center of the old Santa Fe Trail as it trails west beyond Highway 325 in Cimarron County, Oklahoma, near Kenton. In the background of the stone DAR marker are the original wagon tracks. Many tracks, side by side, were seen in previous years before weathering took place. During the peak years of 1822-1880, several wagons traveled abreast of each other over this part of the trail to Santa Fe. There are two markers set in Cimarron County in far western Oklahoma Panhandle and are set on the Cimarron Cutoff off the Santa Fe Trail. This Cutoff shortened the trip by several days about 75% of the traffic on the trail used this route. There was a threat from Indians at times and the U.S. Army escorted the wagons during this unrest.

 

The 200th Anniversary of the Santa Fe Trail is one of the Commemorative Events recognized by the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) during 2021.

 

Original funding was provided by the High Plains Chapter, NSDAR. Volunteer maintenance of cleaning the monument and checking the condition is done by the Woodward Chapter, NSDAR, members. However, the monument sits on property of whom the owner/custodian is Cimarron County ODOT in Division 6 Oklahoma Department of Transportation.