Near Highland in Doniphan County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
The Wolf River Crossing
Before reaching the Iowa, Sac and Fox Mission wagon trains crossed the Wolf River. Travelers often encountered members of local Indian nations. Native Americans thought that some payment should be made to them for the use of their land. Travelers used wood and let their animals graze on native grass.
Crossing rivers and streams was hazardous. In some places Native Americans operated ferries or built bridges. A toll bridge was operated by Iowas on the Wolf River. Being asked to pay a toll made some travelers angry.
Our progress was stopped today by a small stream spanned by a small bridge...a large Indian sat at the receipt of customs demanding $1 per wagon for the privilege of crossing over....The Indian was making a 'good' thing not less than 1,500 wagons passing over today.
John Hawkins Clark
1852
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Native Americans • Roads & Vehicles • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1852.
Location. 39° 51.829′ N, 95° 13.761′ W. Marker is near Highland, Kansas, in Doniphan County. Marker is at the Iowa and Sac & Fox Mission State Historic Site. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1737 Elgin Road, Highland KS 66035, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Oregon-California Trail (here, next to this marker); A Manual Training School (a few steps from this marker); An Agricultural Mission (a few steps from this marker); Cooperation and Conflict on the Trail (a few steps from this marker); The Iowa, Sac and Fox Mission (a few steps from this marker); The Highland Presbyterian Mission (a few steps from this marker); The Missionary Movement (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); A Dangerous Coexistence (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Highland.
Also see . . .
1. Ioway Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska. Ioway Cultural Institute website entry (Submitted on October 7, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. Sac & Fox Nation of Missouri in Kansas and Nebraska. Website homepage (Submitted on October 7, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
3. Oregon National Historic Trail. National Park Service website entry (Submitted on October 7, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
4. California National Historic Trail. National Park Service website entry (Submitted on October 7, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on December 11, 2021. It was originally submitted on October 7, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 660 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 7, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.