Historical Markers in
Linn County, Kansas

After the Battle Barn Battle of Mine Creek Battle of Mine Creek Battle of Mine Creek Blacksmith Shop Cadmus War Memorial Cavalry Cavalry Horses Chaos at the Crossing Clausen Cabin Combat at State Line Conclusion of Price Campaign Confederate Defeat Daily Offering Father Petit and the Potawatomi 'Trail of Death' Father Petit and the Trail of Death Fort Montgomery Ft. Scott and California Road James Montgomery Ballot Box Kanza Indian Site? Lieutenant Colonel Frederick W. Benteen Memorial Bridge Log Cabin School Log Convent Log Corncrib Marais des Cygnes Massacre Marais des Cygnes Massacre State Historic Site Trail Marais Du Cygne Martyrs Memorial Mine Creek Battlefield Aerial Overlay Mound City Bandwagon Mound City Civil War Memorial Mound City Depot Murder on the Marais des Cygnes Number 9 School Nursing the Wounded Potawatomi Burial Ground Potawatomi "Trail of Death" march & death of Fr. Petit Prescott Rural High School Prescott School Price's Raid Priests House Sacred Heart Catholic Church Saint Kateri Tekakwitha Onkweonweke Katsitsiio Teotsitsianekaron Sounds along the byway...anxiety and anticipation in the creak of wagon wheels. Sounds along the byway...auto, trucks and buses. Sounds along the byway...fur traders bringing their goods. Sounds along the byway...saws, picks and axes. Sounds along the roadway...soldiers on the move. Sounds from the past...hoof beats and heartbeats. Sounds of the byway...moccasins and tears. St. Mary's Mission St. Philippine Duchesne Memorial and Historical Park The Battle Begins The Fort Scott Road Two Mounted Armies Collide Union Charge War Memorial Warzel Bungalow Wesley Chapel Bell Windmill and Water Trough World War II Memorial [Potawatomi] Trail of Death "Hurra for Kansas!" "Quah-Kah-Ka-Num-Ad"
The famous outlaw Jesse James was killed in St. Joseph, Missouri, which is just across the border from Kansas.
Linn County, Kansas, located in the eastern part of the state, has a rich and interesting history dating back to the early 1800s. The area was originally inhabited by several Native American tribes, including the Osage, Shawnee, and Delaware tribes. European settlers began to arrive in the region in the 1850s, and the county was officially established in 1867.

The county was named after Lewis F. Linn, a U.S. Senator from Missouri who died in 1843. Linn County played a significant role in the Bleeding Kansas era, a turbulent period in the lead-up to the American Civil War. The county became a hotbed of anti-slavery sentiment, and clashes between pro-slavery and anti-slavery forces were frequent. The Battle of Mine Creek, one of the largest cavalry battles of the war, took place in Linn County in 1864.

After the Civil War, Linn County experienced rapid growth and development. The construction of the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad in the late 1800s greatly facilitated transportation and trade in the region, leading to increased economic activity. Agriculture, particularly the cultivation of wheat and corn, became the dominant industry in the county, and several small towns were established throughout the area.

In the 20th century, Linn County faced challenges such as the Great Depression and the decline of the agricultural industry. However, the county remained resilient and adapted to changing economic conditions. Today, Linn County continues to be a rural community with a strong agricultural focus. Its rich history is preserved in various historical sites, including the Mine Creek Battlefield State Historic Site, which commemorates the important Civil War battle that took place in the county.

This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Linn County, Kansas.

  • 1855 - Linn County, Kansas is established.
  • 1858 - The county seat is designated as Paris.
  • 1863 - Mound City becomes the new county seat.
  • 1864 - Linn County experiences violent skirmishes during the American Civil War.
  • 1867 - Pleasanton is incorporated as a city.
  • 1870 - The Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railway is completed, boosting the county's economy.
  • 1873 - La Cygne is incorporated as a city.
  • 1882 - The Linn County Courthouse is constructed in Mound City.
  • 1951 - The La Cygne Power Station begins operations, becoming a significant local employer.
  • 2011 - Linn County is severely impacted by tornadoes, resulting in loss of life and massive destruction.