Elk Falls in Elk County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Prudence Crandall
In 1831, Prudence Crandall, educator, emancipator, and human rights advocate, established a school which in 1833, became the first Black female academy in New England at Canterbury, Connecticut. This later action resulted in her arrest and imprisonment for violating the "Black Law."
Although she was later released on a technicality, the school was forced to close after being harassed and attacked by a mob. She moved with her husband Reverend Calvin Philleo to Illinois.
After her husband died in 1874, she and her brother moved to a farm near Elk Falls. Prudence taught throughout her long life and was an outspoken champion for equality of education and the rights of women. In 1886, supported by Mark Twain and others, an annuity was granted to her by the Connecticut Legislature. She purchased a house in Elk Falls where she died January 27, 1890.
Over a hundred years later, legal arguments used by her 1834 trial attorneys were submitted to the Supreme Court during their consideration of the historic civil rights case of Brown vs. Topeka Board of Education.
Erected by Kansas Historical Society and Kansas Department of Transportation. (Marker Number 112.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans • Civil Rights • Education. In addition, it is included in the Kansas Historical Society series list. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1901.
Location. 37° 22.362′ N, 96° 12.013′ W. Marker is in Elk Falls, Kansas, in Elk County. Marker is at the intersection of U.S. 160 and Osage Street, on the right when traveling east on U.S. 160. Marker is at a roadside pulloff. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Elk Falls KS 67345, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 6 other markers are within 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. A different marker also named Prudence Crandall (here, next to this marker); Pershing / Praire Gem School House (approx. 0.3 miles away); Elk Falls Pratt Truss Bridge (approx. 0.9 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 7.3 miles away); Howard Bells (approx. 7.6 miles away); Benjamin F. Hobbs (approx. 9.7 miles away).
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.
Also see . . .
1. Prudence Crandall. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on July 25, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. Prudence Crandall: Woman of Courage. A Celebration of Women Writers website entry (Submitted on July 30, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
3. Prudence Crandall Museum, Canterbury CT. Official Connecticut website entry (Submitted on July 30, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on July 25, 2022. It was originally submitted on July 30, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 668 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on July 30, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 2. submitted on July 25, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 3, 4. submitted on July 30, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.