Old West

Located in the middle of what is now the United States, the region of the big bend in the Arkansas River (from which Great Bend was named) was a melting-pot of Native American tribes who settled, camped, or roamed through the area, particularly after the adoption of the horse. In addition to the Wichitas, other Plains Indians who have been identified with the region of the big bend include: Pawnee, Comanche, Cheyenne, Arapaho, Apache, Osage, Kiowa, Sioux and many more. Why were Indian cultures drawn to this region? Native Americans entering the area of the big bend found a food basket
". . a river of fresh water, limited timber, firewood, fish, small game, large herds of bison, and a marshland rich in wildlife."(Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area).

Establishment of the Santa Fe Trail, which ran through present day Great Bend, also brought Indians who traded animal pelts and crops with whites, as well as others who raided the wagon trains which were headed west. Barton County was once a hub of interaction among tribes and also between tribes and the white men. Barton County lost the last of its frontier Indian cultures when tribes were sent to distant reservations to live out their days after being defeated by U.S. government troops in battles over the land.

Known as the first and most exotic of America's great trans- Mississippi international trade routes, the Santa Fe Trail was opened in 1821. For more than 60 years, the trail carried adventurous traders across five states. The trail played a critical role in the westward expansion of the United States, and it was an important two-way avenue for commerce and cultural exchange.

The Trail figured prominently in exposing future settlers to the area. It passed right through Great Bend, even cutting across the courthouse square, where a commemorative marker now stands.

The Great Bend area has many historic points on the Santa Fe Trail, including Fort Zarah, the Walnut Creek Crossing and Pawnee Rock. Fort Zarah is commemorated today in a roadside park which is located near one of the two original locations of the fort. The original fort site was established in 1864 to help protect mail service along the Santa Fe Trail. The second Fort Zarah was built in 1867 and was a more permanent post. This post was abandoned in 1869 when it was felt that the Indian threat was not sufficient to warrant a second post so close to Fort Lamed. Pawnee Rock was one of the best known natural landmarks along the Santa Fe Trail. It was sometimes referred to as the "Citadel of the Prairie

The Santa Fe Trail brought oxen pulled Conestoga wagons to the big bend of the Arkansas River carrying people with vision. The Great Bend Town Company was organized in 1871. Less than a year later, the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad laid track into Great Bend. Like the hub of a giant wagon wheel laid on the prairie, Great Bend's commerce attracted people from all around the area, including cowboys who brought cattle to ship out on the train. Cowboys also had money to spend in the end-of-the trail towns. Money allowed the town to grow and attracted other merchants and settlers.