Historical Marker

Reno County Civil War Soldiers and Sailors Monument

Historical marker location:
Hutchinson, Kansas
( Marker is at the intersection of East 1st Avenue and Walnut Street, in the median on East 1st Avenue.)
Marker installed: 1918

  A brief timeline of the Civil War

  • April 12, 1861: The Civil War begins with the Confederate attack on Fort Sumter, located in South Carolina's Charleston Harbor.

  • April 15, 1861: President Abraham Lincoln issues a call for 75,000 volunteers to serve in the Union Army to suppress the rebellion.

  • May 24, 1861: The first major land battle, known as the First Battle of Bull Run (or First Battle of Manassas), takes place in Virginia. It ends in Confederate victory.

  • September 17, 1862: The Battle of Antietam in Maryland becomes the bloodiest single-day battle in American history, with heavy casualties on both sides. The Union forces, commanded by General George McClellan, manage to halt Confederate General Robert E. Lee's advance into Union territory.

  • January 1, 1863: President Lincoln issues the Emancipation Proclamation, declaring that all slaves in Confederate-held territories are to be set free. However, the proclamation does not immediately free all slaves in the United States.

  • July 1-3, 1863: The Battle of Gettysburg in Pennsylvania takes place, resulting in a significant Union victory and inflicting heavy casualties on Confederate forces. It marks a turning point in the war.

  • November 19, 1863: President Lincoln delivers the Gettysburg Address, emphasizing the principles of liberty, equality, and the preservation of the Union.

  • April 9, 1865: General Robert E. Lee surrenders to Union General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House in Virginia, effectively ending the Civil War.

  • April 14, 1865: President Lincoln is assassinated by John Wilkes Booth while attending a play at Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C.

  • May 10, 1865: Confederate President Jefferson Davis is captured, signaling the collapse of the Confederate government.

  • December 6, 1865: The Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution is ratified, officially abolishing slavery throughout the country.

While this timeline provides an overview of key events, it is important to note that the Civil War spanned over four years, from 1861 to 1865, and encompassed numerous battles, campaigns, and political developments that shaped the course of American history.

The world's first Pizza Hut restaurant opened in Wichita, Kansas in 1958.
Kansas random facts
Reno County, Kansas, has a rich and diverse history that spans back thousands of years. The area was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Kansa and Osage, who were agrarian societies that thrived along the Arkansas River.

In the early 1800s, European settlers began to establish trading posts in the region, hoping to profit from the lucrative fur trade. The area soon became a popular stop for pioneers traveling along the Santa Fe Trail and the Chisholm Trail, as it provided a reliable water source and offered fertile land for farming.

In 1872, the city of Hutchinson was founded in Reno County, named after Civil War General William Hutchinson. The city quickly grew and became a hub for trade and commerce, thanks to its strategic location along major transportation routes. It became known as the "Salt City" due to its booming salt industry, which was essential for preserving food in an era before refrigeration.

Over the years, Reno County and its cities faced numerous challenges and achieved notable milestones. The devastating floods of 1904 and 1921 caused significant damage to the region but ultimately prompted the construction of levees and flood control measures. The establishment of the Kansas State Industrial Reformatory in Hutchinson in 1911 brought jobs and economic growth. Today, Reno County continues to thrive, offering a mix of agricultural, industrial, and cultural opportunities for its residents and visitors.

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

  • 1803: The area that is now Reno County was acquired as part of the Louisiana Purchase.
  • 1869: Reno County was officially established and named after Major General Jesse L. Reno, who was killed in the American Civil War.
  • 1872: The city of Hutchinson was founded as the county seat of Reno County.
  • 1874: The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway reached Hutchinson, leading to rapid growth and development.
  • 1887: The first natural gas well was drilled in Reno County, leading to the establishment of the Kansas natural gas industry.
  • 1893: The Kansas State Fair, one of the largest annual events in the state, moved to Hutchinson.
  • 1907: The first radio station in Kansas, KFKB, began broadcasting in Hutchinson.
  • 1930s: During the Great Depression, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) built several parks and recreational areas in Reno County.
  • 1950s: The construction of the Hutchinson Naval Air Station brought economic growth and increased population.
  • 1997: The Underground Salt Museum, located in the underground tunnels of Hutchinson's salt mines, opened to the public.