On 5th Street at Maple Street, on the right when traveling north on 5th Street.
Axtell Boys
who served in
The World War
1914 - 1918
[Roll of Honored Dead]
Ray J. Creevan Ray R. Hendricks
Arthur Nelson Arthur Ross
[Honor Roll of Veterans, not transcribed]
Nurses Ruth S. E. Anderson . . . — — Map (db m77957) WM
On Main Street at Fitzgerald Street, on the right when traveling west on Main Street.
Born in Bangor Maine on August 15, 1884. He heard Christ's call, "Come follow me." He entered the seminary in 1906. He was ordained to the priesthood on April 3, 1914. Leaving his native Maine, he came as a missionary to serve the Church in . . . — — Map (db m77962) HM
On 21st Road 0.8 miles north of Granite Road, on the right when traveling north.
We spanned the prairie to Guittard's Station, on the far side of a shady, well-wooded creek, the Vermillion... For dinner...the ham and eggs, and hot rolls and coffee were fresh and good, and although drought had killed the salad, we had . . . — — Map (db m77972) HM
To cross the high western mountains before the fall snow storms arrived, many emigrant wagon trains headed for the Oregon or California territories left Independence, Missouri, in mid April to early May. The downside to leaving too early often . . . — — Map (db m79152) HM
The water is of the most excellent kind. The spring is surrounded with Ash Cotton wood and Cedar trees. It is an excellent place to camp for a day or two to wash, recruit the cattle etc. I this day cut the name of the spring in the rock on . . . — — Map (db m79134) HM
Alcove Spring Park consists of more than 200 acres of native prairie and timber land maintained for the preservation of this historic camping ground on the Oregon-California trail and for the enjoyment of our visitors. The park is owned . . . — — Map (db m79116) HM
On Valley Road (State Highway 9) 0.1 miles east of U.S. 77, on the right when traveling east.
Six miles northwest is Alcove Springs, named in 1846 by appreciative travelers on the Oregon trail who carved the name on the surrounding rocks and trees. One described the Springs as "a beautiful cascade of water... altogether one of the most . . . — — Map (db m79113) HM
On 5th Street (U.S. 77) at Main Street, on the left when traveling east on 5th Street.
Ringing loudly at the City's first station, this fire bell was once used to call our firemen to duty. The bell was donated by Mr. & Mrs. Gerald Gellinger in memory of Jeff Wise, long time firefighter and employee of the City of Blue Rapids — — Map (db m78928) HM
On Main Street at 6th Street, on the left when traveling south on Main Street.
Huge continental glaciers, hundreds of feet thick, came from the north to northeastern Kansas in at least two different episodes carrying rocks, gravel, sand, and a special clay called loess to the Blue Rapids area. Our fertile soils and . . . — — Map (db m78960) HM
On Main Street at Smyth Street, on the right when traveling south on Main Street.
This log cabin was built by Swedish emigrants Frank and Augusta Sjoholm in the mid 1870's on their farm eight miles southeast of Blue Rapids. Hewn logs of oak were used in the 12 X 26 foot cabin. The lengthwise logs were spliced by being shaped . . . — — Map (db m78930) HM
On 5th Street (U.S. 77) at Gypsum Street, on the right when traveling west on 5th Street.
This field was the site of a 1913 game between the Chicago White Sox and the New York Giants, winners of the national league pennant that year. Teams consisted of players from other major league teams, who were on a world tour. Blue Rapids was . . . — — Map (db m79095) HM
On Main Street at 6th Street, on the left when traveling south on Main Street.
The age of ice made great changes in the Earth's climate. From 1.6 million to 10,000 years ago the climate chilled, glaciers formed and advanced and retreated at least twice. Advancing glaciers squeezed zones where plants, people and other . . . — — Map (db m78957) HM
On Main Street at 6th Street, on the left when traveling south on Main Street.
The oldest rocks in Kansas can be found right here in Blue Rapids. They are called Sioux Quartzite, a metamorphosed red sandstone originally deposited as sand in riverbeds, buried, and made extremely hard by heat and pressure. This quartzite was . . . — — Map (db m78958)
Dedicated to
Gregory M. Franzwa
1926 - 2009
Friend of Alcove Spring
Historian-Writer-Publisher
Founder of the
Oregon-California Trails Association — — Map (db m79119) HM
Stranded by heavy flood waters on the bank of the Big Blue River, 100 members of the Donner and Reed Wagon Train waited for several days anticipating that the spring runoff would begin to subside. Sarah Keyes, James Reed's mother-in-law, . . . — — Map (db m79137) HM
On Main Street at 6th Street, on the left when traveling north on Main Street.
Blue Rapids Boys in the Service
1914 - 18
Died in Service
George Bedford Clarence L Cole William E Netz William J Rombeck Emil Vopata Raphael L Zidek
[Honor Roll of Veterans]
Marshall County WWII Casualties
James . . . — — Map (db m79091) WM
On 2nd Street (State Highway 9) west of Elm Street, on the right when traveling west.
School district # 35 was organized in March 1869. The first term of school was taught by Professor Stines in the upper story of Heasley Hotel, south of the Mo-Pac tracks.
In the spring of 1870 this school house was built on hand hewn walnut . . . — — Map (db m79145) HM
On 2nd Street (State Highway 9) west of Elm Street, on the right when traveling west.
In remembrance of the
officers and men who
lost their lives in the
destruction of the
USS Maine at
Havana Cuba harbor,
February Fifteenth,
MDCCCXCVIII — — Map (db m79146) WM
On 2nd Street (State Highway 9) at Elm Street, on the right when traveling west on 2nd Street.
Veterans who gave their lives from Frankfort Kansas and surrounding area
WWI:
Benjamin F. Hersh John Hunt Albert H. Jackson Albert C. Leopold Joe P. Meaghen Joseph L. McMinimy Henry W. Waxler
WWII:
Navy:
Fredrick . . . — — Map (db m79149) HM
On S. 10th St., on the right when traveling north.
Apprx. 6 1/2 miles south on East River Road. A campsite on the Oregon - California Trail named by the Reed Donner party of 1846. Burial site of
Sarah Keyes of that party. Also used as early as 1820 by fur trappers and missionaries. — — Map (db m253384) HM
An acknowledgement of the debt which mankind owes to the Heroes who fought to maintain our national union, and preserve to the world a government founded upon liberty and equality. — — Map (db m78050) WM
On South 10th Street, on the right when traveling north.
In the 1800's this site was 100 feet south of the "Blue Earth" or Big Blue River. The river flowed one quarter mile southeast of here before looping back west. This horseshoe-shaped channel was cut off in the 1930's when a new highway and bridge . . . — — Map (db m253382) HM
Begun in 1858, the Hollenberg Ranch, four miles north and one mile east of here, served as a stop on the Oregon-California Trail until the late 1860s. Gerat and Sophia Hollenberg, German emigrants, sold food and other supplies, lodging, and draft . . . — — Map (db m228348) HM
On Veterans Memorial Drive at Carolina Street, on the right when traveling north on Veterans Memorial Drive.
[Rolls of Honored Dead, Missing,
and Veterans]
————————
In Memory Of
Paul Dwerlkotte
And All Veterans
————————
History
of
the . . . — — Map (db m78044) HM WM
On Broadway at 8th Street, on the right when traveling east on Broadway.
In 1859, A.G. Barrett built the "Barrett Hotel." It was located here on the corner of Eighth and Broadway. He built it of native lumber made at his sawmill on the Black Vermillion River.
This was one of the largest hotels on the Overland Route . . . — — Map (db m48596) HM
On 9th Street near Elm Street, on the right when traveling south.
Marysville was a home station for the Pony Express and the original building stands on its original site one block west. There, Pony Express Riders were changed as they carried the Overland Mail through 1966 miles of territory, now eight states. . . . — — Map (db m48634) HM
On Pony Express Highway (U.S. 36) near 11th Road, on the left when traveling east. Reported permanently removed.
A few miles below Marysville was the famous ford on the Oregon Trail known as the Independence, Mormon or California crossing. There thousands of covered wagons with settlers bound for Oregon, Mormons for Utah and gold seekers for California . . . — — Map (db m152715) HM
On Pony Express Highway (U.S. 36) 0.2 miles west of 11th Road, on the right when traveling west.
In 1849, Frank Marshall obtained permission from the U.S. government to establish a trading post and ferry before Kansas opened for settlement. Thousands of wagons lined up to cross the Blue River on the Oregon-California Trail as settlers headed . . . — — Map (db m227616) HM
On South 10th Street, on the right when traveling north.
Ft. Leavenworth to Ft. Kearney. In 1845, Col. Stephen Kearney and 280 dragoons opened this route by locating a ford on the 25 yard-wide Blue River and grading approaches in its steep 25 foot high banks. Iin 1849, Lt. Col. William Loring
and his . . . — — Map (db m253387) HM
On South 10th Street, on the right when traveling north.
Between 1847 and the completion of the transcontinental railroad in 1869, Mormons developed several points of departure. Initially most journeyed west from Florence, NE. In 1855-56 the Mormons gathered at Mormon Grove near Atchison, KS and . . . — — Map (db m253386) HM
On South 10th Street, on the right when traveling north.
Missouri to Oregon. Fur traders, missionaries, gold seekers and emigrants followed this pathway west, forming the largest peacetime migration in the history of the world. An estimated 300,000 pioneers trekked westward on this 2,170 mile journey . . . — — Map (db m253390) HM
On South 10th Street, on the right when traveling north.
Barneston, NE to Red Rock, OK. These Indians used this trail along the Big Blue River from 1871 to 1881 seeking new lands in Indian Territory. By 1882, all these Indians were removed to reservations near Red Rock, OK. — — Map (db m253393) HM
Atchison, KS to Denver - 1860's. The Central Overland, California and Pikes Peak Express Co. claimed to be the greatest stage line on the globe, carrying mail, passengers and express. It operated daily and provided five day service between . . . — — Map (db m253391) HM
On 8th Street near Elm Street, on the left when traveling south.
This barn, a Pony Express Station of 1860-61, stands on the original site. Here courageous Pony Express Riders changed mounts as they carried the Overland Mail through 1966 miles of territory, now eight states.
Russell, Majors, Waddell . . . — — Map (db m48631) HM
On South 10th Street, on the right when traveling north.
St. Joseph, MO. to Sacramento, CA. This fast-relay mail express, the only major trail solely used for communications, ran from April 1860 to October 1861. William Russell, Alexander Majors and William Waddell organized the Pony Express as a key . . . — — Map (db m253389) HM
On South 10th Street, on the right when traveling north.
This is a replica of the craft used by pioneers, Pony Express riders and other trails travellers. Emigrants were among the first to cross the Big Blue River on the original Frank Marshall ferry, paying up to $5.00 per wagon and 25 cents
per head . . . — — Map (db m253383) HM
On South 10th Street, on the right when traveling north.
This road began in St. Joseph, MO and joined the Independence Road just west of Marysville, KS. These two roads formed the Oregon - California Trail. Emigrants pioneered this branch in 1844 and used it until about 1865. — — Map (db m253385) HM
In 1851 Francis J. (Frank) Marshall of Weston, MO arrived at the bank of the Big Blue River he came here to establish a trading post and to operate a ferry. On November 11, 1854 Marshall opened the first civilian post office in the territory of . . . — — Map (db m253039) HM
On 10th Street (U.S. 77) at Walnut Street, on the right when traveling south on 10th Street.
For future generations to enjoy
this locomotive
Union Pacific Engine No. 460
has been placed here
as a gift of the
Union Pacific Railroad Company
in April 1956
The project was financed
through sale of stock
of the . . . — — Map (db m78057) HM
