Enjoy these latest additions to our website:
Pillsbury Crossing Wildlife Area – (Legends of Kansas) Pillsbury Crossing is a beautiful natural limestone slab that pioneers used to cross Deep Creek in Riley County, KS.
Wabaunsee, Kansas – Extinct in Wabaunsee County – (Legends of Kansas) Wabaunsee, Kansas, a tiny town in Wabaunsee County, was one of the earliest settlements in the area. It was named for former Potawatomi Chief Wabaunsee.
Mount Mitchell Heritage Prairie Park, Kansas – (Legends of Kansas) Mount Mitchell is a hill in Wabaunsee County, Kansas, that looms over the rolling prairie of the Kansas River Valley with historical significance.
One-Room, Country, & Historic Schools of Wabaunsee County – (Legends of Kansas) There are several historic one-room schools in Wabaunsee County, Kansas.
Lake Wabaunsee, Kansas – (Legends of Kansas) Lake Wabaunsee is a man-made lake near Eskridge in Wabaunsee County, Kansas. It once housed a German POW camp.
Harveyville, Kansas – (Legends of Kansas) Settlers lived in the area of Harveyville for about 25 years before the town was formally established. George M. Harvey took the first claim here in May 1854.
Unpacking the Power of a Self-Care Reset Trip – (submitted by author Sharon Redd) Taking time to unplug and reacquaint yourself with yourself helps you remember who you are underneath the meetings, the obligations, and the notifications.
Echo Cliff Park, Kansas – (Legends of Kansas) Towering 75 feet above Mission Creek, Echo Cliff was formed from a series of events driven by the movement of seas and streams.
Fort DuPont, Delaware – Fort DuPont, Delaware, on the western shore of the Delaware River, south of Delaware City in New Castle County, was commissioned in 1898.
Camp Bird Mine, Colorado – The Camp Bird Mine, between Ouray and Telluride, Colorado, was a highly productive old gold mine in the San Juan Mountains.
San Elizario, Texas – Border Town – The settlement that became San Elizario was first established sometime before 1760 as the Hacienda de los Tiburcios on the south side of the Rio Grande.
May Newsletter – Bad day for Custer, Bound by Duty, The history of the U.S. Flag, Crossroad to the West, and much more! In this month’s newsletter.
Presidio de San Elizario, Texas – The Presidio Chapel of San Elizario, Texas, was built in 1877 at the same place where an earlier Mexican chapel stood. Located on a stretch of Camino Real de la Tierra Adentro (Royal Highway, San Elizario marks the start of the northbound trail in the United States as it moves across the Rio Grande out of Mexico, through the lower El Paso Valley, and into New Mexico.
Grant Johnson – U.S. Deputy Marshal – Born into slavery in 1858, Grant Johnson was one of the most noted peace officers in the history of the Indian Territory (Oklahoma).
El Paso, Texas – The El Paso region has had settlement for thousands of years. The city was incorporated in 1873 with a population of 23 Anglo-Americans and 150 Mexicans.
Ozark Trail Highway – The Ozark Trail Highway was a short-lived but significant cross-country highway organized by the Ozark Trails Association.
Bound by Duty – United in Friendship (the Nabor Pacheco/Harry Wheeler Story) – Author Steven ‘Pacheco’ McCann discusses the working relationship and friendship of Sheriff Pacheco and Arizona Ranger Harry Wheeler in early Arizona.
Dover, Kansas – (Legends of Kansas) Dover, Kansas, is an unincorporated community on Mill Creek southwest of Topeka in Shawnee County.
Wild Man of the Osage Hills – In the late 19th century, the Osage Hills of Oklahoma and Kansas were said to have been plagued by a phantom kidnapped, and murdered travelers in the area.
One-Room, Country, & Historic Schools of Morris County – (Legends of Kansas) There were numerous schools in Morris County, Kansas at one time. Several historic schools remain today.
One-Room, Country, & Historic Schools of Chautaugua County – (Legends of Kansas) In Chautaugua County, Kansas, education and the establishment of a school received attention long before the idea of founding a town emerged.
Elgin, Kansas – Chautauqua County Ghost Town – (Legends of Kansas) Elgin, Kansas, is a tiny town located in the fertile valley of the Big Caney River on the Oklahoma border. It has a history of the wild west, bank robberies, cattle, and oil.
Toronto Lake & Cross Timbers State Park – (Legends of Kansas) Cross Timbers State Park at Toronto Lake is located in the gently rolling hills of the Verdigris River Valley in southeast Kansas.
Arkansas River Lowlands – (Legends of Kansas) The surface of the Arkansas River Lowlands is a relatively flat alluvial plain made up of sand, gravel, and other sediment deposited by a meandering Arkansas River.
Chautauqua Hills of Kansas – (Legends of Kansas) In the southeastern corner of Kansas, the Chautauqua Hills region, which about ten miles in width, is a narrow strip of sandstone-capped rolling hills.
Chautauqua County, Kansas – (Legends of Kansas) The county is named after Chautauqua County, New York, the birthplace of Edward Jaquins, a Kansas politician who was instrumental in establishing the county.
Hewins, Kansas – Extinct in Chautauqua County – (Legends of Kansas) Hewins, Kansas, was established in 1886, following the massive flood on the Caney River in Chautauqua County in the fall of 1885.
Ozro Falls in Chautauqua County, Kansas – (Legends of Kansas) Ozro Falls in Chautauqua County, Kansas, are on the Caney River and drop over a ledge of naturally eroded limestone.
Butcher Falls, Kansas & the Red Buffalo Ranch – (Legends of Kansas) Butcher Falls is a beautiful waterfall on the eastern edge of the Flint Hills of Kansas. It is part of the Red Buffalo Ranch, owned by famous journalist Bill Curtis, and is open to the public.
Caney River of Kansas & Oklahoma – The Caney River is a 180-mile-long river that runs through southern Kansas and northeastern Oklahoma. The river is a tributary of the Verdigris River.
One-Room, Country, & Historic Schools of Montgomery County – (Legends of Kansas) The citizens of Montgomery County, Kansas, paid early and close attention to the matter of youth education and the establishment and maintenance of good schools.
Rock Creek Lake & Waterfall – (Legends of Kansas) Rock Creek Lake and its waterfalls are near Fort Scott in Bourbon County, Kansas. The 75-acre Rock Creek Lake is an integral part of the city water system.
Pittsburg, Kansas – Mining Queen of Southeast Kansas – (Legends of Kansas) Pittsburg, Kansas, in Crawford County, is located in the southeast part of the state near the Missouri state border. It is the most populous city in Crawford County and southeast Kansas.
One-Room, Country, & Historic Schools of Crawford County –(Legends of Kansas) In 1882, Crawford County had 7,114 children of school age, 5,546 of whom were enrolled.
Monmouth, Kansas – Extinct in Crawford County – (Legends of Kansas) Monmouth, Kansas, is an unincorporated town in Sheridan Township of southern Crawford County. It is also an extinct town, as it has no post office.
Farlington, Kansas – (Legends of Kansas) Farlington was laid out with the building of the Kansas City, Fort Scott, & Gulf Railroad in 1869.
Walnut, Kansas – (Legends of Kansas) Walnut, Kansas, is a small town in the northwestern part of Crawford County. This community was first called Glenwood when it was established.
Mulberry, Kansas – (Legends of Kansas) Mulberry, Kansas, is a small town in Lincoln and Washington Townships in eastern Crawford County. As of the 2020 census, the city’s population was 409.
Hepler, Kansas – (Legends of Kansas) Hepler, Kansas, is a tiny town in Walnut Township in the northwest part of Crawford County. As of the 2020 census, the city’s population was 90.
McCune, Kansas – (Legends of Kansas) McCune, Kansas, is a small town in southwest Crawford County on the divide between the Neosho River and Lightning Creek.
Brazilton, Kansas – Tiny Town in Crawford County – (Legends of Kansas) Brazilton, Kansas, is a tiny unincorporated community in Walnut Township of Crawford County. Its post office closed decades ago, making it an extinct town.
Stone City, Kansas – Lost in Cherokee County – (Legends of Kansas) Stone City, Kansas, was a mining town located in the northern part of the Cherokee County.
Cherokee, Kansas – (Legends of Kansas) Cherokee, Kansas, is a small town in Sheridan Township in southern Crawford County. As of the 2020 census, the city’s population was 590.
Arma, Kansas – (Legends of Kansas) Arma is a small town in Washington Township of Crawford County, Kansas. As of the 2020 census, its population was 1,407.
Tom Horn: A Complex Legend of the Old West – Evan Green, Firearms Historian for the Wyoming State Museum, helped us rewrite our story of Tom Horn and dispels some of the myths surrounding this controversial self-proclaimed killer for hire.
Escaping Smart: How to Plan a Weekend Getaway Without Breaking the Bank – (submitted by Sharon Redd) With a bit of strategy and an open mind, planning a cost-effective getaway doesn’t have to mean sacrificing comfort or experience.
April Newsletter – Utah War, the Maricopa, Tragedy of the Donner Party, Route 66 Road Trip, U.S. Marshals, and much more! In this month’s newsletter.
Chicopee, Kansas – (Legends of Kansas) Chicopee, Kansas, is a small town in Baker Township of Crawford County that began as a coal mining community.. As of the 2020 census, the population was 422.
Crawfordsville, Kansas – Extinct in Crawford County – (Legends of Kansas) Crawfordsville, Kansas, is a lost town in Crawford County. Located on Lightning Creek, it was two miles west and a half mile north of present-day Girard.
John X. Beidler – Marshal and Vigilante – John X. Beidler, who became known as “Vigilante X”, was a Montana Vigilante and Deputy U.S. Marshal.
William “Bill” Dudley Banks – U.S. Deputy Marshal – William “Bill” Dudley Banks was a U.S. Deputy Marshal who apprehended outlaws in Oklahoma Territory.
Colonel Theodore Spencer Case – A Kansas City Founder – Theodore Case was a Kansas City, Missouri, physician, scientist, soldier, businessman, and one of Kansas City’s founders.
Deputy Sheriff Andrew W. Balfour – Andrew “Andy” W. Balfour (or Belfour) was a Deputy Sheriff in Kiowa County, Kansas, in the 1890s. He was killed in the line of duty.
Jack Dunlap, aka Three Fingered Jack – Southwest Robber – Jack Dunlap (or Dunlop), aka Three-Fingered Jack, robbed banks and trains in Arizona in the closing days of the Old West.
Boston’s Underground Railroad – Boston, Massachusetts, had a prominent role in helping Black Americans flee enslavement in the South via the Underground Railroad.
Arthur Rothstein – Historic Photo Journalist – Arthur Rothstein, a photojournalist, is recognized for his five-decade career. His photographs provoked and entertained the American public.
New Santa Fe, Missouri – New Santa Fe, also known as Little Santa Fe, stood at the junction of the Santa Fe Trail and State Line Road in present-day southwest Kansas City, Missouri.
Salt Lake City, Utah – Salt Lake City, Utah, is the state’s capital and most populous city. It is also the county seat of Salt Lake County, the state’s most populous county.
Maricopa Tribe of Arizona – The Maricopa or Piipaash are a Native American tribe traditionally living on or near the Gila River in southern Arizona.
Battle of Pima Butte, Arizona – The Battle took place on September 1, 1857, near Maricopa Wells, Arizona. It is considered one of the most significant events in Arizona’s history, as it was the last major conflict involving the Yuma people and the last significant battle fought exclusively between Native Americans in North America.
Mojave Indian Tribe – The Mojave or Mohave are a Native Americans indigenous to the Colorado River in the Mojave Desert. The Fort Mojave Indian Reservation includes territory within California, Arizona, and Nevada borders. The Colorado River Indian Reservation includes parts of California and Arizona and is shared by members of the Chemehuevi, Hopi, and Navajo peoples.
Battle of Ojo Caliente Canyon, New Mexico – The Battle of Ojo Caliente Canyon in New Mexico was an engagement of the Jicarilla War on April 8, 1854 between Jicarilla Apache warriors and the U.S. Army.
Fort Independence, Boston, Massachusetts – Due to its strategic location on Boston Harbor, this site has been home to military fortifications for hundreds of years. It is considered the oldest fortified military site in British North America.
Kansas City in the Civil War – Kansas City was the Union’s District of the Border headquarters during the Civil War.
Fort Riley-Fort Kearny Military Road – On March 3, 1855, Congress appropriated $50,000 for surveying a road from Fort Riley, Kansas, to Bridger’s Pass in Wyoming. The first section was conducted from Fort Riley to Fort Kearny in Nebraska Territory.
The Bear Flag Republic of California – In 1846, during the Mexican-American War, explorer John Fremont and his men created and raised the Bear Flag over their declared California Republic.
Dominguez–Escalante Expedition – The Dominguez–Escalante Expedition was a Spanish exploration conducted in 1776 by Franciscan priests Atanasio Dominguez and Silvestre Velez de Escalante.
Fort Wallace-Fort Lyons Trail – The Fort Wallace-Fort Lyon Trail in Kansas and Colorado was blazed as the Union Pacific Railroad pushed westward across Kansas.
Studley, Kansas – Extinct in Sheridan County – (Legends of Kansas) Studley, Kansas, is a tiny unincorporated community in Valley Township of Sheridan County.
Grange History – Founded in 1867, shortly after the Civil War, the Grange, officially known as The National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry is recognized as the oldest national agricultural advocacy group in the United States.
Spring Hill, Kansas – (Legends of Kansas) The first settler in the township was James B. Hovey, who arrived at the present location in March 1857.
John Gotti – The Teflon Don – John Joseph Gotti Jr., often called the Teflon Don and Dapper Don, was an American gangster and boss of the Gambino crime family in New York City.
Fort Supply, Wyoming – Fort Supply was a Mormon pioneer-era fort in Uinta County, Wyoming, once part of Utah Territory. Located approximately 12 miles southwest of Fort Bridger, it was established in November 1853
Utah War – Also known as the Utah Expedition and the Mormon War, was an armed confrontation in the Utah Territory between members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), also known as Mormons, and the U.S. government’s armed forces.Taking place from May 1857 to July 1858, the conflict primarily involved Mormon settlers and federal troops, escalating from tensions over self-governance within the territory.
The Presidential Cabinet – All the President’s Men and Women: A Cabinet History, is a book that traces the evolution of Presidential Cabinets, successes and failures. Submitted by author David White, publisher of Social Studies for Kids.
Mary Johnson – Confessed Witch of Connecticut – Mary Johnson was the second person known to be hanged for witchcraft in colonial Connecticut. Story rewritten and submitted by Josh Hutchinson, co-host Witch Hunt podcast, a co-founder of the Connecticut Witch Trial Exoneration Project, the Massachusetts Witch-Hunt Justice Project, and End Witch Hunts
Bridger’s Pass, Wyoming – Bridger Pass is a mountain pass on the Continental Divide in southern Wyoming. It was second in importance only to South Pass, Wyoming, as a significant passageway over the Continental Divide during Westward Expansion and migration in the mid-1800s.
Fort Lookout, Kansas – Fort Lookout, in the northeast corner of Republic County, Kansas, was established by the U.S. Army in 1861, near the beginning of the Civil War. Its purpose was to protect the military road from Fort Riley, Kansas, to Fort Kearney, Nebraska Territory
Seneca Nation – The Seneca are an Iroquoian-speaking tribe historically living south of Lake Ontario, one of the five Great Lakes of North America.
Fort Harmer, Ohio – The first frontier fort built in Ohio Country, its objective was to prevent pioneer squatters from settling on Indian lands northwest of the Ohio River and to evict settlers already living there because they lacked government-issued land titles.
Miami, Florida – Coastal Playground – Miami has the third-largest skyline in the U.S., with over 300 high-rises, of which 61 exceed 491 feet. It was named after the Miami River, derived from Mayaimi, the historic name of Lake Okeechobee, and the Native Americans who lived around it until the 17th or 18th century.
Tequesta Tribe of Florida – Also known as the Tekesta, Tegesta, Chequesta, and Vizcayno, they were among the first tribes to settle near Biscayne Bay in the present-day Miami area.
January Newsletter – Indian territory in the Civil War, blazing the Rockies, Cloud City U.S.A., GOLD! and more, in this month’s newsletter.
Nat Turner’s Slave Rebellion – Nat Turner’s Rebellion, historically known as the Southampton Insurrection, was a four-day slave rebellion in Southampton County, Virginia, in August 1831.
Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina – Unlike most Indian tribes in the United States, the Lumbee Indians do not have a reservation or recognized tribal leadership. They own their land and have a strong community, but they are considered regular U.S. and North Carolina citizens and do not have sovereignty rights.
Pamunkey Tribe – The Pamunkey Indian Tribe is a federally recognized tribe that controls the Pamunkey Indian Reservation in King William County, Virginia. They are one of eleven Native American tribes in Virginia and an Indigenous people of the Northeastern Woodlands.
Native Americans in the Civil War – An estimated 20,000 Native Americans fought on both sides, with some reaching high ranks in both armies.
Oklahoma in the Civil War – As part of the Trans-Mississippi Theater, the Indian Territory was the scene of numerous skirmishes and seven officially recognized battles involving both Native American units allied with the Confederate States of America and Native Americans loyal to the United States government, as well as other Union and Confederate troops.
Oklahoma Civil War Battles – After abandoning its forts in the Indian Territory early in the Civil War, the Union Army was unprepared for the logistical challenges of trying to regain control of the territory from the Confederate government.
Tuscarora Tribe – The Tuscarora tribe is an Indigenous People of the Northeastern Woodlands in Canada and the United States. They are an Iroquoian Native American and First Nations people.
Chief Opothleyahola – Muscogee Creek Indian Leader – Chief Opothle Yahola was a Muscogee Creek Indian leader who was noted as a diplomatic chief and a brilliant orator. He was a Speaker of the Upper Creek Council who supported traditional Creek culture.
Indian Home Guard in Kansas – During the Civil War, the First Indian Home Guard Regiment was organized in Kansas in May 1862. The tri-racial Union regiment comprised Creek and Seminole Indians, African-Creek, and African-Seminole, with white officers commanding the unit.
Indian Home Guard.
Trail of Blood on Ice – The Trail of Blood on Ice was a Civil War Campaign in December 1861 in which pro-Union Native Americans were led by Upper Creek Indian Chief Opothle Yahola.
Fort Row, Kansas – Fort Row, Kansas, was a small headquarters of the Union Army’s local volunteer-mounted militia in Wilson County. Under the leadership of Captain John Row, the militia was formed in the summer of 1861 to defend the area against raids by Confederate guerrillas operating in eastern Kansas.
Woodson County, Kansas – (Legends of Kansas) Woodson County was one of the counties created by the first territorial legislature of 1855. It was named after Daniel Woodson, territorial secretary and a five-time acting governor of Kansas Territory.
Kalida, Kansas Ghost Town – (Legends of Kansas) Kalida, Kansas, is a ghost town in Woodson County. When this place was first settled, it was called Chellis.
Vernon – Kansas Ghost Town – (Legends of Kansas) Vernon was established about 11 miles northeast of Yates Center in 1886. Today it is a ghost town in northeastern Woodson County.
Rose, Kansas – Extinct in Woodson County – (Legends of Kansas) Rose, Kansas, is a ghost town in Eminence Township in the southern part of Woodson County. In the 1890s through early 1900s, more native prairie hay was baled and shipped out of Rose Station than anywhere in the world.
Almena, Kansas – (Legends of Kansas) A post office was established on June 10, 1872. It was named by Margaret Coleman, an early settler and first postmistress, for her hometown of Almena, Wisconsin.
Grainfield, Kansas – (Legends of Kansas) The town started in 1879 when the Kansas Pacific Railroad sent John B. Beal from Abilene, Kansas, to establish a new town.
Walker Army Airfield – (Legends of Kansas) Walker Army Airfield is an abandoned airfield in Ellis County, Kansas. It was a satellite airfield of the the Smoky Hill Army Airfield in Salina, Kansas.
Gove County, Kansas – (Legends of Kansas) Gove County, Kansas, is located in the northwest portion of the state. Its county seat is Gove City, and its most populous city is Quinter.
Densmore, Kansas – Norton County Ghost Town – (Legends of Kansas) John T. Densmore came to the area in 1874 and was one of the first settlers. Today Densmore is a ghost town near the Solomon River in West Union Township of Norton County.
Edmond, Kansas – Norton County Ghost Town – (Legends of Kansas) The original plat of Edmond was registered by John D. Edmond of Leavenworth, Kansas, on September 3, 1879.
Reager, Kansas – Extinct in Norton County – (Legends of Kansas) Reager, Kansas, is an extinct town in Norton County. There is very little left today, but a couple of buildings and some silos.
Fairhaven, Kansas – Extinct in Norton County – (Legends of Kansas) Fairhaven, Kansas, also spelled Fair Haven, was a hamlet in Grant Township of Norton County. It is a lost town today.
Oronoque, Kansas – Lost in Norton County – (Legends of Kansas) Oronoque, Kansas, was a village in Leota Township of Norton County. Other than its cemetery, the town is gone today.
Calvert, Kansas – Extinct in Norton County – (Legends of Kansas) This place started as Neighborville in the spring of 1872 when the Charles D. Bieber family from Indiana chose this location to settle.
New Almelo, Kansas – Extinct in Norton County – (Legends of Kansas) New Almelo, Kansas, is a small, unincorporated community in Southwest Norton County. This area was first homesteaded along the Solomon River in 1873 by Catholics from Canada.
Norton County Kansas – (Legends of Kansas) The county was established in 1867 and named for Civil War soldier Orloff Norton, captain of Company L of the 15th Kansas Militia Infantry Regiment.
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad – The Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad (reporting mark CBQ) was a railroad that operated in the Midwestern United States.
December Newsletter – Painted and Petrified, How a soda changed Santa, One Sketchy Doctor, A cautionary Christmas poem, and more! in this month’s Newsletter.
Morehead, Kansas – Extinct in Neosho County – (Legends of Kansas) Morehead, Kansas, is an unincorporated community in the Shiloh Township of Neosho County. It is also an extinct town, as its post office closed decades ago.
Labette County, Kansas – (Legends of Kansas) Labette County, Kansas, is located in the southeast part of the state. It was named after Labette Creek, the second-largest creek in the county, which runs from near Parsons to Chetopa.
Montana, Kansas – Extinct in Labette County – (Legends of Kansas) Montana, Kansas, is an extinct town in Montana Township of Labette County.
Mahaska, Kansas – (Legends of Kansas) Mahaska, Kansas, is a tiny town located one mile south of the Nebraska state line in Union Township of Washington County.
Washington, Kansas—Washington County Seat – (Legends of Kansas) Established around 1860, Washington, Kansas, has had five County Courthouses, three destroyed by fire and one tornado.
Indian Troubles in Washington County, Kansas – (Legends of Kansas) Indians never killed anyone within Washington County, Kansas. Still, the county’s people, during the raids of raids 1863 and 1864, were often panic-stricken.
Odin, Kansas – Extinct in Barton County – (Legends of Kansas) The Catholic community at Odin began in about 1870 when the first Moravian settlers came from Odin, Illinois.
Clay Center, Kansas – Clay County Seat – (Legends of Kansas) The city, on the east bank of the Republican River, was first settled in May 1862 by brothers John and Alonzo F. Dexter.
New York’s Historic Fields Witnessed Baseball’s Greatest Early Moments – (Submitted by Jackie Edwards) From Ebbetts Field to the Polo Grounds, the New York area has witnessed historic moments in America’s favorite pastime.
Flint Hills National Scenic Byway – (Legends of Kansas) The byway offers incredible views of the native grasses and flowers of the tallgrass prairie—one of the last remaining landscapes in America.
Cassoday, Kansas – (Legends of Kansas) Located on the present Flint Hills National Scenic Byway, Cassoday was founded on land owned by John G. Guthrie in May 1869, two years before the township was organized. It was named for John B. Cassoday, chief justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court.
Matfield Green – Extinct in Chase County – (Legends of Kansas) Matfield Green was founded by an English immigrant named David Mercer and named after Matfield in England. It was sparsely settled from the beginning.
Elmdale, Kansas – (Legends of Kansas) Elmdale, Kansas, is a tiny semi-ghost town on the Cottonwood River in Diamond Creek Township of Chase County.
Lake City, Kansas – Ghostly in Barber County – (Legends of Kansas) Lake City, Kansas, is a ghost town on the Medicine Lodge River in southwestern Barber County. At its peak there were about 1,000 residents in the immediate area.
Red, White, and Jolly: How Coca-Cola Changed Santa Claus – What was once a simple celebration of the birth of Christ is now a marketing juggernaut, thanks in large part to an advertising idea for a popular soda drink.
Bluff City, Kansas – (Legends of Kansas) Platted in November of 1886, Bluff City is a tiny town near Bluff Creek in southeast Harper County, Kansas.
Runnymede, Kansas—Extinct in Harper County—(Legends of Kansas) Runnymede was founded by North Irish emigrant Francis J.S. “Ned” Turnley, who came to the area from England around 1879 and advertised for young men to come to “a western paradise where golden birds sang in the trees and silver rivers ran tinkling to the sea.”
Crystal Springs – Extinct in Harper County – (Legends of Kansas) Established on January 16, 1885, Crystal Springs, Kansas, is an unincorporated community of Lake Township in Harper County.
Westmoreland, Kansas – Pottawatomie County Seat – (Legends of Kansas) Westmoreland, Kansas, located in Rock Creek Township, is the county seat of Pottawatomie County.
Wheaton, Kansas – Extinct in Pottawatomie County – (Legends of Kansas) Initially called Leghorn, this settlement was founded in 1867 on Rock Creek in the north-central part of the county. A post office was established on July 27, 1870.
Duluth, Kansas – Extinct in Pottawatomie County – (Legends of Kansas) Duluth, Kansas, is a tiny town in Pottawatomie County. It is also an extinct town without a post office.
Garrison, Kansas – (Legends of Kansas) Garrison, Kansas, was a village in Green Township in the Blue River Valley of Pottawatomie County. It is a lost town today because it was destroyed in 1959 to create Tuttle Creek Dam and Reservoir.
Flush, Kansas – Extinct in Pottawatomie County – (Legends of Kansas) Flush, Kansas, is an unincorporated extinct town in Pottawatomie Township of Pottawatomie County. Today, all that remains of the community is the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church campus.
One-Room, Country, & Historic Schools of Marshall County – (Legends of Kansas) There were over 100 One-Room, Country, & Historic Schools in Marshall County, Kansas.
One-Room, Country, & Historic Schools of Pottawatomie County – (Legends of Kansas) There are several historic schools in Pottawatomie County, Kansas.
Nemaha River in Nebraska & Kansas – The Nemaha River in Nebraska and Kansas is formed by two branches — the northern and longer rising in Panama Township of Lancaster County, Nebraska.
Albany, Kansas – Extinct in Nemaha County – (Legends of Kansas) Albany, Kansas, was established in 1857 on the Elwood and Marysville Territorial Road in Nemaha County.
Mormon Disaster at Murphy Lake in Nemaha County – (Legends of Kansas) In August 1855, about 40 Mormons passing through Nemaha County, Kansas died of cholera.
Washington County, Kansas – (Legends of Kansas) Washington County, Kansas, is in the northcentral part of the state and was named for George Washington, the United States’ first president.
Little Blue River of Kansas & Nebraska – The Little Blue River is a 245-mile-long river in southern Nebraska and northern Kansas.
Mormon Springs in Washington County, Kansas – (Legends of Kansas) Mormon Springs on Ash Creek in Washington County, Kansas, was a favorite camping ground of the Latter-Day Saints when they traveled to Utah.
One-Room, Country, & Historic Schools of Harvey County – (Legends of Kansas) There are several historic one-room schools in Harvey County, Kansas.
Kendall, Kansas – (Legends of Kansas) This place, located on the Santa Fe Trail was originally known as Aubrey, after the nearby Fort Aubrey that lasted about one year.
Coolidge, Kansas – (Legends of Kansas) Coolidge, Kansas, formerly Sargent, is a small town on the north bank of the Arkansas River in Hamilton County. As of the 2020 census, its population is 80.
Romantic Rendezvous in the Ruins: Planning Your Surprise Historical Getaway – (submitted by Sharon Redd) Embark on a journey of discovery with a thoughtfully planned surprise trip that delves into the annals of history, tailored just for your partner.
Lovewell, Kansas – Extinct in Jewell County – (Legends of Kansas) Lovewell, Kansas, is a ghost town in Sinclair Township of Jewell County. Snubbed by the railroads, the village’s development did not begin until 1887.
Salem, Kansas – Extinct in Jewell County – (Legends of Kansas) Salem, Kansas, is an extinct town in White Mound Township of Jewell County. It was ten miles east of Burr Oak in the fertile White Rock Valley.
Formoso, Kansas – (Legends of Kansas) Formoso, Kansas, a small town in Jewell County, started when the Chicago and Rock Island Railroad bypassed the neighboring town of Omio.
North Branch, Kansas – Extinct in Jewell County – (Legends of Kansas) Established in 1878, North Branch, Kansas, was a Quaker settlement in Walnut Township in the northwestern part of Jewell County. It is an extinct town today as its post office closed long ago.
Ionia, Kansas – Extinct in Jewell County – (Legends of Kansas) A.N. Cole homesteaded the first claim in Ionia Township in September 1869. The community continues to display several buildings, including its old high school, business buildings, and a number of homes.
Omnio, Kansas – (Legends of Kansas) Omio, Kansas, in Vicksburg and Grant Townships, was located in the eastern part of Jewell County, 15 miles from any other town. Today, the town is gone, and only one building remains to prove it ever existed.
Everest, Kansas – (Legends of Kansas) Everest began in 1882 with the building of the railroad through that territory. The town was named in honor of Colonel Aaron S. Everest, an attorney for the Central Branch Union Pacific Railroad
Dutch Harbor Naval Operating Base, Alaska – During World War II, the entirety of Amaknak Island was used by the United States Navy as an operating base and by the United States Army, which manned coastal defenses on the high ground at the northern and southern parts of the island.
Granada Theater – Lost in Chicago – The Granada Theatre was a 3,400-seat movie palace in the Rogers Park neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois.
Dundee, Kansas – Extinct in Barton County – (Legends of Kansas) This place got its start when 15 families of German descent migrated to the area from Russia in 1874 and 1875 to homestead on about 1,000 acres.
Kansas & Oklahoma Railroad – (Legends of Kansas) The railroad is a subsidiary of Watco, which took over the Central Kansas Railway (CKRY) operations on June 29, 2001.
Central Kansas Railway – (Legends of Kansas) The Central Kansas Railway (CKR) was a short-line railroad operating 900 miles of trackage in Kansas and west to Scott City, Kansas.
Albert, Kansas – (Legends of Kansas) Albert was founded in 1886 after the Walnut Valley & Colorado Railroad laid tracks from Great Bend to Scott City. The town site was platted on June 19, 1886.
Susank, Kansas – Extinct in Barton County – (Legends of Kansas) A post office was established on June 24, 1921. The city was named for Ed Susank, a county official.
Beaver, Kansas – Extinct in Barton County – (Legends of Kansas) Beaver is an extinct town in Beaver Township of Barton County, Kansas. However, it is a census-designated place, and as of the 2020 census, the population was 52.
Galatia, Kansas – Extinct in Barton County – (Legends of Kansas) David C. Barrows founded the community and laid out the townsite in 1885. Originally named Four Corners, settler Henry G. Weber renamed it Galatia after his hometown of Galatia, Illinois.
Boyd, Kansas – Ghostly in Barton County – (Legends of Kansas) This village was first called Maherville when it began as a station on the Missouri Pacific Railroad in 1873.
Mont Ida, Kansas – Extinct in Anderson County – (Legends of Kansas) On February 9, 1881, the town and post office names were changed from Oneida to Mont Ida, after Mont Lewis, an early settler and relative of Enos J. Broomhall, and Ida for his oldest daughter.
Garnett, Kansas – Anderson County Seat – (Legends of Kansas) The city includes three places on the National Register of Historic Places: the Anderson County Courthouse, Sennett and Bertha Kirk House, and Shelley-Tipton House. It is also home to the 1858 Garnett House Hotel.
Erie, Kansas – Neosho County Seat – (Legends of Kansas) Erie was founded in 1866 as a compromise between two nearby rival towns — “Old Erie” and Crawfordsville.
Earlton, Kansas – Extinct in Neosho County – (Legends of Kansas) Earlton was founded in 1870 on 50 acres of land owned by the Leavenworth, Lawrence & Galveston Railroad. J.C. Lantz started the town in the railroad’s interest.
Amiot, Kansas – Extinct in Anderson County – (Legends of Kansas) Amiot, Kansas, was a village in Reeder Township, in the extreme western part of Anderson County. Today, it is an abandoned town with no remains other than a stone marker.
Bush City, Kansas – Extinct in Anderson County – (Legends of Kansas) On April 5, 1880, a post office called Haskell was established. The post office’s name was changed to Bush City on April 19, 1921, because mail designated for the Haskell post office was often confused with the mail for the Haskell Indian School in Lawrence, Kansas.
Harris, Kansas – (Legends of Kansas)Settlement along Elm Creek, south of the present site of Harris, began as early as 1855.
Kansas, Nebraska and Dakota Railroad – (Legends of Kansas) The Kansas, Nebraska, and Dakota Railroad was established in 1885.
Colony, Kansas – (Legends of Kansas) Colony, Kansas, is a small town on Deer Creek in Ozark Township near the southern boundary of Anderson County.
Savonburg, Kansas – Extinct in Allen County – (Legends of Kansas) Savonburg, Kansas, is an unincorporated small town in Elsmore Township in the southeast corner of Allen County.
Norway, Kansas – Extinct in Republic County – (Legends of Kansas) Norway, Kansas, is a ghost town on the Republican River in Norway Township of southwest Republic County. As of the 2020 census, the population was 17.
October Newsletter – St. James Hotel looking for new owners, Firestorm in Peshtigo, Death Valley Ghost Towns, a Stagecoach Brawl and more!! in this month’s newsletter.
Ames, Kansas – Extinct in Cloud County – (Legends of Kansas) One of the first buildings in the area was the First Union Church of Ames, a neat frame building erected in 1872. Today, only a marker notes that a town once existed.
Lovewell Reservoir & State Park – (Legends of Kansas) Lovewell State Park was established in 1967. The 1,160-acre park features utility camping, cabins, a beach, and access to Lovewell Reservoir. It is excellent for water sports, angling, archery, hunting, disc golf, and wildlife watching.
Burr Oak, Kansas – (Legends of Kansas) Established in 1870, by the early 1880s, Burr Oak was the largest and most prosperous town in Jewell County.
Bridgeport, Kansas – Extinct in Saline County – (Legends of Kansas) The first known settler in the area was D.F. Hopkins, who came from Iowa in 1866 and eventually claimed 360 acres.
One-Room, County, & Historic Schools Of Lincoln County – (Legends of Kansas) The first thought of Lincoln County, Kansas, pioneers was for their children’s education. In 1870, a young man named Marion Ivy taught the first school in a dugout in Martin Hendrickson’s dooryard.
Stagecoach Brawl – (Submitted by Daniel R. Seligman) Competition was fierce between Stagecoach companies. The Marysville-to-Sacramento stagecoach run on November 14, 1858 is but one example.
The Impact of Canals on the Development of 19th-Century America – (Submitted by Jackie Edwards) As well as supporting commercial transportation, canals in the US improved the quality of land, encouraged migration, and even enabled the spread of ideas.
One-Room, Country, & Historic Schools of Shawnee County, Kansas – (Legends of Kansas) Early history of education and schools in Shawnee County, Kansas.”
August Newsletter – Another Santa Fe Trail Blazer, Gunfight in Newton, Healing waters in Arkansas, An Authentic Ghost Town in Wyoming, and More!!! In this month’s newsletter.
Expeditions & Exploration of America – ***New Category*** The exploration of North America by European sailors and geographers was an effort by major European powers to map and explore the continent with the goal of economic, religious, and military expansion.
The Glenn–Fowler Expedition to Santa Fe – Colonel Hugh Glenn and Jacob Fowler led the Glenn-Fowler expedition to Santa Fe, New Mexico, from 1821 to 1822. They sought to establish trade with the tribes that inhabited the southern plains and determine whether trade with the Spanish in the region would be feasible.
Syracuse, Kansas – Hamilton County Seat – (Legends of Kansas) Syracuse began as a stop on the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railroad. The site was initially called Hollidaysburg in honor of Cyrus K. Holliday, the railroad’s first President.
Menno, Kansas – Extinct in Hamilton County – (Legends of Kansas) Menno, Kansas, in Hamilton County, started when a small colony of Mennonites from McPherson and Marion Counties migrated to the area in 1906.
Hamilton County Kansas – (Legends of Kansas) Hamilton County, Kansas, is in the southwest part of the state. It was located on the Mountain Branch of the Santa Fe Trail and was home to Fort Aubrey.
Idana, Kansas – Extinct in Clay County – (Legends of Kansas) Idana was founded in 1882 as a smattering of small homesteads near the Union Pacific Railroad tracks.
Detroit, Kansas – Extinct in Dickinson County – (Legends of Kansas) Detroit, Kansas, in Dickinson County, is a census-designated place with a population of 102 in 2020. The community started in 1857 as Lamb’s Point.
La Balize, Louisiana – An Extinct Fort – La Balize, Louisiana, was a French fort and settlement near the mouth of the Mississippi River in what later became Plaquemines Parish.
Battle of Fallen Timbers, Ohio – The Battle of Fallen Timbers, Ohio, on August 20, 1794, was the final battle of the Old Northwest Indian War.
Pickawillany, Ohio Raid – Pickawillany was an 18th-century Miami Indian village located on the Great Miami River in the Ohio Valley near the modern city of Piqua, Ohio. It would become the scene of conflict between French & British traders vying for business with the Miami tribe.
American Scandals & Frauds – **New Category** Since time immemorial, the United States and the world have been steeped in scandal.
Scandals of FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover – John Edgar Hoover, the first and longest-serving Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, was a very powerful man who was a controversial figure.
Haunted New Orleans, Louisiana – The city is so rich with dark secrets and lore that it has become an essential part of its character.
Margaret Haughery & the Infant Asylums of New Orleans – Margaret Gaffney Haughery was a beloved historical figure in New Orleans, Louisiana, in the 1880s. She devoted her life to caring for the poor and hungry.
President Harry S. Truman – Harry S. Truman was the 33rd President of the United States, serving from 1945 to 1953.
Corbin, Kansas – Extinct in Sumner County – (Legends of Kansas) Corbin was founded by a colony from Missouri, which purchased 80 acres of land. Before the colony arrived, a post office was established at Hurst Crossing on June 28, 1878.
Denver, Colorado – Mile High City – It is nicknamed the Mile High City, as its official elevation is one mile (5,280 ft) above sea level. It has also historically been known as the Queen City of the Plains and the Queen City of the West because of its important role in the agricultural industry.
Watkins Woolen Mill & State Park, Missouri – (Photo Travel Blog) Nestled in the rolling hills of Northwest Missouri, near Lawson and Excelsior Springs, is the only 19th-century textile mill in the United States with its original machinery.
National Old Trails Road – The National Old Trails Road, also known as the Ocean-to-Ocean Highway, was established in 1912 and became part of the National Auto Trail System. In 1926, much of the road from Colorado East became U.S. 40 and U.S. Route 66.
Boone’s Lick Road, Missouri – The Boone’s Lick Road or Boonslick Trail was an east-west transportation route in the early 1800s from eastern to central Missouri.
Harper County, Kansas – (Legends of Kansas) The organization of Harper County in 1873 proved to be one of the most gigantic frauds ever perpetrated in connection with county organizations.
Parkerfield, Kansas – (Legends of Kansas) Parkerfield, Kansas, in Creswell Township, is the newest town in Cowley County. It was incorporated in 2004 after area rural residents made a stand against nearby Arkansas City, stopping them from annexation.
The Significance of Tags, Badges and Insignia During the American Civil War – (Submitted by Jackie Edwards) Many military badges and insignia become a source of great pride to the wearer. This was especially true during the American Civil War.
Mayfield, Kansas – (Legends of Kansas) Mayfield got its start in 1880, and a post office was established on September 8, 1880.
Milton, Kansas – Tiny Town in Sumner County – (Legends of Kansas) This community was founded in 1878 and was initially called Levy.
Perth, Kansas – Extinct in Sumner County – (Legends of Kansas) Perth, Kansas, is an unincorporated community of Downs Township in south central Sumner County.
Milan, Kansas – Ghostly in Sumner County – (Legends of Kansas) Milan, Kansas, in Sumner County, is a tiny ghost town on the Chikaskia River. As of the 2020 census, its population was 56.
Freeport, Kansas – Extinct in Harper County – (Legends of Kansas) Before officially being established as a city, Freeport was preceded by a settlement called Midlothian in 1878, about three miles southeast of the present site.
June/July Newsletter – Fighting for future freedoms, Road trip to Copper Island, Chief Joseph, It’s our birthday, and more in this month’s newsletter.
St. Paul, Kansas & The Osage Mission – (Legends of Kansas) Dating back to 1847, St. Paul, Kansas, originally called Osage Mission, is a small town in Neosho County. Today’s population sits around 614.
Ashton, Kansas – Extinct in Sumner County – (Legends of Kansas) Located in Walton Township, a post office was established on February 26, 1887. Today the town is mostly abandoned.
Southern Kansas and Western Railroad – (Legends of Kansas) On February 11, 1879, the Southern Kansas and Western Railroad started west from Independence, Kansas.
Waldron, Kansas – Extinct in Harper County – (Legends of Kansas) Located at the southern edge of Kansas, near the Oklahoma state border, Waldron was founded in 1900. As of the 2020 census, its population was nine.
Oxford, Kansas and the Old Mill – (Legends of Kansas) Oxford, Kansas, is a small town in Sumner County. As of the 2020 census, the city’s population was 1,048. Its 1870s flour mill is on the National Historic Register.
How Dearborn Put The World on Wheels – (Submitted by Jackie Edwards) The man who brought us the great automobile company was a force to be reckoned with – and he brought the Michigan town of Dearborn to prominence, too.
McPherson, Kansas – (Legends of Kansas) McPherson, Kansas, is the county seat and largest city of McPherson County. As of the 2020 census, its population peaked at 14,082.
John Tecumseh Jones – Kansas Missionary – (Legends of Kansas) Reverend John Tecumseh Jones, was a leading businessman and Baptist minister who served as an interpreter and leader for the Potawatomi tribe in Kansas.
Salina, Lincoln, and Western Railroad – (Legends of Kansas) The Salina, Lincoln, and Western Railroad was a three-foot standard gauge line built westward from Salina, Kansas, through Lincoln, Kansas.
Ramona, Kansas – (Legends of Kansas) The Ramona area was one of the last to be settled in Marion County. The first settlers, many of whom were of German ancestry, arrived in the late 1870s and early 1880s.
Redfield, Kansas – (Legends of Kansas) Redfield was founded in 1866 and named for Dr. Redfield, an early settler. A post office was established on May 22, 1872.
St. Louis, Fort Scott & Wichita Railway – (Legends of Kansas) The St. Louis, Fort Scott & Wichita Railway, a subsidiary of the Missouri Pacific Railroad, was chartered on February 23, 1880, to run 158 miles between Fort Scott, Kansas, and Wichita, Kansas.
Devon, Kansas – Ghostly in Bourbon County – (Legends of Kansas) Devon was founded in 1860 and was first named Mill Creek for a nearby little creek.
Baltimore & Ohio Railroad – On February 28, 1827, the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad (B&O) became the first steam-operated railway in the United States chartered for the commercial transportation of freight and passengers.
May/June Newsletter – The Engineers Frontier, Custer’s Last Stand, Adventure in Keweenaw Copper, The Legend of our Nation’s First Flag, And more!
Old Northwest Territory – The old Northwest Territory in the United States, formed after the American Revolution, encompassed the land between the Great Lakes, the Mississippi River, and the Ohio River.
One-Room, Country, & Historic Schools of Leavenworth County – (Legends of Kansas) The history of the Leavenworth County schools began with the organization of the school board on July 3, 1858, with Nelson McCracken as president.
Meridian Highway – The Meridian Road was organized by a group of boosters from Kansas and Nebraska to promote a north-south automobile route through the central United States.
Drury, Kansas & Drury Dam Waterfall – (Legends of Kansas) Once known as the “Playground of Kansas & Oklahoma,” Drury got its start when the Drury dam and mill was built in 1883.
From the Golden Age to Today’s Modern Marvels: The History of America’s Sports Cars – (submitted by Jackie Edwards) From the Golden Age to the high-tech features of today, the history of sports cars in America boasts a variety of unique and innovative examples.
Notable and Historic US Military Bases – (submitted by Jackie Edwards) There are now between 450 and 500 military bases located throughout all 50 states in the US, however some, like Pearl Harbour, are more notable for the significant part they played in history.
The Great Medicine Road of the Whites – White Migration on The Overland, The Mormon, Emigrant Road, The Salt Lake Route, and California Trail was known to Natives as The Great Medicine Road.
The Engineers’ Frontier – Railway speculation was boiling over in the West, so the group of men advocating a railway to connect the oceans was but a product of their time.
Mining in the Rocky Mountain West – Within 15 years of the gold discoveries in California, there was more exploration and settlement in hundreds of valleys scattered over the Rocky Mountain West.
Kansas and the Indian Frontier – (Legends of Kansas) The settlement of Kansas was stimulated little by the ordinary westward impulse but greatly by political ambition and sectional rivalry.
Indian Territory in Kansas – (Legends of Kansas) Kansas was originally occupied by four great Indian tribes, including the Osage, the Pawnee, the Kanza, and the Comanche, who claimed Kansas and extended widely beyond its present limits.
The Peace Commission & the Struggle of the Great Plains – With partisan feuds over how to handle Indian troubles, Congress created the Peace Commission in 1867 to deal with the tribes diplomatically.
Navarre, Kansas – (Legends of Kansas) Navarre, Kansas, an unincorporated community in Logan Township of Dickinson County, is an extinct town today.
Concordia, Kansas – (Legends of Kansas) Concordia was elected the county seat before the town was created. The founder, James M. Hagaman, created a complete town layout on paper. It was named “Concordia” because a member of the early group of promoters, “Cap” Snyder, had once lived in Concordia, Missouri, and had paid homage to the German heritage.
Kingman, Kansas – (Legends of Kansas) As early as 1872, a party from Hutchinson, Kansas, organized a town company and located a town called Sherman on what is now the townsite of Kingman, now the county seat.
Cleveland Kansas – Extinct in Kingman County – (Legends of Kansas) Cleveland, Kansas, is an extinct town in Belmont Township of Kingman County.
April Newsletter – Dogwoods in Bloom, Riding the Pony Express, The end of the war, Getting away with murder, and more!! in this month’s newsletter.
Dogwood Canyon Nature Park.
Dogwood Canyon Nature Park in Missouri – (Travel Photo Blog) Near the small town of Lampe, in the Ozarks of southwestern Missouri, Dogwood Canyon Nature Park is a privately owned venture started with one intention: connect Missourians with Nature while preserving it.
John Wesley Powell – Exploring the Grand Canyon – John Wesley Powell was an American geologist, U.S. Army soldier, and explorer of the American West.
Fort Ticonderoga, New York – Fort Ticonderoga is a large 18th-century star fort built by the French at a narrows near the south end of Lake Champlain in northern New York.
Fort Niagara, New York, courtesy of Wikipedia.
Old Fort Niagara, New York – Old Fort Niagara, New York, also known as the Colonial Niagara Historic District, was a fortification built by New France to protect its interests in North America.
San Diego Presidio, California – El Presidio Real de San Diego is a historic fort in San Diego, California. Today, it commemorates the beginning of the mission effort and European settlement in California and on the Pacific Coast.
Dearborn Arsenal, Michigan – The Federal artillery arsenal was built to support American troops during the Indian Wars in the “Old Northwest Territory” and served as an Army depot for repairing guns and storing gunpowder and ammunition.
Fort Michilimackinac, Michigan buildings, courtesy Wikipedia.
Fort Michilimackinac, Michigan – Fort Michilimackinac, Michigan, was an 18th-century French and later British fort and trading post on the Straits of Mackinac.
Burnett’s Trading Post, Michigan – Burnett’s Trading Post was once located in present-day St. Joseph, Michigan. Active from the 1770s to 1833, it was operated by William Burnett, a French fur trader and American patriot from New Jersey.
Monocacy National Battlefield, Maryland – The Battle of Monocacy, Maryland, was a Civil War conflict fought on July 9, 1864, as part of the Valley Campaigns.
Baltimore, Maryland -The Monumental City – Baltimore, Maryland, on the Patapsco River close to Chesapeake Bay is the most populous city in the state, with 585,708 people at the 2020 census.
St. Clair’s Defeat – Forgotten Disaster of the Indian Wars – When the U.S. Army faced the Western Confederacy of Native Americans during the Northwest Indian War, it suffered “the most decisive defeat in the history of the American military” and its largest defeat ever by Native Americans.
Brule Sioux Village, 1891, colorized
Indian War Campaigns of the United States – As settlers spread westward across the United States after 1780, conflicts increased in size, duration, and intensity between settlers and various tribes.
Fort Washington, Ohio – Fort Washington, in present-day Cincinnati, Ohio, was a fortified stockade with blockhouses built by order of General Josiah Harmar. Major John Doughy established the fort on the Ohio River’s north bank at the mouth of the Licking River in 1790.
Fort Mifflin, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – Commissioned in 1771, Fort Mifflin was first called Fort Island Battery on the Delaware River below Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Chickahominy Emblem.
Chickahominy Tribe – The Chickahominy people are a tribe of the Powhatan Confederacy who formerly lived in permanent villages on the Chickahominy River in Virginia.
Piscataway-Conoy Tribe – The Piscataway/Conoy people are an Algonquian tribe related to the Lenape/Delaware, from whose ancestral stem they apparently sprang.
Famous Trials in America – Infamous trials throughout American History have created great theater for the masses. Some cases capture the public’s imagination and cause a media frenzy.
Thomas Sims Kidnapped.
Fugitive Slave Law – The Act was one of the most controversial elements of the 1850 compromise and heightened Northern fears of a slave power conspiracy.
Shawnee, Kansas – The Gateway to Kansas – (Legends of Kansas) Starting as a Mission to area natives, Shawnee, Kansas, in northern Johnson County, is the seventh-most populous municipality in the Kansas City metropolitan area.
Cloud County Indian Conflicts – (Legends of Kansas) Robberies and outrages of various kinds occurred for several years, beginning in 1860. Horse stealing seemed to be the Indians’ peculiar weakness.
Camp Concordia – POW Camp – (Legends of Kansas) Camp Concordia was a prisoner-of-war (POW) camp in Cloud County, Kansas, operating from 1943 to 1945, about two miles north and one mile east of Concordia. The camp was used primarily for German Army prisoners captured in battles in Africa during World War II.
Virginia City, Nevada, 1866.
Getting Away With Murder – (submitted by Daniel R. Seligman) During the mining heyday of Virginia City, Nevada, Deborah Ann Phillips, a proper lady, shot and killed her drunk neighbor and got away with murder.
St. Joseph, Kansas – Extinct in Cloud County – (Legends of Kansas) St. Joseph, Kansas, is an extinct town in Cloud County. In 1873, Father Louis-Marie Mollier was sent to build a church.
Churches of Kansas – (Legends of Kansas) The first churches in what is now the State of Kansas were established while it was still an unorganized territory.
Historic Kansas Churches – Skyscrapers of the Plains – (Legends of Kansas) Today, there are numerous historic and beautiful church buildings in Kansas.
Catholic Church in Kansas – Catholic mission work in what is now the State of Kansas was started in 1827 when Father Van Quickenborn visited the Osage Indians in southern Kansas.
Presbyterian Church of Kansas – (Legends of Kansas) The Presbyterian church was the pioneer organization to begin work in what is now the State of Kansas.
Quaker Church of Kansas – (Legends of Kansas) The religious order known as Friends, more commonly called Quakers, originated in England around 1647. They were in Kansas by 1834.
Methodist Episcopal Church in Kansas – (Legends of Kansas) Methodists were among the first denominations in Kansas and, in 1906, had the strongest in numbers, with a total membership of over 121,000.
Christian Church of Kansas – (Legends of Kansas) The Christian Church, or Disciples of Christ, sometimes called Campbellites, began work in Kansas in the 1860s.
Baptists in Kansas – (Legends of Kansas) Being among the first missionaries, the Baptists were among the first to form permanent organizations in Kansas.
The History of the Sovereign States of America – (submitted by Wes Littlefield of Ammo.com) It wasn’t always territories and “united” states. These self-governing states made their own laws, minted coins, waged wars, and conducted foreign policy completely separate from any larger government.
Independence Day in Philadelphia, courtesy Visit Philadelphia.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – Independence Begins – The story of Philadelphia is the story of the founding of our nation’s principles and freedoms a century before the American Revolution.
Lobo, King of the Corrumpa – (submitted by Matt Doherty) The story of the North American Grey Wolf named Lobo and how his plight and capture in Corrumpa Valley of New Mexico spurred the start of the conservationist movement.
February Newsletter – Red Summer of 1919, The Belle Witch, Great Cities Across America, Women’s History Month, and much more!
People of the American Revolution – From the founding fathers to soldiers, camp followers, wives, and military leaders, there were numerous heroes of the American Revolution.
Great Cities Across America – From coast to coast, these destinations beckon with promises of adventure, discovery, and the opportunity to experience the rich diversity that defines the American experience.
Seattle, Washington’s Skyline by Carol Highsmith.
Seattle, Washington – At the Center of the Klondike Gold Rush – (expanded from a previously published article), Seattle has a history of boom-and-bust cycles, rising and falling several times economically.
4 of the Best Texas Cities for History-Loving Digital Nomads – (submitted by author Sharon Redd) This article explores four hidden gems across the great state of Texas that will serve as the perfect destination for your remote working lifestyle while also satisfying your passion for history.
The Bell Witch: Tennessee’s Most Haunting Legend (submitted by author Jackie Edwards): The Bell Witch is one of the most famous legends in American folklore. It centers around the Bell family in Adams, Tennessee, during the early 19th century.
The founding of Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C. – The Capitol City – Washington, D.C., formally known as the District of Columbia, is the capital and federal district of the United States.
Dick Yeager – Bushwacking Kansas – Richard Francis Yeager, better known as Dick, was a Confederate guerilla who joined up with William Quantrill during the Civil War.
Red Summer & Civil Unrest – The summer of 1919 was branded “Red Summer” because of the bloodshed that occurred during the worst white-on-black violence in U.S. history.
Kansas City Freeways, courtesy Missouri Department of Transportation.
Kansas City Metropolitan Area – Comprised of 14 counties that straddle the border between Missouri (9 counties) and Kansas (5 counties), it covers 8,472 square miles and has a population of more than 2.2 million people.
Gardner, Kansas – (Legends of Kansas) Gardner was founded where the Santa Fe Trail and the Oregon/California Trails were divided after sharing the same routes from Independence and Westport, Missouri.
Gardner Lake, Kansas – (Legends of Kansas) The Works Progress Administration built this 100-acre man-made lake between 1935 and 1938 to relieve the area’s drought conditions.
Olathe, Kansas – (Legends of Kansas) In the spring of 1857, Dr. John T. Barton staked two-quarter sections of land as a townsite. Carpeted with a profusion of wildflowers, the location impressed Doctor Barton as beautiful. With him was a Shawnee Indian named Dave Dougherty, who exclaimed “O-la-the,” the Indian word for beautiful, which was adopted for the name of the future city.
Vintage Olathe, Kansas.
Winfield, Kansas – (Legends of Kansas) Winfield, Kansas, is the county seat of Cowley County. It is located on the Walnut River at its confluence with Timber Creek in south-central Kansas.
Rock, Kansas – (Legends of Kansas) Rock, Kansas, is an unincorporated village on the Walnut River in Rock Creek Township of Cowley County. The community started in 1869 when settlers began homesteading the area.
Top Tips for Winter Travel in Mountainous Regions – (Submitted by Alejandra Leyva) Sure, winter travel in mountainous regions can be fun and exciting. However, the harsh weather conditions and rugged terrains present unique challenges.
January Newsletter – The Great Migration, Greatest Black Cowboy, Native Ordeals, Trading Posts & their Stories, and more!!
Le Hunt, Kansas – Forgotten & Haunted – A ghost town today, little is left of the town beyond a few old ruins of the cement plant and an old cemetery. (Expanded from the existing article)
The Great Migration – Also known as the Great Northward Migration or the Black Migration, approximately six million African Americans moved from the American South to Northern, Midwestern, and Western states roughly from the 1910s until the 1970s.
Panoramic View of New York City, by Albert Brabazon, 1945.
New York City, New York – New York City, New York, located at the mouth of the Hudson River, is the most populous city in the United States, with a population of 8,804,190 in 2020.
New York City Boroughs – The boroughs were created during an 1898 consolidation when the city’s current boundaries were established. Each borough is situated in its own county.
New York City Timeline – Chronology of events of New York City, New York.
McPherson College – (Legends of Kansas) McPherson College, in McPherson, Kansas, was chartered in August 1887 by leaders of the German Baptist Brethren church.
Ladore, Kansas – Extinct in Neosho County – (Legends of Kansas) Ladore was first called Fort Roach in honor of James N. Roach, its principal founder. Today, Ladore is an extinct town in Ladore Township of southern Neosho County.
Neosho County, Kansas – (Legends of Kansas) Neosho County, Kansas, located in the southeast part of the state, was named after the Neosho River, which passes through the county.
Jacksonville, Kansas – Extinct in Neosho County –(Legends of Kansas) Jacksonville, Kansas, is an extinct town in Lincoln Township of Neosho County.
Leavenworth, Lawrence & Galveston Railroad – (Legends of Kansas) It was hoped that this railroad would help establish economic bonds with the South and link the cotton fields to the transcontinental railroad then being projected across Kansas.
Alexander Gardner, Photographer.
Alexander Gardner – Historic American Photographer– Alexander Gardner was a Scottish photographer who immigrated to the United States in 1856 and became well known for documenting the Civil War.
Present Colleges & Universities of Kansas – (Legends of Kansas) Current list of colleges and universities in Kansas.
Washburn Univesity, Topeka, Kansas – (Legends of Kansas) Washburn University is a public university in Topeka, Kansas, that offers undergraduate and graduate programs and professional programs in law and business.
Past Colleges & Universities of Kansas – (Legends of Kansas) There are dozens of colleges and universities in Kansas that have come and gone.
Midland College and Western Theological Seminary, Atchison, Kansas – (Legends of Kansas) Midland College and Western Theological Seminary was founded in 1887 in Atchison, Kansas. The name Midland College was selected because of the college’s location midway between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
Academy of Mount St. Scholastica.
State Industrial School For Girls, Beloit, Kansas – (Legends of Kansas) Beloit, Kansas was home to the girls’ reformatory, one of the longest operating schools in the country, and not without its controversies.
Academy of Mount St. Scholastica, Atchison, Kansas – (Legends of Kansas) One of the first sights to impress early visitors to Atchison, Kansas, was the imposing collection of buildings that crown its southern hill, which comprised the Academy of Mount St. Scholastica.
Kansas City University, Kansas – (Legends of Kansas) Kansas City University was a private Methodist university in Kansas City, Kansas, that was founded in 1896.
Atchison College Institute, Atchison, Kansas – (Legends of Kansas) The Atchison College Institute was founded in September 1870 by Mrs. Harriet E. Monroe, its proprietor and president. A private school, it was a cooperative enterprise of instructors.
Harriet Earhart Monroe – (Legends of Kansas) Harriet Earhart Monroe was a lecturer, educator, writer, and traveling producer of religious stage plays.
Students at the Industrial School for Boys in Topeka, Kansas.
State Industrial School for Boys, Topeka, Kansas – (Legends of Kansas) The school was opened for the reception of boys on June 6, 1881. Seventy-three boys were admitted during the first year.
Boston, Kansas – Extinct in Chautauqua County – (Legends of Kansas) Boston, Kansas tried hard to become the county seat, even resorting to stealing it, but failed and would have a relatively short existence.
Elk County, Kansas – (Legends of Kansas) Elk County, Kansas, in the southeastern part of the state, was named for the Elk River, a tributary of the Verdigris River. The county seat and most populous city is Howard.
Professor Ernest Hawkins – Teaching in Fort Scott – (Legends of Kansas) The son of former slaves, Professor Ernest Hawkins, was an educator and civic leader in Fort Scott, Kansas, who was inducted into the 2001 Kansas Teachers Hall of Fame, the first person to be inducted posthumously.
Cave Springs, Kansas – Extinct in Elk County – (Legends of Kansas) Cave Springs, Kansas, south of Indian Creek, is an extinct town in Elk County founded in about 1873.
Busby, Kansas – Extinct in Elk County – (Legends of Kansas) At its peak, Busby had two general stores, two blacksmith shops, a hotel, a restaurant, a post office, a church building, and a schoolhouse.
December Newsletter – Wounded Knee, Only Law West of the Pecos, Central City, Arizona 66, and more in this month’s newsletter.
Selma, Kansas – Extinct in Anderson County – (Legends of Kansas) The town initially had two names, with the Kansas, Nebraska, and Dakota Railroad naming their station Trilby and the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad named theirs Selma. Selma was surveyed and platted in the spring of 1887, and Selma became the permanent name for the town.
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