What's New at Legends of Kansas

Ellis County - Located in north central Kansas, Ellis County was created by a Kansas legislative act on February 26, 1867. Like much of western Kansas,  the area is a broad stretch of prairie with little natural timber growth. Across the northern portion of the county the Saline River flows, and the southern part of the county is watered by the Smoky Hill River and its tributaries, the largest of which is Big Creek.

Hays - Lawless in the Old Days - Hays, like Junction City and Great Bend, was never a major cattle market, but during the time it was the western terminus of the railroad, it had its days of notoriety.\

Fort Hays State University - Fort Hays State University (FHSU) is the  fourth largest of the six state universities located in Hays, Kansas. After Fort Hays closed in 1889, the Kansas legislature asked that the the Fort Hays reservation be donated to the state as a location for a branch of the state agricultural college.

Catharine, Kansas - Located nine miles northeast of Hays on the banks of Victoria Creek, the settlement was named in honor of the Great Empress of Russia, Catherine the Second. It was founded by German-Russians in April, 1876.

Great Bend, Kansas - Situated in central Kansas, Great Bend is the county seat of Barton County. The area had long been called home to the plains Indians before explorers began to come to the region, beginning with Francisco Vasquez de Coronado in 1541.

River Commerce in Kansas - When the first actual white settlers came to Kansas, there were no railroads west of the Mississippi River, and the various water courses were depended upon to furnish the means of transportation.

History Along the Arkansas River - In the past, numerous bands of Native Americans lived and traveled along the Arkansas River long before it was ever discovered by Europeans. Later, the Santa Fe Trail followed the Arkansas River through much of Kansas.

Kansas River - Explorations Beyond Missouri - Playing a prominent part in the exploration of the west, the river derives its name from the Kanza or Kaw tribe of Indians, which lived on its banks for hundreds of years.

Pawnee Rock - Santa Fe Trail Landmark - Pawnee Rock is a historic landmark on the Santa Fe Trail, as well as a small town that grew up around the rock in present-day Barton County, Kansas.

Doniphan's Expedition - The march of Alexander Doniphan and his troops during the Mexican War, from Fort Leavenworth to Mexico, a distance of nearly 3,600 miles,  is important in Kansas history, as at the time of the expedition, there was no road leading from Fort Leavenworth to the Santa Fe Trail.

Prohibition and Alcohol in Kansas - The temperance question was an engrossing topic in Kansas from its earliest territorial and statehood days.

Morris County - One of the oldest and most historic counties in the state, its history pre-dates Kansas becoming a territory with the site of Council Grove first mentioned by Santa Fe Trail travelers as far back as 1820.

Towns & Places of Morris County, Kansas - Includes information on several small towns including Burdick, Delavan, Dwight, Latimer, Skiddy, White City, and Wilsey. Also includes information on Extinct Towns of Morris County.

Douglas County Museums and Historic Sites - With the rich history of the county there are dozens of sites and museums worth a visit.

Lecompton - Capitol of Kansas Territory -Lecompton Kansas has one of the most fascinating histories of any town in the state.

The Underground Railroad - Prior to the Civil War , active undertakings to encourage and assist the escape of slaves from the Southern states were began, and a remarkable organization of helping hands was formed, taking the name of the " Underground Railroad," to hide and pass the freed slaves to the safe shelter of Canadian law.

The Issue of Slavery - At the heart of the conflict known as Bleeding Kansas, the young territory was embroiled in a series of violent events between Free-State advocates and pro-slavery proponents.

Missouri Compromise of 1820 - An agreement passed in 1820 between the pro-slavery and anti-slavery factions in the United States Congress, involving primarily the regulation of slavery in the western territories.

Abolitionists in Kansas - By the time Kansas was organized as a territory the abolitionists had become strong enough to attract attention from one end of the country to the other.

Border Troubles in Morris County - Like many other Kansas counties, Morris County had its share of issues during Kansas' fight to become a free state which continued on into the Civil War.

The Red Legs of Kansas - During the early part of the Civil War western Missouri was infested with bands of guerrillas, and to guard against incursions into Kansas, a company of border scouts was formed sometime in the year 1862.

Missouri Bushwhackers - Attacks Upon Kansas - Prior to and during the Civil War "bushwhacking" was a form of guerrilla warfare particularly prevalent along the Kansas-Missouri border. Though the term "bushwhacker" actually applied to both union and confederate forces, in Kansas, it was a much feared term applied to pro-slavery guerilla fighters.

Participation in the Civil War - In proportion to population, Kansas furnished more troops to the Union army during the great Civil War than any other loyal state. This is not surprising when the character of the men who made the state is considered.

Diamond Springs - Oasis on the Santa Fe Trail - This place was a favorite campsite on the Santa Fe Trail, then a stage station, and later a small settlement that is almost complete gone today.

Parkerville, Kansas is Quiet Today - Once rivaling Council Grove for the Morris County seat, Parkerville is a near ghost town today.

Dunlap, Kansas - A Freedman's Refuge - In the spring of 1878, Benjamin "Pap" Singleton, chose Dunlap as a place to relocate numerous freedmen known as " exodusters."

Santa Fe Trail Through Kansas - Beginning in Johnson County, Kansas, these pages provide a look at this historic trail all across the state, including the Mountain and Cimarron Branches in western Kansas, including historic locations and photographs.

Indian Battles, Skirmishes and Massacres - With the many trails crossing Kansas, interloping on Indian lands, there were numerous skirmishes in the Sunflower State including the Battle of Coon Creek, Battle of Punished Woman Fork, the Cheyenne Raid, Kidder Massacre, and more.

Pawnee, Kansas - First Territorial Capitol - Located in what is now known as Geary County, the old townsite of Pawnee was the first official capitol of the Kansas Territory in 1855.

Indian Missions in Kansas - Once there were numerous missions that included schools and churches for the Native Americans of Kansas. Today, there are three that have been preserved as Kansas State Historic Sites.

Ioway Indians - The Ioway were a semi-nomadic people who hunted but also practiced an agricultural lifestyle, and participated in the fur trade with French colonizers.

Sac and Fox Indians - From the earliest days of America, the Sac and Fox were nearly always mentioned together. Forced westward, many did and still do live in Kansas.

Legends of Kansas began in April, 2009 and will be a ongoing endeavor for months, probably years to come. At this point, everything is new! To begin with, we start with the following categories:  History, which is fairly extensive as many of these articles point readers to our parent site, Legends of America, which has been active for six years; People, which is fairly well developed but will continue to grow; Places, which includes Cowtowns, Forts, Frontier Trails, Ghost Towns, and more. Counties, Towns, and Legends will take significant time and research before they will be well-developed. This page will keep you apprised of additions as we go along. Welcome to Legends of Kansas!