Cimarron, settled in 1878, got its name as the starting point at one time of the shorter Cimarron or dry route to Santa Fe. Here the Santa Fe Trail divided, one branch heading directly southwest, the other (present US-50) following the Arkansas river to Bent's Fort (near La Junta, Colo.), then south over Raton Pass. William Becknell first traveled the dry route with a pack-train via the Cimarron river in 1822, carrying trade goods for Mexico, newly freed from Spain. By 1824, wagons creaked along with loads of calico, guns, tools and shoes to exchange for silver, furs, wool and mules. Trade became of such importance that in 1825 the government surveyed the route in U.S. territory north of the During the peak year of emigration at Mormon Grove in 1855, nearly 2,000 Latter-Day Saints with 337 wagons left here for the Salt Lake Valley. It was also a tragic year for the U.S., British, and European Mormons at the little way station, many dying in a cholera epidemic. In 1856, Iowa City, Iowa, became the major jump-off point for Latter-Day Saint westward travel, and Mormon Grove became a forgotten gathering place.
US-73, Roadside turnout, west of Atchison, Atchison County Kansas.
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Kansas 
