Baxter Springs Kansas - The First Kansas Cowtown

Baxter Springs, Kansas

Murphey's Restaurant in Baxter Springs Today

Murphey's Restaurant in Baxter Springs, May, 2004,

Kathy Weiser

Baxter Springs Building, 1915

The same building served as a post office in 1915,

courtesy Wichita State University.

For several years Baxter Springs made little progress. By 1876, the community's population had fallen to only about 800 residents. During this period of hard times, it was discovered that the mineral springs had wonderful health-giving properties and Baxter Springs became a famous health spa. A park was laid out on Military Avenue near the bathhouses and people came from across the country to drink the healing waters.

On April 19, 1876, two members of the James-Younger Gang, Charlie Pitts and Bill Chadwell, rode into town and robbed the Crowell Bank. Though Jesse and Frank James may have been involved in some manner in planning the robbery, they were not seen. Almost three thousand dollars were said to have been taken from the bank. This building now houses the charming Café on Route 66 with a sign on the side of the building that says it was once robbed by Jesse James. The locals will also support this, though historians believe that the James Brothers were not directly involved and were no where near Baxter Springs at the time of the robbery.

In the late 1800s lead and zinc were discovered across the state line in Missouri and helped Baxter Springs economically by attracting more residents. Soon the mining operations grew and reached into the southeast corner of Kansas and the town once again became a prosperous business center. With the influx of miners, the dependence on the mineral springs disappeared and the bathers eventually stopped coming.

Then, in 1926 Route 66 came through the town providing an additional source of revenue as gas stations, cafes and motor courts sprouted up in the town.

In the 1930’s during the notorious run of Bonnie and Clyde, the Baxter Springs General Store was said to have been robbed by the infamous duo twice within one week. As the legend goes, Bonnie and Clyde came through Baxter Springs and robbed the store, only to return just a week later when they traveled through town again and robbed it once more.

In the late 1940’s, Mickey Mantle from Commerce, Oklahoma played for three years with the Baxter Springs Whiz Kids. In 1949, while playing a baseball game in the park Mantle hit a ball into the Spring River. Later, when the game was delayed by a rainstorm, Mantle was approached by Tom Greenwade, a scout for the New York Yankees and signed Mantle up to play.

The 1970’s saw the demise of mining in the area, which left a blighted mark upon much of the lands of southeast Kansas. However, Baxter Springs continued to thrive through the diversification of business, agriculture and industry. Today, the small town is called home to about 4,500 residents.

The original spring for which the town was named and used long ago by the Osage Indians ceased to flow with the advent of lead and zinc mining.

The Cafe on the Route, Kathy Weiser, September, 2007

This image available for photographic prints and

downloads HERE!

The town still boasts many remnants of the Route 66 era, as well as additional history of the Civil War. The town offers a historic walking tour as well as several museums. At the corner of 11^th and Route 66 (Military Avenue) sits the Café on the Route, which is housed in the 1870 building that was once the Crowell Bank and robbed by members of the James-Younger gang in 1876.

If you missed it, the Rainbow Curve Bridge is just north of town, the only remaining Marsh Arch Bridge on Route 66.

At the Chamber of Commerce you can pick up information on the Military Frontier Scenic Byway and the Civil War Driving Tour which features 16 Civil War sites.

At the Baxter Springs Heritage Center and Museum you can see a rebuilt building from Fort Blair, displays on the Baxter Springs Massacre, Civil War artifacts, Native Americans and Route 66.

The Mother Road continues on to Oklahoma through more mining towns - Quapaw, Commerce, and Miami.

See More Pictures and Attractions Next Page

The Rainbow Bridge across the Spring River about two miles west of Riverton, Kansas.

Kathy Weiser, September, 2007

This image available for photographic prints and

downloads HERE!

To Oklahoma 66

Return to Route 66

To Riverton

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From the Rocky Mountain General Store

Four 66 Tin Signs - Set of four Old Route 66 weathered style signs. Measuring 10"x16", made of heavy gauge metal, signs have rolled edges for safe handling. Includes: Main Street USA - Chicago to L.A., Eat here and get gas - Alice's Eatery & Service Station, America's Highway, and U.S. Route 66.