Near Valley Falls in Jefferson County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Battle of Hickory Point
Photographed By Bill Kirchner, April 18, 2012
1. Battle of Hickory Point Marker
Inscription.
Battle of Hickory Point. . In September, 1856, a band of Proslavery men sacked Grasshopper Falls (Valley Falls) and terrorized the vicinity. On the 13th, the Free-State leader James H. Lane with a small company besieged a party of raiders in log buildings at Hickory Point, about one-half mile west of this marker. Unable to dislodge them, Lane sent to Lawrence for artillery and reinforcements. Col. James A. Harvey responded next day only to find that Lane had raised the siege and departed. "Sacramento," historic Mexican War cannon, was fired into the buildings with little effect, and men pushing up a burning hayrack were shot in the legs. The skirmish ended in an armistice, celebrated, it is said, over a considerable quantity of whisky. Casualties were one Proslavery man killed and four wounded, and five Free-State men injured. , At his family's farm home one-fourth mile west of this marker artist John Steuart Curry (1897-1946) was born and spent his boyhood years. In 1940 he painted his famed murals in the Kansas statehouse at Topeka. ,
In September, 1856, a band of Proslavery men sacked Grasshopper Falls (Valley Falls) and terrorized the vicinity. On the 13th, the Free-State leader James H. Lane with a small company besieged a party of raiders in log buildings at Hickory Point, about one-half mile west of this marker. Unable to dislodge them, Lane sent to Lawrence for artillery and reinforcements. Col. James A. Harvey responded next day only to find that Lane had raised the siege and departed. "Sacramento," historic Mexican War cannon, was fired into the buildings with little effect, and men pushing up a burning hayrack were shot in the legs. The skirmish ended in an armistice, celebrated, it is said, over a considerable quantity of whisky. Casualties were one Proslavery man killed and four wounded, and five Free-State men injured.
At his family's farm home one-fourth mile west of this marker artist John Steuart Curry (1897-1946) was born and spent his boyhood years. In 1940 he painted his famed murals in the Kansas statehouse at Topeka.
Erected by State Historical Society and State Highway Commission. (Marker Number 13.)
• Notable Events. In addition, it is included in the Kansas Historical Society series list. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1856.
Location. 39° 18.203′ N, 95° 18.652′ W. Marker is near Valley Falls, Kansas, in Jefferson County. Marker is at the intersection of U.S. 59 and 142nd Street, on the left when traveling north on U.S. 59. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Valley Falls KS 66088, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on May 14, 2012, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 933 times since then and 52 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on May 14, 2012, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
