Tallgrass Prairie
Native Wild Flowers • Western Wheatgrass • Sideoats G[r]ama • Little Bluestem • Switchgrass • Big Bluestem • Indian Grass
These seven small plats represent the majority of the grass and forb species that dominated the 52 million acres of tall grass prairies in Kansas prior to 1840. Of these 52 million acres, only about 4.5 million acres remain today.
The rest of the 52 million acres is now used for crop production, introduced cool season grasses, homes and transportation routes.
The settlers and Oregon Trail users would have been overwhelmed by these grasses that could have stood as much as ten feet tall by October if left ungrazed.
With these abundant grasses, no wonder many travelers wandered off course in search of livestock feed and wild game for human consumption but were forced back to locations such as this one to cross creeks and rivers, as the main Oregon Trail would have been overgrazed and overhunted in the late 1840's and early 1850's, thus the reason for ruts miles away from the main trails.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Roads & Vehicles • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1840.
Location. 39° 22.979′ N, 96° 24.323′ W. Marker is near Westmoreland, Kansas, in Pottawatomie
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Long Journey (within shouting distance of this marker); One Step at a Time (within shouting distance of this marker); The Wagon & Team • Supplies Needed (within shouting distance of this marker); Route of the Oregon Trail (within shouting distance of this marker); Scott Spring (within shouting distance of this marker); Archeological Site 14-PO1311 (within shouting distance of this marker); Wagons Fording Rock Creek (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Burial Site of Oregon Trail Traveler (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Westmoreland.
Also see . . .
1. Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve. (Submitted on February 19, 2015, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. Konza Prairie. (Submitted on February 19, 2015, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
3. Flint Hills Discovery Center. (Submitted on February 19, 2015, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
4. Oregon Trail Park, Westmoreland KS. (Submitted on February 19, 2015, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on February 19, 2015, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 400 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 19, 2015, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
