Black Jack Wagon Ruts and Ivan Boyd Prairie, 2011 N 200 Road, Wellsville, 66092
- 3 miles east of Baldwin City on US 56 highway. South side of highway at roadside park.
- FREE, Open to the public every day during daylight hours.
- Signs explaining the significance of the area, a replica 1850’s log cabin, ¼ mile (400 m) loop trail along and through 5 prominent wagon ruts, some nearly 4 feet deep.
- The ruts were created by thousands of wagons, mules, oxen, and people traveling to and from Santa Fe between 1821-1880’s. Over 5 ruts cross 18 acres of native tall grass prairie that contain over 200 species of wildflowers, grasses, and sedges. Different species are in bloom every week of summer.
- Find more information about this site at Black Jack Ruts Walking Trail Project
Black Jack Battlefield and Nature Park, 163 East 2000 Road, Wellsville, 66092
- 3 miles east of Baldwin City on US 56 highway.
- FREE, Open to the public every day during daylight hours.
- Site of 1856 Battle of Black Jack between abolitionist (Free-state) and proslavery forces – an indicator of the Civil War that was soon to come. The Free State forces were led by John Brown, Proslavery forces were led by Col. Henry Pate.
- Signage on the battlefield north of the house tells of the battle.
- R. Pearson later built his homestead on this site so he could overlook the battlefield.
- Over 35 acres of nature park with hiking trails.
- Currently (as of Nov. 2025) jointly owned by Baldwin City and Douglas County. New long- and short-range plans related to the preservation, management, and interpretation of the site are being developed by a joint Advisory Board.
Historic Palmyra Well, 400 Washington Street, Baldwin City, 66006
- FREE, Open to the public every day during daylight hours.
- Signs explaining history and significance of well and replica of the well. Signs also give information about the surrounding town of Palmyra.
- Well was hand-dug prior to 1857. It was 70 feet deep.
- It was used by Santa Fe Trail travelers and townspeople to water livestock, wash clothes, and for bath water.
- The 1855 town of Palmyra was a stopping point on Santa Fe Trail.
- Find historical information about the Santa Fe Trail, Palmyra, and other stops along the Trail in Douglas County at Brief Pictorial Tour of SFT or Detailed Pictorial Tour of SFT
Signal Oak, 445 E 1750 Road, Baldwin City, 66006
- FREE, Open to the public every day during daylight hours.
- Signs explaining history and significance of Signal Oak. Large red boulder in trees to left (west) of viewpoint marks actual location of the Oak. (At right is tree in 1913.)
- Signal Oak was an important part of an emergency relay system used in Kansas Territorial times to quickly spread information about approaching danger over a wide area of land.
- Lanterns or flags hung in the tree warned settlers so they could prepare themselves to fight.
- Find more information about this site at Signal Oak
Women’s Bridge Park, 1100 High Street, Baldwin City, 66006
- FREE, Open to the public every day.
- South side of the street – look for the park!!!
- The “Women’s Bridge” was a result of the 1889 Baldwin City “Petticoat Council”. The council consisted of Lucy Sullivan, our first female mayor, and the entirely female city council. These women made improvements to city streets and sidewalks.
- The bridge was built over the stream that crossed the town’s main road so women could cross the stream and keep their dresses clean.
- View the bridge and learn its history on the short trail next to the park beside the bridge.
- Check out the Lucy Sullivan Walking Tour under Self-Guided Tours in Explore the Area.
- Historical information about this site coming soon!
