Near Cawker City in Mitchell County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Waconda (Great Spirit Spring)
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., August 27, 2011
1. Waconda (Great Spirit Spring) Marker
Many moons ago, so runs an Indian legend, Waconda, a beautiful Princess, fell in love with a brave of another tribe. Prevented from marriage by a blood feud, this warrior embroiled the tribes in battle. During the fight an arrow struck him as he stood on the brink of a spring and he fell mortally wounded into the waters. Waconda, grief-stricken, plunged after him. Believing her soul still lived in the depths, the tribes for countless ages carried their sick to drink the healing waters. Here they celebrated their victories and mourned their losses, never neglecting to throw into the spring some token from the Great Spirit.
Waconda Spring, 3/4 mile south of this marker, is a mineral pool about fifty feet in diameter, set in a curious limestone basin.
Erected by Kansas Historical Society and State Highway Commission. (Marker Number 36.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Native Americans. In addition, it is included in the Kansas Historical Society series list.
Location. Marker has been reported missing. It was located near 39° 31.27′ N, 98° 23.074′ W. Marker was near Cawker
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 9 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies. Waconda Springs (here, next to this marker); Waconda Springs / Glen Elder State Park (approx. 2.4 miles away); Cawker City (approx. 2.7 miles away); Homestead of J. Gledhill (approx. 2.7 miles away); World's Largest Ball of Sisal Twine (approx. 2.7 miles away); Sod and Stubble (approx. 8.4 miles away); Missouri Pacific Railroad Depot (approx. 8.6 miles away); The Founding of Downs, Kansas (approx. 8.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cawker City.
More about this marker. The marker has been replaced by the State of Kansas with a marker in the blue and white paint scheme as part of its marker improvement program.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Waconda Springs - replacement marker (09/05/2018)
Also see . . .
1. Waconda Springs. Kansas Historical Society website entry (Submitted on March 11, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. Waconda Springs Fact & Legend. Glen Elder website entry (Submitted on March 11, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., August 27, 2011
2. Waconda (Great Spirit Spring) Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on January 20, 2022. It was originally submitted on March 11, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,007 times since then and 63 times this year. Last updated on September 6, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 11, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
