West Campus in Lawrence in Douglas County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Pioneer Cemetery
Established 1854
This cemetery, known originally as Oread, was opened in 1854 by the New Englanders who founded Lawrence. Following burials in 1882, Oread fell into disuse. In 1928, the City of Lawrence changed the name to Pioneer Cemetery.
The marble obelisk near the center of the grounds is a monument to T. W. Barber, an Ohio abolitionist shot by pro-slavery men during the Wakarusa War in December 1855. Barber was memorialized by John Greenleaf Whittier in his poem, "Burial of Barber." Eighteen military headstones in the northern section mark graves of members of the 13th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry who died of typhoid in 1862.
The largest number of early burials occurred following Quantrill's Massacre at Lawrence on August 21, 1863. Most of these were re-interred in Lawrence's Oak Hill Cemetery. Gravestones of four victims still remain.
In 1953, The Kansas University Endowment Association assumed ownership, and in 1968, the cemetery was reopened.
Today, Pioneer is the final resting place for early settlers, soldiers of the Civil War, and faculty, staff and friends of The University of Kansas.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Settlements & Settlers • War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is December 1855.
Location. 38° 57.189′ N, 95° 15.695′ W. Marker is in Lawrence, Kansas, in Douglas County. It is in West Campus. Marker can be reached from Irving Hill Road, 0.2 miles south of Ruppenthal Drive. Pioneer Cemetery is over the bridge from the dorms on Irving Hill Road and south of the parking lot for the Leid Center. Cross Irving Hill Road and walk towards the trees. This marker is is at the west entrance to the cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Lawrence KS 66045, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Unknown Dead (a few steps from this marker); Forrest "Phog" Clare Allen (approx. half a mile away); California and Oregon Trails Memorial (approx. 0.7 miles away); Korean War Memorial (approx. ¾ mile away); World War II Memorial Campanile (approx. 0.9 miles away); The Victory Eagle (approx. one mile away); The Castle Tea Room (approx. 1.4 miles away); South Park (approx. 1½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lawrence.
Also see . . .
1. Pioneer Cemetery: A 160-year-old Civil War cemetery on the University's campus. University Daily Kansan website entry (Submitted on February 27, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. Burial of Barber. Wikipedia link to the text of the poem "Burial of Barber" (Submitted on July 3, 2009, by Thomas Onions of Olathe, Kansas.)
3. Civil War Archive - Wisconsin. This link shows the duty stations of the 13th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. (Submitted on July 3, 2009, by Thomas Onions of Olathe, Kansas.)
Additional keywords. Bleeding Kansas Lawrence Massacre
Credits. This page was last revised on February 27, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 3, 2009, by Thomas Onions of Olathe, Kansas. This page has been viewed 2,297 times since then and 68 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on July 3, 2009, by Thomas Onions of Olathe, Kansas. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.