Kingman in Kingman County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Land of the Buffalo
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 25, 2012
1. Land of the Buffalo Marker
Before this became a great agricultural country its most important product was the buffalo. Millions of these animals grazed over the prairies, moving in great herds that stretched from horizon to horizon. They were life itself to the Plains Indians who ate their meat, dressed in their hides and used their bones and sinews for countless purposes. Indians killed only what they needed, but wasteful white hunters slaughtered indiscriminately, sometimes using only the tongues of the dead beasts. Between 1868 and 1881 it is estimated that carbon companies paid $2,500,000 in Kansas for buffalo bones alone, representing the skeletons of 31,000,000 animals.
The buffalo has been saved from extinction through private and public preserves. One herd is maintained in this state park. The Kansas legislature in 1955 recognized the historical importance of the buffalo by designating it the official state animal.
Erected by Kansas Historical Society and State Highway Commission.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Disasters • Environment • Indigenous Peoples and Communities. A significant historical year for this entry is 1868.
Location. 37° 38.727′ N,
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Central Kansas. It is also in the American Midwest, in the Corn Belt, on the prairies, and on the Southern Plains. 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. At least 7 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: City Building (here, next to this marker); United States Post Office (within shouting distance of this marker); Carnegie Library (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Replica of the Statue of Liberty (about 400 feet away); Kingman Veteran Memorial (about 400 feet away); Kingman County Courthouse (approx. 0.2 miles away); Kingman Memorial Armory (approx. 0.4 miles away).
More about this marker. Marker is on the north side of the City Building, next to the
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 25, 2012
2. Land of the Buffalo Marker
Regarding Land of the Buffalo. The marker was moved from an unknown Kansas State Park at an unknown time. It sits at the Kingman County Historical Museum.
Also see . . .
1. Buffalo in Kansas. Kansapedia website entry (Submitted on October 23, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. Bison Restoration. National Wildlife Restoration website entry (Submitted on October 23, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 25, 2012
3. Land of the Buffalo Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on October 23, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 17, 2013, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 775 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 17, 2013, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. 3. submitted on January 19, 2013, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
