Scandia in Republic County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Country of the Pawnee
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., August 27, 2011
1. Country of the Pawnee Marker
Long before white men settled Kansas this region was the home of Pawnee Indians. French traders in the late 1700's named those along this river the Republican Pawnee in the mistaken belief that their form of government was a republic. From them the Republican river and in turn Republic county and city took their names.
Here, along the east side of the river, passed the military road opened in 1857 to connect Fort Riley and Fort Kearny, Neb. White settlement began in this area in the early 1860's, and at this place in 1868 the Scandinavian Agricultural Society of Chicago started a colony, which became Scandia. Fearful of Indian attacks, for several occurred nearby, the settlers constructed a stronghold near the river called Colony House.
Jedediah Smith, famed mountain man, explorer and mapper of the American West, led 60 men up the Republican valley in January, 1826. He stayed several weeks at a Republican Pawnee vilage, probably the one four miles west and eight north of this marker. The site of this village has been preserved by the state, and a modern archeological museum was opened there in 1967.
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Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Native Americans • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Kansas Historical Society series list. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1826.
Location. 39° 47.899′ N, 97° 47.186′ W. Marker is in Scandia, Kansas, in Republic County. Marker is on U.S. 36 near Cloud Street, on the left when traveling west. Marker is at a roadside rest area. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Scandia KS 66966, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 16 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. New Scandinavia (a few steps from this marker); American Legion Post No. 193 Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Belleville Beginnings (approx. 8.4 miles away); The Great Depression & The WPA (approx. 8½ miles away); Belleville Agriculture (approx. 8½ miles away); US Flag Raised over Pawnee Republic (approx. 8.6 miles away); Louis Meyer (approx. 14.3 miles away); Charles Ferdon Ferdon Charles Ekstrom (approx. 15.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Scandia.
Also see . . .
1. Republican River. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on January 30, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. Pawnee Indian Museum
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., August 27, 2011
2. Country of the Pawnee Marker
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., August 27, 2011
3. Country of the Pawnee Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2022. It was originally submitted on March 11, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 459 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 11, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
