Baldwin City in Douglas County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Baldwin
Photographed By Thomas Onions, June 14, 2009
1. Baldwin Marker
Here, and for the next 300 miles west, Highway 56 roughly follows the old Santa Fe Trail, and frequently crosses it. White settlement began in this area in 1854, the year Kansas became a territory, and in 1855 the town of Palmyra was founded. When Baker University was established on the outskirts in 1858 a new town sprang up. It was named for John Baldwin, an Ohio capitalist who in 1857 hauled a steam sawmill in over the trail. by 1863, Palmyra had merged with Baldwin.
Local Settlers were "Free-State" in the fight over slavery; several were captured in a Proslavery raid of 1859. Among Free-State leaders was Dr. Andrew T. Still, founder of Osteopathy, whose theory of healing was developed here.
Baker University, named for Methodist Bishop Osmon Baker, is the state's oldest four-year college. It houses the famous Bishop Quayle Bible Collection and its' first building. the "Old Castle" is now a museum.
Erected by Kansas Historical Society and State Highway Commission. (Marker Number 8.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Kansas Historical Society, and the Santa Fe Trail series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1854.
Location.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Baker University (approx. 1.2 miles away); Palmyra Well (approx. 1.2 miles away); Palmyra (approx. 1.3 miles away); Santa Fe Trail (approx. 1.3 miles away); Trail Park (approx. 1.7 miles away); The Battle of Black Jack (approx. 1.9 miles away); a different marker also named Battle of Black Jack (approx. 1.9 miles away); Ivan L. Boyd Memorial Prairie Preserve (approx. 1.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Baldwin City.
More about this marker. This Kansas State Marker is in a small pullout with no facilities on the north side of US-56 accessible from both sides of the two-lane highway.
Also see . . .
1. Baldwin City, Kansas. City website homepage (Submitted on June 19, 2009, by Thomas Onions of Olathe, Kansas.)
2. Baker University. University website homepage (Submitted on June 19, 2009, by Thomas Onions of Olathe, Kansas.)
3. Santa Fe Trail National Historic Trail. National Park Service website entry (Submitted on June 19, 2009, by Thomas Onions of Olathe, Kansas.)
Photographed By Thomas Onions, June 14, 2009
2. Baldwin Marker
Photo of the marker in the pullout.
Additional keywords. Santa Fe Trail
Photographed By Thomas Onions, June 14, 2009
3. Nearby Trail Ruts
Photographed By Thomas Onions, June 14, 2009
4. "Old Castle"
Photo of "Old Castle" on the Baker University Campus.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 2, 2022. It was originally submitted on June 19, 2009, by Thomas Onions of Olathe, Kansas. This page has been viewed 1,449 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 19, 2009, by Thomas Onions of Olathe, Kansas. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
