Empire and Trails
From Main, 1 mile east on U.S. 56, then 2 miles south on 22. Now a quiet area in the country, it was once a bustling spot with covered wagons traveling on the Santa Fe Trail and stopping at nearby Fuller's Ranch (1855) for rest, water, and food. In 1871 Joseph Colby built the first permanent residence that started the town of Empire. In 1879 the railroad missed the town, and the buildings and people moved north to a railroad campsite that became Galva. A marker at this site mentions Fuller's Ranch, the town of Empire, and the Santa Fe Trail. An illustrated sign describes the Crossing of the Running Turkey Creek and the Cherokee Trail (gold seeker trail) meeting up with the Santa Fe Trail here. Brown signs mark where the Cherokee Trail crossed Iron Horse just east of 22.