Pawnee Rock in Barton County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Pawnee Rock
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., November 9, 2012
1. Pawnee Rock Marker
"We first rode nearly north about a mile to a remarkable Rocky Point . . .We rode upon the top which is probably 50 feet above the plain below, and from whence there is a charming view of the country in every direction."
—George Sibley, 1825
Pawnee Rock made an impact on Santa Fe Trail travelers, who referenced the Dakota Sandstone outcropping in their journals.
"Pawnee Rock was covered with names carved by the men who had passed it. It was so full that I could find no place for mine."
— John Birch, 1848
Located at the halfway point on the Santa Fe Trail, many stories have been told to explain how this “prairie citadel” earned its name. Once reaching a height of perhaps 100 feet or more, a large portion of the rock was stripped away for railroad bed material.
The Woman's Kansas Day Club led a campaign to save what remained of the rock. It is now preserved as a State Historic Site.
Erected 2012 by the State of Kansas. (Marker Number 71.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included
this page online
Location. 38° 15.682′ N, 98° 59.22′ W. Marker is in Pawnee Rock, Kansas, in Barton County. It is at the intersection of U.S. 56 and SW 70th Road / County Line Road, on the left when traveling west on U.S. 56. Marker is at a roadside pullout. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Pawnee Rock KS 67567, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Central Kansas. 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. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named Pawnee Rock (here, next to this marker); William Becknell (approx. 0.8 miles away); Santa Fe Trail (approx. 0.8 miles away); a different marker also named Santa Fe Trail (approx. 0.8 miles away);
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., November 9, 2012
2. Pawnee Rock Marker
More about this marker. This marker replaces an earlier state historical marker on the same subject.
Also see . . .
1. Santa Fe National Historic Trail. (Submitted on April 6, 2013, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
2. Santa Fe Trail Association. (Submitted on April 6, 2013, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
Photographed by Richard Hawkins, August 14, 2025
3. Pawnee Rock Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on August 20, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 6, 2013, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,701 times since then and 126 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 6, 2013, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. 3. submitted on August 14, 2025, by Richard Hawkins of Phelan, California.
