South Kansas City in Jackson County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Russell's Ford

Photographed by Thomas Onions, January 18, 2009

1. Russell's Ford Marker

Inscription.
In 1864 the ford across the Blue River was near where the bridge to the north now stands. Blue River road did not exist the. On October 22, 1864. Kansas Militia, defending this ford to prevent crossing by Confederate General Price, withdrew to the north and west when Price crossed downstream. On the 23rd Price's wagon train and most of his army crossed here retreating south on what was then called the Harrisonville Road. Late that morning a unit of McNeil's Union Brigade was on the bluff to the southeast but did not fire on the enemy.

Erected 1964 by Howard N. Monnett Memorial Civil War Round Table K.C. (Marker Number 20.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Missouri – Battle of Westport series list. A significant historical month for this entry is October 1926.

Location. 38° 57.782′ N, 94° 33.35′ W. Marker is in Kansas City, Missouri, in Jackson County. It is in South Kansas City. It is on Blue River Road just north of Grandview Road, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Kansas City MO 64132, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

in the Corn Belt,

and on the Santa Fe Trail Corridor.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

the Louisiana Purchase,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Where People Once Lived (approx. 1.4 miles away); School Days (approx.

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1.4 miles away); A Resting Place (approx. 1.4 miles away); Frank S. Land Memorial (approx. 1½ miles away); Remembrance of Trails Past (approx. 1.7 miles away); Mockbee Farm (approx. 2.1 miles away); "The Boy Scout" (approx. 2.1 miles away); Thomas Farmhouse (approx. 2.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kansas City.

Another marker is no longer nearby. New Santa Fe Road (was approx. 1.2 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Also see . . . Civil War on the Western Border: Battle of Westport. Kansas City Public Library website entry (Submitted on April 17, 2026, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Photographed by Michael E Sanchez, Jr., October 5, 2019

2. Russell's Ford Marker

The area around the marker is overgrown. Blue River Road is closed from Prospect Avenue/Grandview Road to the north. The marker is about 250 feet north of the barrier at the intersection.

This is a photo of the area of Russell's Ford. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Thomas Onions, January 18, 2009

3. This is a photo of the area of Russell's Ford.

Headstone of Major General George Dietzler image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Thomas Onions, August 10, 2008

4. Headstone of Major General George Dietzler

He was the commander of the Kansas Militia during the Battle of Westport and is buried in Oak Hill Cemetery in Lawrence, Ks.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 17, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 7, 2009, by Thomas Onions of Olathe, Kansas. This page has been viewed 2,676 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on June 7, 2009, by Thomas Onions of Olathe, Kansas. 2. submitted on October 5, 2019, by Michael E Sanchez, Jr. of Kansas City, Missouri. 3. submitted on June 7, 2009, by Thomas Onions of Olathe, Kansas. 4. submitted on June 10, 2009, by Thomas Onions of Olathe, Kansas. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.