Near Baldwin City in Douglas County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Battle of Black Jack

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., March 9, 2013

1. Battle of Black Jack Marker

Inscription. This "battle" was part of the struggle to make Kansas a free state. In May, 1856, Proslavery men destroyed buildings and newspaper presses in Lawrence, Free-State headquarters. John Brown's company then killed five Proslavery men on Pottawatomie Creek not far from this spot. In retaliation Henry C. Pate raided near-by Palmyra and took three prisoners. Early on the morning of June 2, Brown attacked Pate's camp in a grove of black jack oaks about ¼ mile south of this sign. Both sides had several wounded and numerous desertions before Pate and 28 men surrendered, Brown claiming he had only 15 men left. As evidence of civil war, this fight received much publicity and excited both the North and the South.

Erected by Kansas Historical Society and State Highway Commission. (Marker Number 7.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Kansas Historical Society series list. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1856.

Location. 38° 46.042′ N, 95° 7.726′ W. Marker is near Baldwin City, Kansas, in Douglas County. It is on U.S. 56 0.1 miles east of East 2000 Road. This marker is in Black Jack Park. The site is well-marked by signs along the highway. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Baldwin City KS 66006, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Eastern Kansas and specifically in Bleeding Kansas Border War Country.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Corn Belt,

on the prairies,

on the Southern Plains,

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 Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers.

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At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Black Jack Park (here, next to this marker); Santa Fe Trail (here, next to this marker); Black Jack Cabin (a few steps from this marker); Ivan L. Boyd Memorial Prairie Preserve (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named The Battle of Black Jack (approx. ¼ mile away); a different marker also named Battle of Black Jack (approx. ¼ mile away); Baldwin (approx. 2 miles away); Palmyra Well (approx. 3.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Baldwin City.

Also see . . . Battle of Black Jack. Wikipedia entry. (Submitted on June 18, 2009, by Thomas Onions of Olathe, Kansas.)

Photographed by Thomas Onions, June 14, 2009

2. Log Cabin

A reconstructed log cabin in Black Jack Park. This Cabin is used for meetings and special events.

Black Jack Park and Markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Thomas Onions, June 14, 2009

3. Black Jack Park and Markers

Battle of Black Jack Area image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Thomas Onions, June 14, 2009

4. Battle of Black Jack Area

This is a picture of the Black Jack Battlefield approximately ¼ mile south of the marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 4, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 18, 2009, by Thomas Onions of Olathe, Kansas. This page has been viewed 2,362 times since then and 66 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on March 10, 2013, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 18, 2009, by Thomas Onions of Olathe, Kansas. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.