Question

Why was William Becknell known as the ”father of the Santa Fe Trail”?

Answer 1

William Becknell is considered to be the "father of the Santa Fe trail" because he opened the Santa Fe trail in 1821. The Santa Fe trail was a major highway through North America until 1880 when the railroad was introduced. He opened the Santa Fe trail because he was looking for a convenient trade route to Santa Fe.

Answer 2

Why was William Becknell known as the ”father of the Santa Fe Trail”?

Step-by-step explanation:

The route was opened in 1821 by the merchant William Becknell, and the first white man to open to trade what later came to be known as the Santa Fe Trail.

This route became the first and only international route between the United States and Mexico, until the railroad to Santa Fe, New Mexico was built in 1880. Becknell became known as the ”father of the Santa Fe Trail”.