Historical Kansas (West Bound) # 97
Posted by: 
BruceS
N 39° 03.608 W 096° 07.298
14S E 749053 N 4327393
Historical marker located in westbound rest area near mile 337 on I-70.
Waymark Code: WM1ZHR
Location: Kansas, United States
Date Posted: 08/09/2007
Views: 61
Historical Kansas
You are on the eastern edge of a Bluestem pasture region known as the
Flint Hills. Extending past Junction City, this nutritious grazing area averages
60 miles in width, and reaches south into Oklahoma. For centuries buffalo in
great numbers grazed its acres. Eventually they were succeeded by rangy Texas
cattle. "Texas shipped up the horns and we put the bodies under them," old
Kansas cowmen used to say. Today the Flints Hills fatten more than a million
fine cattle annually.
White men exploring this region in the early 1800's found only a few Kaw
Indian villages. Several miles west, Osages attacked Fremont's 1843
expedition and stole some of its best horses. later this area was part of
an Indian reserve for the Pottawatomies.
The Connecticut Kansas colony ~~ of Beecher Bible and Rifle fame ~~
settled at Wabaunsee, 15 miles northwest, in 1856. This Free-State colony
erected a stone church in 1862 which still stands. Farther northwest is
Manhattan, established in 1855, the home of Kansas State University, designated
a land grant college in 1863. Above Manhattan is Tuttle Creek reservoir.
Fort Riley is 34 miles ahead. J.E.B. Stuart, George A. Custer and
George Patton, Jr. were among world-renowned cavalrymen once stationed there. ~
text of marker