Belvoir - One of the old settlements of Kansas, Belvoir was located on the old Santa Fe Trail about 13 miles southwest of Lawrence , in the valley of the Wakarusa River. Among the first permanent settlers in its vicinity, who arrived in 1855-56, were H. Heine, James M. Dun, M. Clayton, R. A. Dean, H. McKenzie, A. S. Baldwin, A. E. Northrop, J. Hulze, D. Dack and Mr. Smith, who died in 1856, which was probably the first death in the area. In what was known as the McKenzie neighborhood, the St. John's Church Catholic church was established in 1856. Several houses were also built and a tavern that  accommodated the travelers going west.  In the summer of 1865, a stone schoolhouse, measuring 24'x40' was built at a cost of $1,500. Dr. George Hubbard and W. Markle were  among the first teachers. On account of the proximity of Belvoir to Twin Mound, a  post office was not established until April 26, 1869, with L. D. Bailey appointed as the first postmaster. In 1873, the Carbondale branch of the Union Pacific Railroad was completed 2 ½  miles from Belvoir and the post office was moved. Soon, a new schoolhouse was built and other businesses followed. However, by 1903, the population had fallen to such a degree that the post office was closed on January 31st. In 1910, the community had a population of 30.

Black Jack - Established in 1855 as a supply point for traders and pioneers along the Santa Fe Trail, some of its first settlers were William Riley, David Fearer, E. D. Pettengill, S.A. Stonebraker, and H. N. Brockway. The creek near which the village stood was named Black Jack by Mexicans traveling along the Santa Fe Trail, and the village was named after the creek. The town had barely been settled before it found itself in the midst of the Kansas-Missouri Border War. After John Brown's two sons were captured and held prisoner by Henry Pate, Brown, along with 29 men fought the Battle of Black Jack on June 2, 1856 against Pate and his men. John Brown and his men won the battle, capturing 22 men, which Brown agreed to release when Brown's sons were released. Some historians consider the Battle of Black Jack to be the first true battle of the Civil War. Also killed in June of that year, was one of the first setters -- David Fearer, who was a Corporal in Company D of the 2nd Missouri Militia. He was was shot down in an ambush by William Quantrill's guerillas between Independence and Pleasant Hill, Missouri while on a patrol guarding a mail coach.

The town was incorporated in 1857 and the first school was in a log house, taught by Mrs. Elizabeth Craig, in 1858. The first sermon was also preached the same year, in a cabin by Reverend  Samuel Kretsinger. The post office was established on March 15, 1858 with S.A. Stonebraker being appointed the first Postmaster who had started the first store in January. A school house and the Presbyterian Church were both built in 1859. At its peak, it boasted a tavern, post office, blacksmiths, a hotel, general store, doctor's office, schools and two churches.