Historic property featured at Sante Fe Trail Symposium

Boonslick & Beyond, the 2009 Santa Fe Trail Symposium, will be held in Arrow Rock this year. It features four days of activities.

Rich Lawson is on the National Board Santa Fe Trail Association and he owns a piece of property in Arrow Rock that more than 100 people have already signed up to see.

“It’s basically the first showing of the property,” Lawson said.

The property is Todd’s Ferry Landing. The use of the landing dates back to 1813 when ferry boats parked along the Missouri River.

“That was the epicenter for commerce at that time,” Lawson said.

Registered people will get their first glimpse of the property at 8:30 a.m. Sunday.

Lawson said the Santa Fe Trail is one of the only trails where people know the exact beginning and ending point.

“The Santa Fe Trail started here, not Independence, contrary to popular belief,” Lawson said.

The symposium begins at 6:30 a.m. today with registration. Lawson said people must register to attend the events, which include guest speakers, meals and the showing of his property. Registration fees vary depending on events.

“I think it’s an important piece of Missouri history,” Lawson said of the trail.

For more information about the symposium, visit arrowrock.org or friendsar.org.

SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES

Today: Registration and vendors, 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Arrow Rock Stolberg-Jackson Community Building; SFTA Board Meeting, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Old Schoolhouse; reception and guided tours of Prairie Park, 5 to 7:30 p.m.

Friday: Registration and vendors, 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Old Schoolhouse; opening of the symposium, 8:30 a.m. at the Lyceum Theatre; Speaker James Denny, 9:30 a.m.; Speaker Kathryn Red Corn, 10:30 a.m.; and Missouri barbecue, 6 p.m. at Turner Hall in Boonville.

Saturday: General association meeting, 8:30 a.m. at the Lyceum Theatre; Speaker Dr. Mary Ellen McVicker, 9 a.m.; Speaker Dr. Tim Baumann, 10 a.m.; Speaker Dr. James Harlan, 10:45 a.m.; and dinner, 6 p.m. at the Huston Tavern.

Sunday: Coffee, juice and short church service, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Arrow Rock bluff property of Rich Lawson.