Anderson School of Management Theses & Dissertations

Publication Date

6-3-1958

Abstract

Santa Fe had always been the commercial center of northern New Mexico, but after the republic of 1821 succeeded the viceroyalty, trade in that area began to build up. From an annual value of $15,000 in 1831 to about $1,750,000 in 1846, this overland trade eventually developed its own historical heritage and became known as the “Santa Fe Trade.” Since under the new administration merchants were permitted to bring their merchandise from the east, the effort involved in supporting this tremendous supply system became significant in itself, employing over 5,000 men, 1,500 wagons, and more than 17,200 horses, mules, and oxen. This uniquely American supply line was fed from Westport Landing, near Kansas City, from merchandise received by steamboat from St. Louis, then the gateway to the prairie. Pack trains of Pittsburg wagons which were popularly known as prairie schooners were supported by a number of merchants who banded together in the spring for protection against hostile Indians, and upon their midsummer arrival in Santa Fe these merchants would sell their goods in bulk to traders. By the early part of the nineteenth century this method of transportation was largely supplanted by rail transportation by the eastern markets, but the same principal prevailed.

Language

English

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Level of Degree

Masters

Department Name

Anderson School of Management

First Committee Member

William Jackson Parish

Second Committee Member

Frank Driver Reeve

Third Committee Member

Alfred Cotter Welch

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