From the Lawrence Daily Journal-World for April 23, 1987:

Legislation to designate the 900-mile Santa Fe Trail a national historic trail had been approved by the U.S. Senate and forwarded to President Reagan. The trail route, which passes through southern Douglas County, had served as a main commercial trade route with the Southwest when it was opened in 1821. The Senate proposal, which had been approved by a voice vote of 403-3, called for the government to develop a plan for marking and managing segments of the trail.