The article discusses the Santa Fé trade route between U.S. and Mexican territories. The Santa Fé trail ran from St. Louis, Missouri to Santa Fé, New Mexico. The author comments on how railroad usage has decreased commercial transportation by wagon caravans and has led to the establishment of communities in the desert regions of the U.S. Conquistador Francisco Vasquez de Coronado explored the region that would become New Mexico and Kansas as well as the Kaw River. Soldier Zebulon M. Pike explored the Arkansas River and the Rio Grande before being captured by Mexican authorities. The success of traders such as Jean Phillipe Chavez and Ceran St. Vrain and attacks on caravans by Indian bandits are noted. Trade goods included cotton, sugar, coffee and mining equipment.