Pawnee Rock in Barton County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
“One of the Grandest Sights Ever Beheld”
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., November 9, 2012
1. “One of the Grandest Sights Ever Beheld” Marker
Standing here 175 years ago Santa Fe Trail travelers looked out over a sea of grass. About three miles to the south a line of timber marked the Arkansas River which meandered across the prairie. A few plum thickets dotted the landscape, and an occasional thin line of trees traced the course of feeder streams. Otherwise, almost all that met the eye was grass and sky.
On July 8, 1846, Private Jacob S. Robinson described what he saw from the top of Pawnee Rock:
I witnessed one of the grandest sights ever beheld. [All ?] over the plain to the west and north was one vast herd of buffaloes; some in column, marching in their trails, others carelessly grazing. Every acre was covered, until in the dim distance the prairie became one black mass…extending to the horizion.
[Image caption reads] “Herd of Bison” by J. M. Stanley
Erected by Kansas State Historical Society.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Santa Fe Trail series list. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1896.
Location. 38° 16.32′ N, 98° 58.927′ W. Marker is in Pawnee Rock, Kansas, in Barton County. Marker is along
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Marking the Rock (a few steps from this marker); "A Rallying Point for the Indians" (a few steps from this marker); Santa Fe Trail Monument (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named “One of the Grandest Sights Ever Beheld” (a few steps from this marker); William Becknell (within shouting distance of this marker); Santa Fe Trail (within shouting distance of this marker); "Along Came the Line of Wagons" (within shouting distance of this marker); "A Point of Red Rocks" (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pawnee Rock.
Also see . . .
1. Santa Fe National Historic Trail. National Park Service website entry (Submitted on April 6, 2013, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. Santa Fe Trail Association. Association website homepage (Submitted on April 6, 2013, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., November 9, 2012
2. “One of the Grandest Sights Ever Beheld” Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on January 15, 2022. It was originally submitted on April 6, 2013, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 531 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 6, 2013, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
