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Union Pacific Railway reaches Colorado in 1875
Courtesy Image 1831-1845. Independence, Kansas grew into a substantial town by 1831. Given an improved connection between the town and two Missouri River landings, Independence captured most of the Santa Fe Trail traffic during this period. Rival Westport was founded in 1832, and by the mid-1830s, nearby Westport Landing was attracting a small, but increasing portion of the New Mexico trade. Trail length from Independence to Santa Fe via the Cimarron Route was 800 miles.
