Historical Markers and War Memorials in Cherokee County, Kansas
Columbus is the county seat for Cherokee County
Adjacent to Cherokee County, Kansas
Crawford County(66) ► Labette County(18) ► Jasper County, Missouri(62) ► Newton County, Missouri(40) ► Craig County, Oklahoma(6) ► Ottawa County, Oklahoma(33) ►
Touch name on this list to highlight map location. Touch blue arrow, or on map, to go there.
The brush arbor was located in this general area and was used for a dining area for the troops at Ft. Blair. The colored troops were having lunch here when Quantrill's attackers approached from both the east and the south. The troops made their way . . . — — Map (db m174260) HM
On 6th Street near Military Avenue (U.S. 69), on the right when traveling east.
Major General J.G. Blunt left Ft. Scott on October 4, 1863 en route to Ft. Smith. With him was his military escort consisting of about 125 men from Company I, Third Wisconsin Cavalry, and Company A, Fourteenth Kansas Cavalry. They proceeded by way . . . — — Map (db m37627) HM
Erected by the United States to the Memory of the Officers and Soldiers Killed in the Battle of Baxter Springs October 8, 1863, and Other Engagements in this Vicinity who are Buried near this Monument, and . . . — — Map (db m21140) WM
On Park Avenue at 10th Street, on the left when traveling north on Park Avenue.
Dedicated in memory of General James G. Blunt and his escort who defenseless, fell victims to the inhuman ferocity of guerrillas, led by the infamous Quantrell in his raid upon Baxter Springs October 6th 1863, in which 135 Union soldiers were slain . . . — — Map (db m80348) HM
On U.S. 69/400, 0.2 miles south of SE Varck Road, on the right when traveling south.
On October 6, 1863, Gen. James Blunt and about 100 men were met near Baxter’s springs by William Quantrill and several hundred Confederates masquerading as Union troops. As Blunt’s band was preparing a musical salute the enemy fired. This surprise . . . — — Map (db m37840) HM
On Military Avenue (U.S. 69), on the right when traveling south.
On Oct. 6, 1863, Gen. James Blunt and about 125 men from the 3rd Wisc. Cav. and the 14th Kans. Cav. stopped at the creek before coming into Ft. Blair. They were caught in a surprise attack from the rebel forces of William Quantrill. Nearly 100 of . . . — — Map (db m80214) HM
On 6th Street near Military Avenue (U.S. 69), on the left when traveling east.
First burial site for victims of the Baxter Springs Massacre and the attack on Ft. Blair. In 1869, the bodies were moved to the National Cemetary plot west of town. — — Map (db m37836) HM
Near West Avenue (U.S. 166) west of West 5th Street.
Civil War Dead
An estimated 700,000 Union and Confederate soldiers died in the Civil War (1861-1865). As the death toll rose, the U.S. government struggled with the urgent but unplanned need to bury fallen Union troops. This propelled the . . . — — Map (db m171034) HM
On West 2nd Street at Willow Avenue (Old U.S. 66), on the right when traveling east on West 2nd Street.
Baxter Springs was named for John Baxter, the area's first European settler in 1849, and the springs on his homestead. A military surveying party who camped in the area in 1857 recounted springs rich in iron salts as rising in a "cone of red mud," . . . — — Map (db m174251) HM
On Military Avenue (U.S. 69) at 10th Street, on the left when traveling south on Military Avenue.
Julius Bischosberger, a native of Prussia, came to Baxter Springs in 1868 and constructed a frame building for the Bischosberger Hotel and Restaurant on this site. Directly across the street to the north was the Bischosberger Livery and Feed . . . — — Map (db m37434) HM
On East Avenue at 7th Street, on the left when traveling south on East Avenue.
Opened in 1803 by Chief Black Dog (Manka-Chonka) and his band of Osage Indians who had a village nearby where springs once flowed freely. — — Map (db m37839) HM
On Military Avenue (U.S. 69) at 11th Street, on the right when traveling south on Military Avenue.
Built circa 1870, the café was formerly the Crowell Bank, which Jesse James robbed in 1876. It is currently a restaurant and bed and breakfast. — — Map (db m37551) HM
On Oak Crest at Fairview Avenue, on the right when traveling east on Oak Crest.
Camp Logan was a 100 acre site of annual G.A.R. reunions attended by veterans of the Civil War between 1883-1914. An amphitheater holding 2000 people was located directly ahead. The surrounding hills were campsites for thousands of veterans and . . . — — Map (db m80220) HM
On Military Avenue (U.S. 69) near 11th Avenue, on the right when traveling south.
On this site, G. G. Gregg established the Chicago Drug Store in 1868, just as the town became a center for the cattle trade. The block of businesses was known as Keenan's Old Stand at that time. The Drug Store carried prescriptive and . . . — — Map (db m37501) HM
In 1870-71, the victims of the attack on Fort Blair and the Battle of Baxter Springs were disinterred from a site near the fort and reinterred in this newly designated national cemetery plot, officially National Cemetery #2. — — Map (db m171037) HM
On North Willow Avenue north of West A Street, on the right when traveling north.
In a field to the east, Blunt's military band wagon overturned while trying to escape the guerillas. The bandsmen were shot and their bodies were burned in the wagon. — — Map (db m170671) HM
On Military Avenue (U.S. 69) at 11th Street, on the right when traveling south on Military Avenue.
The first bank in Baxter Springs was the Bank of Baxter also called the Crowell Bank. It was established in 1870 and did business in this building. H. R. Crowell, the founder, was the second mayor of Baxter Springs. In May of 1876, Jesse James and . . . — — Map (db m37531) HM
On Military Avenue (U.S. 69), on the right when traveling south.
In the late 1880s, this building was constructed by W. H. Horner, and in it he established the Drovers' and Farmers' Bank. The Bank was purchased by John M. Cooper and J. N. McDonald, who changed the name to the Traders' Bank. They were later . . . — — Map (db m37502) HM
On Military Avenue (U.S. 69) at 7th Street, on the right when traveling north on Military Avenue.
In 1866, a small log school building was built on this site, with benches and desks hewn from logs. The first teacher was Miss Lillie Van Epps. It was a subscription school, which was maintained, and the teacher paid with tuition from the students. . . . — — Map (db m80341) HM
On East Avenue near 6th Street, on the right when traveling south.
Fort Blair, constructed as a garrison for soldiers guarding the Military Road, was attacked by rebel forces of William Quantrill on Oct. 6, 1863.
Although greatly outnumbered, Lt. James Pond and men from the 3rd Wisc. Cav. and Kans. 2nd Colored . . . — — Map (db m37838) HM
On 6th Street near Military Avenue (U.S. 69), on the right when traveling east.
This is a replication of the blockhouse which records tell us was in the center of the encampment. The original blockhouse measured 16 feet square and was constructed of logs. It was built to store equipment and supplies. Reports indicate that it . . . — — Map (db m37621) HM
On 6th Street near Military Avenue (U.S. 69), on the right when traveling east.
The breastworks that enclosed Ft. Blair measured 80 feet by 100 feet. A trench, called a rifle pit, encircled the breastworks on the inside. The dirt that was extracted to create the rifle pits was then piled outside the walls to provide a . . . — — Map (db m37599) HM
The west wall of the breastworks had been removed the day before the attack in order to enlarge the encampment to make room for more than 100 additional cavalry troops which had arrived under the command of Lt. Pond. — — Map (db m37623) HM
On Military Avenue at 11th Street on Military Avenue.
The Illinois Cash Store, a grocery and dry goods store, was constructed on this site in 1868 by John M. Cooper who came to Baxter Springs from Illinois. In 1886, he constructed a new brick building one block south and moved the business. in 1900, . . . — — Map (db m52061) HM
On Military Avenue (U.S. 69) at 11th Street, on the left when traveling south on Military Avenue.
The Indiana Hotel, later renamed the Indiana House, was constructed on this site around 1870.
Christian Null acquired the Indiana House in 1881 and operated the business until its closing in the late 1890s. In 1900, the present building was . . . — — Map (db m37533) HM
On 6th Street near Military Avenue (U.S. 69), on the right when traveling east.
In the spring of 1849, John Baxter, his wife and 8 children moved to this site and built an inn and general store and offered food and lodging to travelers who passed along the Military Road. Baxter was a colorful character -- a speculator, . . . — — Map (db m37598) HM
On 10th Street west of Park Avenue, on the right when traveling west.
This grand building was entered on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. Built in 1872, it was intended to be the county courthouse, but was never used for that purpose. Through the years, the building has served as a city hall and a . . . — — Map (db m80350) HM
On 7th Street at East Avenue, on the right when traveling east on 7th Street.
This small bridge is the last of its kind in Cherokee County. Given to the historical society by the county commissioners, it was moved to this site in 1994 from the northwest corner of the county. — — Map (db m80332) HM
This log cabin was built east of the Lowell Cemetery in the late 1870's. R.A. Hibbard built it as a home for his brother-in-law's family. Kent Lynch purchased the property and donated the cabin to the historical society in memory of Marsha Moncrief . . . — — Map (db m80219) HM
On Military Avenue (U.S. 69), on the right when traveling north.
In 1872, the Mayor of Baxter Springs, J. R. Boyd, shot and killed C. M. Taylor, marshal, near this spot. Bad blood had existed between the two for some time.
The marshal approached Boyd to serve him a warrant for arrest on an assault charge. . . . — — Map (db m37437) HM
On Military Avenue (U.S. 69) near 10th Street, on the right when traveling south.
Henry and Louisa Ohlen purchased this property in February 1878 and opened Ohlen's Restaurant and Bakery. Among their offerings were ice cream and oysters which were advertised "in their proper seasons." The Ohlen's [sic] also offered a day . . . — — Map (db m37505) HM
On Military Avenue (U.S. 69) near 11th Street, on the left when traveling south.
J. P. Opperman, a native of France, came to Baxter Springs in 1871 and established the Opperman Harness and Saddle Shop located on this site. The building is still here, but lies beneath the present facade. Opperman's was one of the most successful . . . — — Map (db m37471) HM
On Military Avenue at 10th Street, on the right when traveling north on Military Avenue.
Built in 1930 by the Independent Oil
and Gas Company, this Tudor
Revival style gas station was
purchased by Phillips 66 Petroleum
Company the same year. The
original "house" style brick building
was modified in the 1940s to the . . . — — Map (db m37388) HM
On Military Avenue (U.S. 69) near 10th Street, on the right when traveling south.
In May of 1893, the Polster Brothers, Charles, John and Ed, and their mother, Elizabeth Polster, had a grand opening for their new dry goods store. The public was entertained with music by an Italian harpist, and the building was lavishly decorated . . . — — Map (db m37503) HM
On Washington Avenue at 10th Street, on the left when traveling north on Washington Avenue.
Near this site, Quantrill's men attacked and killed several men from the fort engaged in target practice. Among them were Johnny Fry, an Army scout who had earlier won fame as the first Pony Express rider, and Lt. Ralph Cook, officer in charge of . . . — — Map (db m80331) HM
On West 2nd Street at Willow Avenue (Old U.S. 66), on the right when traveling east on West 2nd Street.
Baxter Springs' economy was driven through two major periods of economic growth. First, as a cow town, thanks to its proximity to Texas and easy access to eastern markets. The second, as part of the lead and zinc mining region, which flourished in . . . — — Map (db m174250) HM
On 6th Street near Military Avenue (U.S. 69), on the right when traveling east.
William C. Quantrill, a former Kansas school teacher, headed a guerilla army which had committed many outrages around Lawrence and Kansas City, one being the Lawrence Massacre. Quantrill received a commission of Colonel, supposedly either from . . . — — Map (db m80834) HM
On 7th Street east of Military Avenue (U.S. 69), on the right when traveling east.
A gushing spring, largest of many along Spring Branch, once flowed here. Early pioneers, Osage Indians, and military personnel stopped to camp here and drink the mineral waters, believed to have curative powers. During the Victorian Era, when the . . . — — Map (db m80336) HM
On West 2nd Street near Willow Avenue (Old U.S. 66), on the right when traveling east.
The Osage at Baxter Springs
The Osage once controlled a vast territory in the center of North America. In the mid-1600s, the tribe moved to the area around Baxter Springs. The area was important to the Osage because, for the tribe, it was . . . — — Map (db m174252) HM
On 7th Street east of Military Avenue (U.S. 69), on the left when traveling east.
A giant elm, it's branches spreading nearly 100 feet, grew here on the bank of Spring Branch. It shaded Fort Blair's mess kitchen during the Civil War and later was infamous as the site of vigilante justice. As many as seven horse thieves were . . . — — Map (db m80339) HM
The Baxter Springs brewery was built on this site in 1870 by Edward Zellekin, a German immigrant who knew there would be a demand for his product in the booming cattle town. The massive building was constructed of brick and yellow . . . — — Map (db m80218) HM
On 13th Street at Park Avenue, on the right when traveling west on 13th Street.
In Memory of
All American Veterans
This memorial honors all American Veterans
who although separated by generations shared a common
undeniable goal to protect our country's freedoms.
In war and in peace they have placed . . . — — Map (db m73093) WM
On East Avenue south of 7th Street, on the left when traveling south.
To the loving memory of those men and women who gave their lives in all past wars and to all veterans who served our great country we dedicate this tank
We thank you for your sacrifices
This M-60 forty five ton Army tank was donated by . . . — — Map (db m80333) WM
On Military Avenue (U.S. 69) at 9th Street, on the left when traveling north on Military Avenue.
In 1870, the city marshal, H. C. Seaman, was called to the Wiggins House, a hotel/saloon located on this corner. The marshal intervened in an alteration between Mr. Wiggins who was the proprietor, a saloon girl, and a Texas cowboy. Nine shots . . . — — Map (db m80346) HM
This engine is one of the first internal combustion engines used by the Missouri Pacific Rail Road. It ushered in a new form of motive power that eventually replaced the steam engine.
This engine was last used at the Mackie-Clemens Mine #22 in . . . — — Map (db m34696) HM
This wooden frame depot is typical of most small town stations of this era. The depot and water tower was originally built in the 1880s and was located about ¼ mile south. The depot was torn down and moved in 1941. Due to the shortages caused by . . . — — Map (db m34676) HM
This Caboose was used by the Southern Pacific Railroad. Train crews lived in the caboose as the train traveled across the country. The bay window style allowed the crew to watch the train for any problems while riding. This caboose is on loan to . . . — — Map (db m34710) HM
On Kansas Avenue at Walnut Street, on the right when traveling north on Kansas Avenue.
Robert Alexander Long in 1875 established his first lumber yard at this site. Fifty years later Long-Bell lumber company was the largest lumber company in the world.
www.ralonghistoricalsociety.org — — Map (db m96967) HM
On U.S. 69/160 at North East Avenue (U.S. 69), on the right when traveling east on U.S. 69/160.
The Cherokee Indians were given this land in an 1835 treaty becoming the Cherokee Neutral Lands. Kansas was established as a state in 1861. The territory became Cherokee County named for the Cherokee Indian Nation.
During the Civil War the . . . — — Map (db m60770) HM
Unique railroading history is on display before you. A three-way interlocking railway crossing.
The crossing, formerly located in the northern part of Columbus, was donated to the City of Columbus by the Burlington Northern Railroad. At the . . . — — Map (db m11593) HM
On Main Street (Historic US Route 66) near 5th Street, on the right when traveling south.
In 2001, members of the community joined with the Galena Chamber of Commerce to donate a block of the downown Route 66 main street to construct a park for everyone to enjoy.
Route 66 Howard "Pappy" Litch Park
The Oldest Mining Town in . . . — — Map (db m43047) HM
On South Main Street just south of West 5th Street, on the right when traveling south.
Formerly, modern-day Galena was a wooded area of the Kansas
Ozarks. By 1835, it was part of the Cherokee Neutral Lands, though
Euro-Americans quickly settled the region after Kansas became a state
in 1861. Sharing a border with slave-state . . . — — Map (db m161630) HM
On Main Street at 5th Street, on the right when traveling south on Main Street.
Named for the ore it produced, Galena lead mining was the largest industry in our history, starting in 1873 and continuing until 1973. The mining and smelting required 3 railroads, 65 crushers, 2 smelters and 3 sludge mills to handle the ore . . . — — Map (db m43035) HM
On South Main Street just south of West 5th Street, on the right when traveling south.
As an important mining town, Galena had
numerous mines and smelters, but none
was more important than the Eagle-Picher
smelter plant north of the pre-1940s Route 66
alignment. The facility operated from around
the late 19th century until 2004 . . . — — Map (db m161632) HM
On South Main Street at West 5th Street, on the right when traveling south on South Main Street.
For many years, a large garage/service station stood at this location.
The owner, Howard "Pappy” Litch, was an avid Galena historian.
"Pappy” spent much of his life promoting his hometown and saving
its history. To honor him for . . . — — Map (db m161633) HM
Geological remnants of Mississippian times are found in the limestone cave region of the 55 square mile Ozark Plateau in the very southeast corner of Kansas. The cherty limestones of the area were developed in marine environments during the late . . . — — Map (db m61154) HM
On Front Street (Old U.S. 66) 0.3 miles east of Joplin Street, on the right when traveling west.
This 1.2-mile section of roadbed is the most intact section of the original U.S. Highway 66 (Route 66) in Kansas. It was first paved around the turn of the century using macadam made from the waste products of the nearby mines. Prior to its federal . . . — — Map (db m170666) HM
On 7th Street (State Highway 26/66) west of Wall Street, on the right when traveling west.
Dedicated to the Glory of God
and to the Spirit of
Sacrifice and Honor of the
Men and Women of
this community who served
our country in all wars
Lest we forget they have
given all for the principles
of democracy
Freedom of . . . — — Map (db m61152) WM
On South Main Street just south of West 5th Street, on the right when traveling south.
There is plenty to do while visiting Galena, aside from Cars
on the Route, starting right here in Howard "Pappy Litch
Memorial Park. Named for a local historian, the park was
once a federal weigh station. This official Route 66 . . . — — Map (db m161631) HM
On U.S. 400 near State Highway 66, on the right when traveling south.
Headquartered in Fort Scott, Union Major General James G. Blunt was the highly recognized commander of the District of the Frontier. In 1863, Blunt decided his force needed to be closer to the gathering Confederate forces in the South and headed out . . . — — Map (db m170743) HM
On U.S. 400 at State Highway 66, on the right when traveling south on U.S. 400.
In less than 14 miles, this byway connects 3 towns, each with its own American success story.
The towns that dot Kansas Historic Route 66 were each poised for great success at the time the highway was designated in 1926. Galena was a major . . . — — Map (db m81118) HM
On U.S. 400 at State Highway 66, on the right when traveling south on U.S. 400.
When Route 66 first gained federal status in 1926, it traveled over Kansas roads already paved.
At a time when hard-surfaced roads were a rarity in Kansas, Cherokee County was an exception. Prior to the turn of the century, engineers had . . . — — Map (db m81117) HM
On U.S. 400 at State Highway 66, on the right when traveling south on U.S. 400.
The people of the Cherokee Nation left a lasting legacy to this corner of the State.
The 1836 Treaty of New Echota forced the removal of the Cherokee Nation from lands east of the Mississippi to the new Indian Territory. In addition to the . . . — — Map (db m81141) HM
On U.S. 400 at State Highway 66, on the right when traveling south on U.S. 400.
You stand just miles north of one of Kansas' oldest highways: the Black Dog Hunting Trail.
In order to provide a supply route between seasonal hunting grounds, the indigenous people of the Osage Nation blazed a trail in the first decade of . . . — — Map (db m81145) HM
On U.S. 400 at State Highway 66, on the right when traveling south on U.S. 400.
Baxter Springs is located on the Old Military Road connecting Fort Leavenworth and Fort Scott in Kansas Territory to Fort Gibson in Indian Territory and Fort Smith, Arkansas. The city initially served as a rest stop for wagon supply trains and their . . . — — Map (db m170736) HM
On U.S. 400 at State Highway 66, on the right when traveling south on U.S. 400.
The waters of the Spring River and its tributaries have shaped this land and its settlement.
The Spring River and the waters that feed it, such as Brush, Shoal and Short Creek, carve their way through this corner of Cherokee County. For . . . — — Map (db m81100) HM
On South East Beasley Road, on the right when traveling west.
Rainbow Curve Bridge constructed in 1923 over Brush Creek. Only remaining Marsh Arch Bridge on Route 66. Listed on the National Registry March 10, 1983. — — Map (db m52060) HM
On U.S. 400 at State Highway 66, on the right when traveling south on U.S. 400.
From wagon trails to rivers, railroads to highways, the ease of transporting people and goods has shaped the settlement of Kansas. At Riverton, two paths from different eras, now Historic Byways, cross. The Old Military Road passes along Kansas' . . . — — Map (db m170681) HM
The City of Treece, located ½ mile west of Hwy. 69 was founded on February 26, 1918 as a result of mining operations in the early 20th century. During prime mining industry production; Treece, neighboring Picher, Oklahoma and several other small . . . — — Map (db m82092) HM
This dipper bucket will hold 40 cubic yards of dirt and rock. It was donated by the Peabody Coal Company from their Roger County Mine #2 near Vinita Oklahoma. The dipper came off a Model 5561 (Marion) Coal Shovel. The weight of the dipper, as it . . . — — Map (db m39741) HM
With the discovery of coal in Cherokee and Crawford Counties in the late 1860's, thousands came to work the mines. Some came from American towns and cities but most were immigrants from Europe. Over fifty nationalities settled in this area. Many . . . — — Map (db m39738) HM
In Grateful Memory of All
Those Who Served Their Country.
Star Cemetery
Fred Fry • William Druit • Pete Bond
James Geddes • James Huntsinger
John Marietta • Joe Marietta
Dalla Creekmore • Julian Englebright
Charles Stout • . . . — — Map (db m39768) WM
