The Old Spanish Trail was a trading route that existed from the 16th to the 19th centuries. It connected Santa Fe, New Mexico, with Los Angeles, California. The trail was used by Spanish, Mexican, and American traders to transport goods between the two regions.
Route
The Old Spanish Trail began in Santa Fe and headed west through New Mexico, Arizona, and California. The trail followed the Rio Grande River for much of its length. In Arizona, the trail crossed the Gila River and continued on to Tucson. From Tucson, the trail headed west to Los Angeles.
Goods Traded
The goods that were traded on the Old Spanish Trail included furs, hides, buffalo meat, and horses. The Spanish also traded for silver, gold, and other valuable minerals.
Impact of the Trail
The Old Spanish Trail played an important role in the development of the American Southwest. The trail helped to connect the region to the rest of the United States, and it also helped to establish trade relations between the Spanish and the Native American tribes of the region.
Today
The Old Spanish Trail is no longer used for trade, but it is still an important part of American history. The trail is now a National Historic Trail, and it is open to hikers, horseback riders, and off-road vehicles.