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Summer is here and we have activities galore! “Our Local History” events to attend, books to read, sites to visit, crafts to make, volunteer activities and a weekend packed with Santa Fe Trail info and bus trips! Details are below!

Visit Local Historic Site

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Volunteer to Care For Local History!

  • 100 tombstones have been cleaned so far thanks to volunteer efforts!
  • Beautiful carvings, scripture passages and even stories about the deceased have been uncovered.
  • Recently, 14 junior high students from Baldwin, Eudora and Wellsville participated and did a fabulous job. We appreciate their help.
  • If you would like to be added to the cemetery’s email list for notifications about cleaning dates and other activities, let us know at Contact Us

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“Our Local History” Event #1 – June 14

  • The Lawrence Model Railroad Club displays & works on their model trains at the Depot.
  • They look forward to holding more events for the community and kids of all ages.
  • Look for information here and on their website lawrencemodelrailroadclub.org which will be updated soon.

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“Our Local History” Event #2 – June 21

  • Buses will pick up on 7th Street next to the post office. 
  • This is a riding tour only – no getting on and off. 
  • Seating is limited, so come early.
  • Our guides are extremely knowledgeable – you WON’T be disappointed!

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Local History Crafts at 3rd Fridays – June 20

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Check Out (Literally!) these Santa Fe Trail books from the Kansas Room at the Baldwin City Public Library!

Comanche Jack Stilwell: Army Scout and Plainsman By Chambers & Carlson

Stilwell was from the Baldwin area & traveled the Santa Fe Trail as a youth!

Young Stilwell ran away with a wagon train at age 13 and became a teamster. He went on to become a lawyer, judge, US Marshal, Army scout, associate of Buffalo Bill Cody, and friend of George Custer. He learned Comanche, Spanish and sign language. He tried to avenge the death of his brother Frank Stilwell who was killed by Wyatt Earp in Tombstone. Stilwell’s life adventures occurred during the Civil War, OK land rush and Wild West days.

This book is interesting, a quick read and covers lots of history. Come Check it out!

Crossings: Women on the Santa Fe Trail By Dr. Frances Levine

This book is in such demand it is flying off the shelf!  Come Check it out NOW!

Most books about the Santa Fe Trail (SFT) tell the stories of male travelers.  Information about women on the SFT during this period can be difficult to find.  Dr. Frances Levine’s new book, Crossings: Women on the Santa Fe Trail, is a collection of stories of women traveling the Trail in BOTH directions with background information that further explains the lives of women then and now. 

This book is easy to read and full of unique, rarely seen diary entries and information!

Look for more books and booklets about the SFT on the shelves under the “Santa Fe Trail Books” sign in The Kansas Room – most available for check out! All are marked with a covered wagon sticker.

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Santa Fe Trail Association (SFTA) Symposium 2025

September 24-27 in Council Grove, KS.

SFTA is the National organization the oversees the preservation and promotion of the Santa Fe Trail (SFT).  Our organization, SFTHS of Douglas County, is part of the national organization and cares for the part of the SFT going through Douglas County.

The Symposium event brings together everyone interested in the SFT and its history and preservation.  It is open to non-members and members.

The 2025 Santa Fe Trail Association Symposium “Marking A Road to Santa Fe: Set Your Sights on Sibley” registration is now available on the Associations web site.

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Currently the “Driving the Santa Fe Tour” app through Freedom’s Frontier is NOT WORKING!

  • We apologize for the inconvenience.
  • We are looking for other ways to provide this tour information and will keep you posted.
    • Stay tuned to this page!

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Did you know?

Our group owns and/or maintains these six historic sites in Southern Douglas County (Black Jack Cabin and Santa Fe Trail Wagon Ruts with Walking Trail, Signal Oak, Clearfield One Room Schoolhouse, Vinland Grange, Santa Fe Railroad Depot in Baldwin, and Palmyra Well) as well as the markers at multiple historic sites around Baldwin and along the SF Trail throughout the County.

Our group provides educational programs, tours and more to the public to share and promote our local history.

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If You Would Like to Join or Support Our Group:

Click these links for Membership Info or Support Us Info!

Artist: Wayne Cooper “The Santa Fe Trail”

For more info about this artwork: https://oksenate.gov/education/senate-artwork/santa-fe-trail

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