Cherokee County, Kansas

1932 Plymouth 0-6-0 Switch Engine 2nd Kansas Colored Infantry at Fort Blair 40 Cubic Yard Dipper American Legion Post 206 Veterans Memorial Battle of Baxter Springs Baxter Springs Civil War Memorial Baxter Springs Massacre Baxter Springs Massacre Baxter Springs Massacre Baxter Springs Massacre 1863 Baxter Springs Massacre and Today Baxter Springs Massacre Burial Site Baxter Springs Soldiers' Lot Baxter Springs, Kansas Baxter Springs: from Fort to Town Bischosberger Hotel Black Dog Trail Boom Towns Bridging the American Divide Café on the Route, Baxter Springs, Kansas Camp Logan Cherokee County WWI Veterans Memorial Clock Tower Chicago Drug Store Civil War Tour Civil War Tour Columbus State Bank 100th Anniversary Cosmopolitan Corner Crossroads of Kansas Crowell Bank Drovers' and Farmers' Bank Fire Bell First School in Baxter Springs Fort Blair Fort Blair Fort Blair Blockhouse Fort Blair Breastworks Fort Blair West Breastworks Galena Chamber of Commerce, Galena, Kansas Galena Growth And Change Galena, Kansas Illinois Cash Store Indiana House John Baxter Johnston Public Library Land's Legacy Last Pratt Pony Truss Bridge in Cherokee County Log Cabin Marsh Rainbow Arch Bridge Miner's Memorial Mining And Its Impacts Missouri Pacific Wooden Frame Depot Murder of C. M. Taylor Ohlen's Restaurant and Bakery Opperman Harness and Saddle Shop Phillips 66 Petroleum Company Gas Station Polster Dry Goods Store Quantrill's Raiders Ford Spring River Quantrill's Raiders Kill Johnny Fry Quantrill's Raiders Prepare to Attack Fort Blair Robert Alexander Long Route 66 Howard 'Pappy' Litch Park Southern Pacific Bay Window Caboose Star Cemetery / Borland Cemetery Veterans Memorial Tbe Economic Engines The Battle For Fort Blair The Big Spring The Earliest Residents The Hanging Tree The History of Columbus The Kansas Ozarks The Kansas Route 66 Historic District, East of Galena The Zellekin Brewery Three-Way Interlocking Crossing Treece, Kansas Historical Marker Veterans Memorial Veterans Memorial Veterans Memorial War Memorial War Memorial Welcome To Galena West Mineral War Memorial Where Two Roads Converge Wiggins House
Cherokee County, located in the southeastern corner of Kansas, has a rich and diverse history that spans several centuries. The area was originally home to various Native American tribes, including the most prominent one, the Cherokee Nation. In the early 1800s, the Cherokee Nation established a homeland in present-day Georgia, but was forcibly removed during the Trail of Tears in the 1830s, which led to their resettlement in Indian Territory, now Oklahoma. Some Cherokees chose to settle in the area that would later become Cherokee County.

The county was officially established on August 25, 1855, as one of the original 33 counties of the Kansas Territory. Its early economy was based on agriculture, with settlers primarily engaging in farming, particularly growing corn and livestock. However, the discovery of valuable minerals, including lead and zinc, in the late 1800s brought a significant economic boom to the region. This led to the establishment of mining towns like Weir City, Baxter Springs, and Galena, which became major hubs of mining activity.

Cherokee County also played a role in the Civil War, as it was located on the Missouri-Kansas border. Baxter Springs, in particular, experienced multiple skirmishes and was a strategic location for both Union and Confederate troops. The Battle of Baxter Springs in 1863 was a significant event, during which Union forces successfully defended the town against Confederate guerrilla fighters.

In the 20th century, the mining industry declined, leading to a diversification of the economy. The county focused on agriculture, manufacturing, and later, tourism. Today, Cherokee County is known for its beautiful natural landscapes, such as the scenic Spring River and the expansive Crawford State Park, which offers various outdoor recreational activities. The county also preserves its rich heritage through museums and historical sites, allowing visitors to explore the history and culture of the area.
Brief timeline of the history of Cherokee County, Kansas:

  • 1835 - Cherokee Nation established by Treaty of New Echota
  • 1837 - Land in present-day Kansas assigned to Cherokee Nation
  • 1849 - Treaty of Park Hill cedes Cherokee land to the United States
  • 1854 - Kansas Territory established
  • 1855 - Organization of Crawford County, which included present-day Cherokee County
  • 1860 - Creation of Cherokee County from Crawford County
  • 1862 - Cherokee County experiences violence during the Civil War
  • 1872 - Completion of the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railway through Cherokee County
  • 1903 - Picher mining field discovery leads to a population boom
  • 1926 - Construction of Route 66, a major highway, through the county
  • 1967 - The city of Galena becomes known for its "Cars on the Route" attraction
  • Today, Cherokee County is a thriving area with a rich history and diverse community

This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Cherokee County, Kansas.