Historical Markers in
Douglas County, Kansas

4 East 7th Street 700 Main Street 700-702 Massachusetts Street 701 Main Street 707 Main Street 711 Main Street 715 Main Street 719 Main Street 720/722 Main Street 724 Main Street 726 Main Street 736 Main Street 746 Massachusetts Street 800 Main Street 806 Main Street 825-827 Massachusetts Street Achning Hardware Adolph Frederick Rupp Anderson Building Arthur C. "Dutch" Lonborg Baker University Baldwin Battle of Black Jack Battle of Black Jack Black Jack Cabin Black Jack Park Buford M. Watson Jr. Park California and Oregon Trails Memorial Citizens Memorial Monument City of Eudora - The Early Years Coffin Sports Complex, Tahoma, and Teacher's Quarters Coon Point Dean Smith Democratic Headquarters Douglas County Courthouse Dr. F. C. "Phog" Allen Dr. James Naismith Eudora's First Bell First United Methodist Church Forrest "Phog" Clare Allen Free State Hotel Globe Grand Army of the Republic Memorial Haskell Bandstand/Gazebo Haskell Celebration 1926 Haskell Indian Nations University Haskell Indian Nations University Haskell Indian Nations University Timeline Haskell Stadium Memorial Arch Hiawatha Hall Historic Pinckney Neighborhood House Building Ivan L. Boyd Memorial Prairie Preserve John Brown and the Siege of Lawrence, September 14-15, 1856 John Speer Farmstead Kansas River Flood Levels Korean War Memorial Lane University Langston Hughes and the Carnegie Library Larry Brown Lawrence Lawrence and the Old Trails Lawrence City [Carnegie] Library Lawrence Masonic Temple Lawrence Studio Lawrence Veterans' Memorial Lawrence Visitor Information Center Lecompton Lecompton Constitution Hall Leo A. Beuerman Liberty Hall Lucy Hobbs Taylor Building Marks Jewelers Miller's Hall Palmyra Palmyra Well Pioneer Cemetery Purple Heart Trail in Kansas Ridenour & Baker Building Round Corner Drug Santa Fe Steam Locomotive 1073 Santa Fe Trail Crossed Here Shawnee Tribal Leader Paschal Fish and his Daughter, Eudora Sheriff Samuel J. Jones South Park Spanish-American War Memorial Standard Mutual Life Building Stony Point Church and Cemetery Tecumseh Hall The Battle of Black Jack The Castle Tea Room The Douglas County Memorial of Honor The First Lawrence U.S. Post Office The Haskell Cemetery The Original Bandstand The Victory Eagle The WheatFields Oven Trail Park Trinity Episcopal Church Unknown Dead War Mothers Memorial Wiedemann Building World War II Memorial Campanile
The state bird of Kansas is the western meadowlark, which is known for its distinctive song.
Kansas random facts
Douglas County, Kansas has a rich and diverse history dating back to the time of Native American settlements. The Kaw (or Kanza) people were the original inhabitants of the area before European settlers arrived in the 19th century. The county takes its name after Stephen A. Douglas, a prominent 19th-century politician.

In the mid-1800s, Douglas County played a crucial role in the "Bleeding Kansas" era, a period of conflict over whether Kansas would be a free or slave state. Lawrence, the county seat, was a stronghold for anti-slavery activists and had a significant impact on the national debate on slavery. The infamous Lawrence Massacre in 1856, where pro-slavery forces attacked the town, further intensified the tensions.

During the Civil War, Douglas County continued to be a center for abolitionist activities. The county's residents played vital roles in supporting the Union army and providing aid to escaped slaves traveling the Underground Railroad. The historic Eldridge Hotel in Lawrence served as a temporary headquarters for several Union generals.

In the post-war years, Douglas County experienced significant growth and development. The University of Kansas was established in Lawrence in 1866, becoming a major educational and cultural institution for the county and the region. As the county grew, agriculture played a vital role in its economy, with thriving wheat and dairy industries. Today, Douglas County continues to preserve its historical significance while embracing modern advancements and maintaining a strong sense of community.

This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Douglas County, Kansas.

  • 1854 - Douglas County, Kansas is established as a county
  • 1855 - Lawrence, the county seat, is founded
  • 1856 - Violence erupts in Lawrence during the "Bleeding Kansas" era
  • 1863 - Quantrill's Raid on Lawrence results in the destruction of much of the city
  • 1870 - The University of Kansas is founded in Lawrence
  • 1903 - The United Spanish War Veterans Home is established in Leavenworth
  • 1954 - Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court case rules against racial segregation in schools
  • 2008 - The closure of the Sunflower Army Ammunition Plant marks the end of an era