Pawnee Rock Township in Barton County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

“One of the Grandest Sights Ever Beheld”

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., November 9, 2012

1. “One of the Grandest Sights Ever Beheld” Marker

Inscription.

Standing here 175 years ago Santa Fe Trail travelers looked out over a sea of grass. About three miles to the south a line of timber marked the Arkansas River which meandered across the prairie. A few plum thickets dotted the landscape, and an occasional thin line of trees traced the course of feeder streams. Otherwise, almost all that met the eye was grass and sky.

On July 8, 1846, Private Jacob S. Robinson described what he saw from the top of Pawnee Rock:
I witnessed one of the grandest sights ever beheld. Far over the plain to the west and north was one vast herd of buffaloes; some in column, marching in their trails, others carelessly grazing. Every acre was covered, until in the dim distance the prairie became one black mass…extending to the horizion.

[Image caption reads] “Herd of Bison” by J. M. Stanley

Erected by Kansas State Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Santa Fe Trail series list. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1821.

Location. 38° 16.333′ N,

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98° 58.926′ W. Marker is in Pawnee Rock, Kansas, in Barton County. It is in Pawnee Rock Township. It can be reached from North Centre Street. Marker is on top of the pavilion atop Pawnee Rock, at Pawnee Rock State Historical Site, off SW 112th Avenue/Center Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 631 N Centre St, 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: Marking the Rock (a few steps from this marker); Santa Fe Trail Monument (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named “One of the Grandest Sights Ever Beheld” (a few steps from this marker); "A Rallying Point for the Indians" (within shouting distance of

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., November 9, 2012

2. “One of the Grandest Sights Ever Beheld” Marker

Looking southwest

this marker); "A Point of Red Rocks" (within shouting distance of this marker); "Along Came the Line of Wagons" (within shouting distance of this marker); "A Remarkable Rocky Point" (within shouting distance of this marker); Nehemiah Carson (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pawnee Rock.

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.)

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on April 6, 2013, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 671 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 6, 2013, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.