Douglas County, Kansas Santa Fe Trail
The Santa Fe Trail, a vital artery of commerce and westward expansion in the 19th century, carved its path across the landscape of Kansas, leaving behind a legacy etched in the land and the stories of those who traversed it. In Douglas County, Kansas Santa Fe Trail, the echoes of wagon wheels and the whispers of history resonate through preserved landmarks and historical sites, offering a glimpse into a bygone era. This article delves into the significant locations within Douglas County that bear witness to the Santa Fe Trail’s indelible mark.
The trail’s entry point into Douglas County, Kansas Santa Fe Trail, lies near the southeastern corner, a few miles east of the former town of Black Jack. From there, it followed a northwesterly trajectory, passing through Palmyra and onward to Willow Springs. The route then veered southwest, skirting the now-vanished towns of Globe and Baden before crossing into Osage County, approximately three miles north of Douglas County’s southwest corner. This section of the trail holds a wealth of historical significance, connecting travelers and settlers to the wider American frontier.
Black Jack Highway Park, Baldwin City
Three miles east of Baldwin City, along U.S. 56, stands Black Jack Highway Park, a site commemorating a pivotal event often considered a prelude to the Civil War. The Battle of Black Jack, fought on June 2, 1856, saw the abolitionist John Brown leading his militia against pro-slavery forces amidst the turmoil of Bleeding Kansas. This clash, fueled by the contentious issue of slavery, underscored the deep divisions within the nation.
Within the park, an authentic log cabin houses a collection of antiques from the Santa Fe Trail era, providing a tangible connection to the past. A footbridge and trail extend south to the Ivan Boyd Prairie Preserve, where remarkably well-preserved trail ruts offer a dramatic visual representation of the countless journeys undertaken along this historic route. Nearby, Pearson Memorial Park, located on E. 2000 Road, is believed by some to be the actual location of the Battle of Black Jack, further enriching the historical tapestry of the area.
Palmyra Well, Baldwin City
The old community of Palmyra, established in the 1850s, thrived along the Santa Fe Trail. The Palmyra Well was a vital source of water for travelers, their livestock, and the residents of the community. It also served as a popular spot for wagon repairs and rest. Palmyra’s post office operated from 1857 to 1862, after which it was renamed Baldwin City. Although Palmyra coexisted with Baldwin for some time, it was eventually absorbed into the latter. Markers in the area commemorate Palmyra’s historical presence. The well is located in present-day Baldwin City, east of the high school. The Palmyra area continues to be well-utilized by the city as both the middle and high schools sit on land that was once Palmyra.
Santa Fe Trail Park, Baldwin City
Located half a mile northwest of Palmyra Well is the Santa Fe Trail Park, home to a large granite Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) marker. The diagonal county road adjacent to the park follows the precise route of the trail to the northwest. Donated to Baker University in 1907, the property has been placed on the National Registry of Historic Sites. Beyond the park, the trail passed through "The Narrows," a ridge separating Wakarusa Creek to the north and the Marais des Cygnes River to the south.
The Narrows, Douglas County
"The Narrows" was a critical passage for wagon trains traversing Douglas County, Kansas Santa Fe Trail. This ridge forced travelers to stay on the higher ground to avoid the challenging terrain and muddy draws that characterized the surrounding area. The Narrows stretched from west of present Black Jack Park, east of Baldwin City, to the site of Willow Springs, approximately nine miles to the northwest. The Douglas County, Kansas Santa Fe Trail section known as the Narrows was of particular strategic importance.
In May 1846, the U.S. Congress declared war against Mexico, and General Stephen W. Kearny’s Army of the West departed from Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, in June. Leading his army, he left Fort Leavenworth on June 30, blazing a new trail from the fort to the Santa Fe Trail and the infamous "Narrows." The initial days proved arduous as soldiers and wagons struggled through mud and steep bluffs, requiring soldiers to manually haul the wagons after unhitching the mules and oxen. After days of relentless effort, they successfully linked up with the Santa Fe Trail on July 4.
Blue Mound, Douglas County
About three miles southeast of Lawrence, Kansas, Blue Mound rises to 1,043 feet above sea level and served as a prominent landmark for travelers along the 1846 military road from Fort Leavenworth to the Santa Fe Trail. Situated south of the Kansas River, Blue Mound is the larger and more prominent of two hills, sometimes referred to as the Wakarusa Buttes. It is located in Wakarusa Township.
Hickory Point-Stony Point, Douglas County
Hickory Point, later known as Stony Point, was a small settlement located between Signal Hill to the east and almost Brooklyn to the west, stretching along the Narrows. Never large enough to have its own post office, the area played a significant role during the Bleeding Kansas era. A property dispute between Charles Dow, a free-state man, and Franklin Coleman, a pro-slavery man, resulted in the brutal slaying of Dow by Coleman. Dow’s body lay on the Santa Fe Trail until his friend Jacob Branson claimed it. This murder triggered a series of confrontations that led to the Sacking of Lawrence, the Wakarusa War, the Pottawatomie Massacre, and the Battle of Black Jack. To distance the town from the negative attention and avoid confusion with another town named Hickory Point in Jefferson County, the name was changed to Stony Point. The site is located at North 650 Road between East 1500 & 1550 Roads.
Brooklyn Town Site, Douglas County
Brooklyn was settled as early as 1855 and incorporated in 1858. In August 1863, William Quantrill’s men destroyed all but the saloon/general store as they retreated from burning down Lawrence. A DAR marker stands slightly north of where the main cluster of buildings once stood. The old townsite is located near North 550 & East 1400 Roads.
Willow Springs, Douglas County
The trail then took a northwesterly course to Willow Springs, a crucial watering spot on the prairie, before turning southwest towards Simmons Point. A post office was established here in 1855, initially named Davis, but changed to Willow Springs in 1861. The town also boasted a blacksmith shop, creamery, and a school. Today, Willow Springs is a small collection of houses, mostly farms, and the Willow Springs German Baptist Brethren Church. The old townsite was located near North 550 & East 1100 Roads. The Santa Fe Trail is slightly to the east of here.
Globe Community, Douglas County
Globe, originally established in 1857 as Marion, was located in the valley of Eight Mile Creek, about 12 miles west of Baldwin City. A post office was established in 1858, and a store was opened by David Hubbard. Two years later, Hubbard expanded his facilities, which became known as Hubbard’s Stage Stand, including the small store, the post office, and stagecoach service.
Hubbard operated the stand from 1861 through 1863, when his business suffered due to guerrilla warfare during the Civil War. Following the Diamond Spring Station raid in May 1863, Dick Yeager and his fellow brigands rode eastward on the Santa Fe Trail, stopping at Hubbard’s place, shooting the proprietor, stealing a horse, and continuing eastward. Although David Hubbard survived the shooting, he abandoned his business and accepted a position in the commissary department of the Thirteenth Corps, United States Army, in September 1863. The post office lasted until 1867, closing for two years before reopening in 1870. In August 1881, the town’s name changed to Globe. The post office shut down for the last time in 1900. Globe and Hubbard’s Stage Stand was located seven miles east of the Osage-Douglas County line along present-day Highway 56 at North 500 Road.
Simmons Point, Douglas County
The area’s main feature is the abandoned Simmons Point Stage Station, the ruins of which are part of a privately owned farmstead. Phillip and Elmira Dodder Simmons operated the station, but its actual dates of operation are unknown. At one time, the property offered a small hotel. The Simmons Point stage station is north of U.S. Highway 56 and 12 miles west of Baldwin City. This is private property, and trespassing is strictly forbidden. A small cemetery is just west of the stage station on the north side of U.S. 56. Additional ruts are visible in fields on both sides of U.S. Highway 56, about 1.5 miles west of the stage station.
Baden, Douglas County
Baden was a small town about one mile east of the Douglas-Osage County line. It was never more than a collection of houses with a post office from 1883 to 1886 and from 1888 until 1891. This site marks the last significant trail crossing point in Douglas County, Kansas Santa Fe Trail, and the location of the Baden Post Office.
The Santa Fe Trail’s passage through Douglas County, Kansas Santa Fe Trail, has left an enduring legacy, marked by preserved sites, historical markers, and the echoes of those who traveled this vital route. These locations offer a tangible connection to the past, providing insight into the lives and experiences of those who shaped the American West.