This paper explores the history of the Kansas Fever Exodus of 1879 and profiles four African American farmers in Wabaunsee County: Franklin Glass, Daniel Swagerty, W. B. Officer, and George Rodman. Contrary to the common historical narrative, many…
Albany was formed by a set of individuals who desired to fight for their values by bringing Kansas into the United States as a free state. They overcame the harsh environment of the Kansas prairie to build a prosperous community based upon the New…
The author uses an abbreviated journalistic approach to capture the story of the town of Alida, Kansas.
This exploration of the amateur history and archaeological organization, the Quivira Society, was a semester-long KSU intern project involving a museum collection of rich primary sources, Indian artifacts, and publications. Although accessioned, the…
This author gives a brief history of Alta Mills, Kansas.
This study is about the small Alta Mills community in Alta Township, Harvey County, Kansas, and the history of how it came to be. The long journey and migration of Mennonites to Kansas and the cooperative rural spirit they brought made Alta Mills…
This project explores the founding of Bull City and reason for name change to Alton.
This study illustrates the lost town of America City in Nemaha County, Kansas, from its hopeful founding to its imminent decline. Originally built at what would become the southern edge of the county, America City’s history exhibits an almost…
This essay portrays the founding of Americus, Kansas, and how it became one of the proudest populations in late 19th century Kansas. Through the ambitions of Arthur Baker, and the other fifteen members of the Americus Town Company, Americus thrived…
W.H. Wilson founded Anness in the 1880s, in what is now southwestern Sedgwick County. Named after his wife Ann and born out of the overstepping railroad into his farmland. The farm community of Anness never flourished to more than 100 residents and…
This study discusses the relationship of early communities of Clark County, Kansas. The author uses various sources to weave together a narrative of communal interconnections and relationships in reference to the overarching landscape of the region…
This study contains information about the first settlement called Atchison, Atchison County, in the year 1855. It includes historical accounts, both told by historians and in primary sources, and shows the earliest illustrations of the town. The…
While it may be overlooked today, Aubry, Kansas, played a key role in the Civil War and the history of the Kansas but was out-competed by the nearby town of Stilwell. This study includes newspaper articles, online sources, maps of Kansas and quotes…
This paper examines the life of Avis D. Carlson, a woman born in rural Kansas at the turn of the century and who went on to have extensive writing and community activism careers. This study includes analysis of Mrs. Carlson’s written work and…
The author compares three types of Welsh communities found in Kansas to determine when the Welsh language ceased common usage. A variety of historic documents were used to make this determination.
The author creates a charming portrait of the town of Barnes, Kansas. She uses documents as well as oral interviews to tell the delightful history of the town.
Jamie Schendt writes a history of Bean School (District #3 one room school) in Wabaunsee County. Serving an integrated landscape of both white and African American farmers, Bean School was attended by Washington Owen, first black graduate of KSU.…
The author uses historic accounts to recreate the details of Beaver Beach Amusement Park, which was a source of recreation for rural Scott County residents.
Against all hopes, Bellegard, the Swedish farming oasis, never truly became a town. But in symbiosis with Mariadahl, both “towns” persisted for approximately 30 years before Bellegard dissolved. Their union was the only thing that kept either town…
Just three miles east of Richmond, Kansas, in the southwest corner of Franklin County, lies a cemetery, a cemetery containing weathered tombstones barely legible as recently as a few years ago. This cemetery is almost all that remains of a short…
Mabel Dunham did much to preserve the history of Bethany Church while an active member. Her personal memoirs and weekly column in the Clay Center Times newspaper bring to life the love and devotion the community felt for their small rural Kansas…
This study examines the unique factors that influenced the development, progress, and eventual destruction of the lost community of Bigelow. This study includes fieldwork of the former town site, photographs, scholarly journals, and historical…
This paper explores the history of Kansas State University's Black Student Union, which was founded in 1968 by black K-State athletes as a site of solidarity in a time of social upheaval and racial progress. The author analyzes the founding of…
This is a short history of the hotel and mineral springs community that once existed on land owned by the William Blasing family, Zeandale Township, Riley County, Kansas. Although not actually a town, Blasing Springs was a thriving enterprise…
The authors use the oral tale of the village of Blood Creek as a starting point foe their research. Using field work, genealogical inquiry, and historic documents the authors are able to piece together the history of the Blood Creek settlement in…
