Santa Fe, Missouri facts for kids
Santa Fe is a small community in southeastern Monroe County, Missouri, United States. It's not an official city, but a small area where people live. Santa Fe is about 25 miles north of Mexico. It is also close to the southern part of Mark Twain Lake.
This community was started in 1836. It was named after Santa Fe, New Mexico, a city far to the west. Santa Fe has had its own post office since 1854, helping people send and receive mail for a very long time.
History of Santa Fe
Santa Fe began as a small settlement in 1836. Its name connects it to the famous Santa Fe Trail, even though this community isn't directly on the trail. The people who settled here likely hoped it would become a busy place like the larger Santa Fe in New Mexico.
Mark Twain's Connection
The famous writer Mark Twain, whose real name was Samuel Clemens, had family ties to this area. His family owned land near Santa Fe. A special building, the Mark Twain State Park Picnic Shelter at Buzzard's Roost, is located nearby. This shelter was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985. This means it's an important historical site worth protecting.
Civil War Battle
During the American Civil War, a battle took place in Santa Fe. This fight happened on July 24, 1862. It was between soldiers from the Union side and soldiers from the Confederate side.
Who Fought Here?
The Union soldiers were part of the 3rd Iowa Volunteer Cavalry Regiment. They were led by Colonel Henry Clay Caldwell. The Confederate soldiers were from the 1st Northeast Missouri Cavalry, led by Colonel Joseph C. Porter. This battle was one of many small but important clashes that happened across Missouri during the war.
