Stretching 900 miles from Franklin, Missouri, to Santa Fe, New Mexico, the Santa Fe Trail was one of the most important North American trade routes of the nineteenth century. Begun in 1821, it remained in use for 60 years until the arrival of the railroad. The journey demanded hardy travelers as wagon trains of up to 500 wagons crossed the trail through blizzards, stampedes, dust storms, fires, disease, Indian attacks, and frequent shortages of water. Near Round Mound and Rabbit Ears, two landmarks of the trail, wagon trains camped for the night. William Becknell, the trader who inaugurated the Santa Fe Trail in 1821, passed this way on his return trip east while forging the smoother Cimarron Route across the plains. Unlike the great emigrant trails to the north, the Santa Fe Trail carried traffic in both directions, with traders from Mexico, or returning U.S. traders, bringing Mexican silver, gold, mules, buffalo and beaver pelts to markets in Missouri.