The Santa Fe Trail, an iconic route of American westward expansion, carved a significant path through Douglas County, Kansas, leaving behind a rich legacy of historical sites and stories. This vital artery for trade and migration from the 1820s to the 1880s witnessed pivotal moments in Kansas history, particularly during the tumultuous “Bleeding Kansas” era.
Entering Douglas County near its southeastern corner, a few miles east of the old town of Black Jack, the Santa Fe Trail traversed the landscape in a northwesterly direction, passing through communities like Palmyra and Willow Springs. It then curved southwest, near the now-extinct towns of Globe and Baden, before continuing its journey into Osage County. Today, remnants of this historic pathway, from preserved wagon ruts to commemorative parks, offer tangible connections to a bygone era.
Tracing the Trail: Significant Stops in Douglas County
Douglas County served as a crucial section of the Santa Fe Trail, marked by a series of settlements, stagecoach stops, and natural landmarks that aided or challenged countless travelers. Each location holds a piece of the grand narrative of America’s frontier.
Black Jack Highway Park, Baldwin City
Located three miles east of Baldwin City on U.S. 56, Black Jack Highway Park commemorates a site of immense historical importance. Many historians consider the Battle of Black Jack, fought on June 2, 1856, to be one of the first armed conflicts of the Civil War, predating its official start by five years. Here, abolitionist John Brown led his militia against a pro-slavery force amidst the violent struggles of Bleeding Kansas. The park features an authentic log cabin housing antiques from the Santa Fe Trail era. A small footbridge and trail extend from the park to the Ivan Boyd Prairie Preserve, where some of the finest and most dramatic parallel trail ruts along the entire Santa Fe Trail are visibly preserved. Nearby, Pearson Memorial Park is also recognized by some as the actual site of the Battle of Black Jack.
Palmyra Well, Baldwin City
The community of Palmyra emerged along the Santa Fe Trail in the 1850s, flourishing around a crucial water source: the Palmyra Well. This well was indispensable, providing sustenance for trail travelers, their livestock, and the growing community. It became a preferred spot for wagon repairs and rest for those journeying across the plains. Palmyra operated a post office from 1857 until 1862, when its name was changed to Baldwin City. Although Palmyra eventually merged into Baldwin, its historical significance is marked by commemorative plaques. The original well can still be found within present-day Baldwin City, east of the high school, a testament to its enduring legacy.
Santa Fe Trail Park, Baldwin City
A short distance northwest of Palmyra Well, Santa Fe Trail Park is another significant preservation site. It hosts a large granite Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) marker, signifying its importance. An adjacent diagonal county road precisely traces the original trail route to the northwest, guiding visitors along the historic path. This property, donated to Baker University in 1907, has since been added to the National Registry of Historic Sites. Beyond this point, the trail navigated a distinct geographical feature known as “The Narrows.”
The Narrows, Douglas County
“The Narrows” was a crucial ridge that separated the Wakarusa Creek to the north from the Marais des Cygnes River to the south. Along this narrow passage, wagon trains were compelled to remain on the ridge to avoid treacherous terrain and muddy impassable draws. This challenging segment stretched approximately nine miles, from just west of Black Jack Park, east of Baldwin City, to the site of Willow Springs to the northwest.
In May 1846, with the declaration of war against Mexico, General Stephen W. Kearny’s Army of the West departed Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. On June 30, Kearny embarked on blazing a new military road from the fort to connect with the Santa Fe Trail at “The Narrows.” The initial days of their journey were arduous, with soldiers and wagons battling through deep mud and overcoming steep bluffs. Mules and oxen had to be unhitched, forcing soldiers to manually haul wagons, an immense undertaking. Despite the unexpected delays and difficulties, Kearny’s army successfully linked with the Santa Fe Trail on July 4, marking a new chapter in the trail’s military use.
Blue Mound, Douglas County
Approximately three miles southeast of Lawrence, Blue Mound stands as a prominent natural landmark in Douglas County. Rising to 1,043 feet above sea level, this hill, located south of the Kansas River in Wakarusa Township, served as an unmistakable guidepost for countless travelers on the Santa Fe Trail, particularly those utilizing the 1846 military road from Fort Leavenworth. Blue Mound, often referred to as one of the Wakarusa Buttes, was a welcome sight for weary pioneers.
Hickory Point-Stony Point, Douglas County
This extinct settlement area, though never large enough to establish a post office, stretches along “The Narrows” from Signal Hill east to almost Brooklyn. Hickory Point became tragically famous during “Bleeding Kansas” due to a property dispute between Charles Dow, a free-state man, and Franklin Coleman, a pro-slavery advocate. This conflict escalated into Dow’s brutal daylight murder by Coleman. Dow’s body remained on the Santa Fe Trail until his friend, Jacob Branson, retrieved it. This murder ignited a chain of violent confrontations, including the Sacking of Lawrence, the Wakarusa War, the Pottawatomie Massacre, and the Battle of Black Jack. To distance itself from this negative notoriety and avoid confusion with another town of the same name in Jefferson County, the community adopted the name Stony Point, which is still used today. The site is located at North 650 Road between East 1500 & 1550 Roads.
Brooklyn Town Site, Douglas County
Settled as early as 1855 and incorporated in 1858, the town of Brooklyn faced immense hardship during the Civil War. In August 1863, William Quantrill’s men, retreating after burning Lawrence, destroyed nearly all of Brooklyn, sparing only the saloon/general store. Today, a Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) marker stands slightly north of where the primary cluster of buildings once stood. The old townsite is situated near North 550 & East 1400 Roads, a stark reminder of the trail’s volatile era.
Willow Springs, Douglas County
Continuing its northwesterly course, the trail reached Willow Springs, a crucial watering spot on the vast prairie, before turning southwest towards Simmons Point. A post office was established here in 1855 under the name Davis, later changed to Willow Springs in 1861. The town once boasted essential services like a blacksmith shop, a creamery, and a school. Today, Willow Springs is a modest collection of residences, primarily farms, and the historic Willow Springs German Baptist Brethren Church. The original townsite was located near North 550 & East 1100 Roads, with the Santa Fe Trail passing slightly to its east.
Globe Community, Douglas County (formerly Marion/Hubbard’s Stage Stand)
First established in 1857 as Marion, this community in the extreme southwestern portion of Eight Mile Creek valley, about 12 miles west of Baldwin City, quickly gained a post office in 1858. David Hubbard opened a store that same year, constructing a few houses. Two years later, Hubbard expanded his operations, creating Hubbard’s Stage Stand, which encompassed his store, the post office, and stagecoach services. Hubbard operated the stand from 1861 through 1863, a period marked by the devastating guerrilla warfare of the Civil War. Following the Diamond Spring Station raid in May 1863, Dick Yeager and his brigands rode eastward on the Santa Fe Trail, stopping at Hubbard’s place. They shot the proprietor and stole a horse before continuing their rampage. David Hubbard survived the attack but soon abandoned his business, accepting a position in the commissary department of the Thirteenth Corps, United States Army, in September 1863. The post office temporarily closed in 1867, reopened in 1870, and finally closed for good in August 1881, when the town’s name officially changed to Globe. Globe, and the earlier Hubbard’s Stage Stand, stood as one of the first trading establishments in Kansas, located seven miles east of the Osage-Douglas County line along present-day Highway 56 at North 500 Road.
Simmons Point Stage Station, Douglas County
The primary feature of Simmons Point is the abandoned stage station, whose ruins are part of a privately owned farmstead. Operated by Phillip and Elmira Dodder Simmons, the precise dates of its operation remain unknown, though it once offered a small hotel for weary travelers. This property is private, and trespassing is strictly prohibited. A small cemetery lies just west of the stage station on the north side of U.S. 56. Additional ruts of the Santa Fe Trail are clearly visible in fields on both sides of U.S. Highway 56, approximately 1.5 miles west of the stage station. The Simmons Point stage station is located north of U.S. Highway 56 and 12 miles west of Baldwin City.
Baden, Douglas County
Baden was a modest community situated about one mile east of the Douglas-Osage County line. It never grew beyond a small collection of houses, hosting a post office intermittently from 1883 to 1886 and again from 1888 until 1891. This site serves as the final significant marker in Douglas County, identifying both a crucial trail crossing point and the former location of the Baden Post Office.
Conclusion: The Enduring Legacy of the Santa Fe Trail in Douglas County
The passage of the Santa Fe Trail through Douglas County, Kansas, is more than just a line on a map; it’s a vibrant tapestry woven with the threads of westward expansion, arduous journeys, pivotal conflicts, and the birth and disappearance of communities. From the battleground of Black Jack to the essential watering hole of Palmyra Well, and the challenging terrain of The Narrows, each site tells a story of resilience, ambition, and the profound changes that shaped the American frontier. The preserved ruts, historical markers, and remnants of old settlements throughout Douglas County continue to honor the countless individuals who traversed this legendary route, leaving an indelible mark on the landscape and the nation’s history. Understanding these sites provides a deeper appreciation for the enduring legacy of the Santa Fe Trail and its pivotal role in the development of Kansas and the American West.
