In 1880 the railroad reached Santa Fe, and the trail faded into history. Stagecoach lines also used the trail, thousands of gold seekers heading to the California and Colorado gold fields, adventurers, fur trappers, and emigrants. Commercial freighting along the trail continued, including considerable military freight hauling to supply the southwestern forts. When the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ended the war in 1848, the Santa Fe Trail became a national road connecting the United States to the new southwest territories. The Army of the West followed the Santa Fe Trail to invade New Mexico. From 1821 until 1846, it was an international commercial highway used by Mexican and American traders. Between 18, the Santa Fe Trail was primarily a commercial highway connecting Missouri and Santa Fe, New Mexico.
