William Becknell

William Becknell (* 1790; † 1832) was an American woodcutter. Santa Fe Trail um 1845

Becknell found a transition from the plains in Kansas to Santa Fe in New Mexico, the Raton Pass. He used it for the first time in September, 1821, with some animals to transport merchandise to this city. At that time, Mexico had just freed itself from the Spanish rule and was looking for new trade relations, so Backnell did good business. Already in May of next year he set off again, this time with a trek of three oxen cars. Despite numerous difficulties (clashes with Indians, mud due to the heavy rain, water scarlet in the deserts) his train arrived well in Santa Fé.

Soon its route was known as Santa Fe Trail and was the most important connection to the west until 1880.

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