Enjoy these latest additions to our website:
Camp Union, Kansas City, Missouri – Camp Union, also known as Fort Union, in Kansas City, Missouri, was established after the Civil War began on April 12, 1861.
Lost Orpheum Theatres in Kansas City – In Kansas City, Missouri’s history, there were two Orpheum Theatres that provided a higher class of vaudeville entertainment.
City of Kansas, Missouri – Before Kansas City – Old Kansas Town, the predecessor of Kansas City, started in 1838 when John McCoy and 13 other men laid out a new town along the Missouri River.
Kansas City, Missouri Timeline – Chronological timeline of Kansas City, Missouri.
Businesses to the Wayside – Businesses fail daily for various reasons. Many, thought to have been American staples, have also failed.
Trans World Airlines – A Long Road to Failure – Trans World Airlines, Inc. (TWA) was a former American airline that maintained extensive routes in the United States, Europe, the Caribbean, and the Middle East. It operated from 1930 until 2001 when it was absorbed by American Airlines.
May Newsletter – Memorial Day and Who it Honors, Indian Removal Act of 1830, Landmarks on the Oregon Trail, America’s Mother Road, and more!! In this month’s newsletter.
Buckroe Beach in Hampton, Virginia – Buckroe Beach, a neighborhood of Hampton, Virginia, is north of Fort Monroe on the Chesapeake Bay. The amusement park that was once here is gone today.
Missouri Pacific Railroad – The Missouri Pacific Railroad, also known as the MoPac, was one of the first railroads in the United States west of the Mississippi River.
Potlach Ceremony of Native Americans – The ceremony celebrated a change of rank or status with dancing, feasting, and gifts. Those of the Northwest Coast associated prestige with wealth, and the potlatcher gained prestige according to how liberally he gave.
Tlingit Tribe of the Northwest – The Tlingit tribe once controlled all the land that extends more than 500 miles from Yakutat Bay to the British Columbia border south of present-day Ketchikan, Alaska. Their name for themselves is Lingít, meaning “people of the tides.”
John Margolies – Roadside Photographer – John Margolies was a fantastic photographer, author, and architectural critic who captured thousands of photographs of buildings and roadside attractions between 1969 and 2008.
Coral Court Motel – Vanished From St. Louis, Missouri – The Coral Court Motel in Marlborough, Missouri, a suburb of St. Louis, was an exceptional example of art deco and streamlined modern architectural styles of the 1930s and 1940s on Route 66.
April Newsletter – What happened to Dairy Boy?, Black Sunday, Death Valley, an understated President, and much more in this month’s newsletter.
Easy Travel Organization Tips You Will Love – Whether a seasoned traveler or going for your first-ever adventure, getting organized is always a pain in the neck. Use these tips for easy travel.
Oklahoma Santa Fe Trail Sites – The smallest portion of the Santa Fe Trail was in Oklahoma. Of the two major trail branches, only the Cimarron Route crossed into the state through the western portion of the Oklahoma panhandle in modern Cimarron County.
Bidwell-Bartleson Party – Blazing the California Trail – The Bidwell-Bartleson Party, led by Captain John Bartleson and John Bidwell, became the first American emigrants to attempt a wagon crossing from Missouri to California.
Calvin Coolidge – 30th President – The United States’ 30th President was a man of few words, but bold actions.
Rockville – Attacked by Confederates – (Legends of Kansas) Among the first settlers in this part of the county, if not the first, was Josiah Allen, who came here in about 1843.
New Lancaster – Extinct in Miami County – (Legends of Kansas) The first school taught in Miami County was taught in this area in 1858 by Mrs. Cyrus Shaw. A post office was established in the settlement on February 17, 1859.
Dairy Boy Drive-Ins in Oklahoma – The Dairy Boy Drive-In chain was founded in 1957 by businessmen Harry Atlee and Leonard Hansen, who owned the Hansen-Atlee Dairy in Oklahoma City.
Mission San Juan Capistrano, California – The birthplace of Orange County, it was founded over 240 years ago by Spanish colonists as the seventh of 21 Catholic missions in California.
Miwok Indians of Northern California – The Miwok people are members of four linguistically related Native American groups indigenous to Northern California.
Maidu Indians of Northern California – The Maidu are a Native American people of northern California. Known as the Maiduan, they have inhabited the land for thousands of years.
Acjachemem People of Southern California – The Acjachemem people historically lived in present-day Orange, northern San Diego, southern Los Angeles, and western Riverside Counties of California.
Martin Van Buren – Eighth President– Martin Van Buren was an attorney, statesman, and eighth President of the United States after serving as Andrew Jackson’s Secretary of State and Vice President.
Great Lakes of North America – These five lakes, together with the St. Lawrence River, contain 20% of the world’s fresh water and form the world’s most extensive surface freshwater system
March Newsletter – A Nation was born here, Battlefields and Rockets, Charles Goodnight, It’s Women’s History Month, and more! in this month’s newsletter.
Development of the Great West – At the close of the Civil War, the nation began to expand westward, railroads were built, and new states were admitted to the Union. (Historic text from 1921)
The Admission of New States – During Westward Expansion, several new states sought Federal Recognition, including Colorado, Nebraska, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, and others. (Historic text from 1921)
Mining and Manufacturing in the West – Indeed, the minerals rather than the land attracted the pioneers who opened the West. (Historic text from 1921)
Evolution of Grazing and Agriculture – The effect of irrigation, wherever introduced, was amazing. Stretches of sand and sagebrush gave way to fertile fields bearing wheat, corn, fruits, vegetables, and grass crops. (Historic text from 1921)
The Railways As Trail Blazers – A decade before the Civil War, the importance of rail connection between the East and the Pacific Coast had been recognized. (Historic text from 1921)
Indian Tribes of California – It has been estimated that when Europeans first came to California, the native population was probably close to 300,000, about 13% of indigenous peoples in North America.
Pit River Tribe of California – The Pit River Indian tribe traditionally occupied lands along the Pit River in the far northeastern part of California, which included Mount Shasta and Lassen Peak to the Warner Range.
A Nation Was Born Here (Legends Travel Blog) – Our arrival in Washington On the Brazos coincided with the annual Texas Independence Celebration. And we explored Navasota, Train Town USA.
Battlefields and Rockets at Brownsville (Legends Travel Blog) For our Winter 2023 adventure, we came back to the Lone Star State, visited the southernmost fort, and found a Starbase… far out!.
Cowlitz Tribe of Washington – The Cowlitz tribe, who spoke their own language, belongs to the Salishan family of languages among Northwest Coast indigenous peoples in Washington.
Chimariko Tribe of Northern California – The Chimariko people are a small tribe comprising the Chimarikan family, who formerly lived on the Trinity River near the mouth of New River in Northern California.
Frank Hamer – Captain Frank Hamer was a Texas Ranger and Lawman who led the posse that tracked down and killed notorious outlaws Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow in 1934
Navasota, Texas – Train Town USA – Navasota, Texas, located on a bend of the Navasota River in southeastern Grimes County, started in 1822 when Francis Holland bought land there.
Washington-on-the-Brazos, Texas – Declaring Independence – Washington-on-the-Brazos, Texas, was the site of the 1936 Convention and the signing of the Texas Declaration of Independence.
Kansas Railroad Timeline – (Legends of Kansas) The rapid growth of railroads in Kansas after the Civil War was a response to an existing need and an attempt to meet the challenge of future development.
Miami County, Kansas – (Legends of Kansas) Miami County, Kansas, located in the east-central part of the state, is part of the Kansas City metropolitan area.
Stanley, Kansas – Extinct but Still Here – (Legends of Kansas) Stanley, Kansas, eight miles southeast of Olathe in the eastern part of Johnson County, was annexed to Overland Park in 1985.
Kansas Becomes Part of the United States – (Legends of Kansas) A summary of time periods leading to Kansas becoming part of the United States.
Period of Political Contests – (Legends of Kansas) The Missourians had given up hope of conquering Kansas by force. The contest then became a political struggle between pro-slavery & Free-State supporters.
The Period of Violence – (Legends of Kansas) Missourians prepared to invade Kansas, destroy Lawrence, & drive the Free-State people out or force them to recognize the pro-slavery Government.
Rival Governments in Kansas – (Legends of Kansas) Two governments were established in Kansas Territory – one for pro-slavery advocates and the other for those fighting for the Free-State cause.
The First Territorial Government of Kansas – (Legends of Kansas) When a territory is organized, it must be provided with a government. However, Kansas residents were immediately at odds regarding government intent.
Kansas Organized as a Territory – (Legends of Kansas) White settlers did not come to Kansas in peace and quiet; the first dozen years following 1854 were filled with hatred, struggle, and bloodshed.
Exploration of Kansas by the United States – (Legends of Kansas) Several expeditions were sent westward to explore new lands after the Louisiana Purchase.
Black Bob Reservation in Johnson County – (Legends of Kansas) Chief Black Bob and his Shawnee band of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, lived on land controlled by Spain in eastern Missouri before moving to Kansas.
The Beginning of Kansas History – (Legends of Kansas) The Spanish are the first to explore much of the United States including Kansas.
Make History Come Alive With These Online Tools and Resources – (By Daniel Sherwin – DadSolo.com) From interactive maps to digital archives, these resources allow you to supplement your lessons with engaging activities that keep your students interested.
February Newsletter – Buffalo Soldiers, Gullah/Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor, Presidents, heroes, traitor, and Hey, Your Truck’s on Fire! in this month’s Newsletter.
Fort Mott, New Jersey – Unusual for U.S. coast defense forts built between 1895 and 1935, Fort Mott was designed to resist a land attack.
The University of Kansas, Lawrence – (Legends of Kansas) The university, often referred to as “KU,” formally opened its doors to students in September 1866, but its history began in 1855. At that time, the first legislature made a provision for a Kansas university, with buildings to be erected when Congress or benefactors would give money for their construction.
Education in Kansas – (Legends of Kansas) The first schools in Kansas were the mission schools for the Indians. Numerous schools were added in the next decades, including colleges.
Industries of Kansas – (Legends of Kansas) Several industries thrived in Kansas in its early years including farming, livestock, coal mining, oil and gas, and manufacturing.
Coming of the Settlers to Kansas – (Legends of Kansas) When Kansas Territory was organized, little was known, but because the North and the South wanted it, knowledge of Kansas spread rapidly
Kansas As a Pathway – (Legends of Kansas) Many roads and trails passed through Kansas during Westward Expansion.
Pioneer Life in Kansas – (Legends of Kansas) The seven territorial years had brought freedom to Kansas. However, the struggle left the pioneers little room for improvement.
Kansas After the Civil War – (Legends of Kansas) The earlier years in Kansas were but a time of preparation, and with the war’s end, the people were at last free to turn their attention to farming or other occupations.
Kansas as an Indian Country – (Legends of Kansas) During the years when the white men were traveling back and forth across Kansas, they were not making settlements here. The country remained in the undisputed possession of the Indians.
James Buchanan – 15th President – James Buchanan was a lawyer, diplomat, and the 15th President of the United States, who served immediately before the Civil War. He remains the only President to be elected from Pennsylvania and a lifelong bachelor.
Chinese Immigration to the United States – In the 1850s, Chinese workers first migrated to the United States to work in the gold mines and take agricultural jobs and factory work. It would begin a century-long struggle for immigration rights.
Purchase of Alaska, 1867 – The purchase of Alaska in 1867 marked the end of Russian efforts to expand trade and settlements to the Pacific coast of North America.
Union Victory of the Civil War – The Union victory in the Civil War demonstrated the strength of the United States Government.
Continental Congress, 1774–1781 – The Continental Congress was the governing body by which the American colonial governments coordinated their resistance to British rule during the first two years of the American Revolution.
Fort Hancock, New Jersey – Fort Hancock is a former United States Army fort at Sandy Hook, New Jersey. The coastal artillery base defended the Atlantic coast and the entrance to New York Harbor, with its first gun batteries operational in 1896.
Samuel de Champlain – Explorer & Diplomat – Samuel de Champlain was an important figure in Canadian history who created the first accurate coastal map during his explorations and founded various colonial settlements.
War on the Oregon & California Trails – Once-friendly Western tribes watched with mounting anger as emigrants helped themselves, often wastefully, to their game, grass, water, and wood.
Ship Wrecks of Cape Cod, Massachusetts – With good cause, sailors steered clear of the Cape Cod coast, for over the years, thousands of vessels have been destroyed on its bars and rocks.
Cape Cod, Massachusetts & National Seashore – The name Cape Cod, coined in 1602 by Bartholomew Gosnold, is the ninth oldest English place name in the United States. Cape Cod National Seashore has long inspired wonder among those who value nature.
Nauset Tribe of Cape Cod, Massachusetts – The Nauset people, sometimes referred to as the Cape Cod Indians, were a Native American tribe who lived in Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
Benedict Arnold -Traitor of the American Revolution – Benedict Arnold was an American military officer in the American Revolution. He fought with distinction for the Continental Army before turning traitor.
William Henry Harrison – 9th President – William Henry Harrison was an American military officer and politician who served as the ninth President of the United States.
World War II – World War II was the largest and most violent armed conflict in the history of mankind, involving more than 30 countries. America was reluctant to get involved.
Outbreak of the American Revolution – The American Revolution began because, by 1763, the English-speaking colonies had matured, and their interests were different from the Mother Country.
Revolutionary War Campaigns – While there were over 230 skirmishes and battles fought during the American Revolution, these were the primary war campaigns.
The Continental Army – The Continental Army represented the Thirteen Colonies in the American Revolution. The army was created to coordinate the military efforts of the colonies in the war against the British, who sought to maintain control over the American colonies.
The United States – A New Nation – The Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, established a new nation and transformed a limited uprising into a revolution that wasn’t easy to pay for.
John Quincy Adams – Sixth President of the United States – Son of our second president John Adams, John Quincy Adams was an American statesman, diplomat, lawyer, and diarist who served as the sixth president of the United States from 1825 to 1829.
James Monroe – Fifth President of the United States – The fifth president of the United States, James Monroe, was a statesman, lawyer, and diplomat who served as president from 1817 to 1825. He was the last president who was a Founding Father and, like four of his predecessors in office, was a native of Virginia.
General Anthony Wayne – Brave Officer of the American Revolution – Anthony Wayne was an American soldier, officer, politician, and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States.
James Madison – 4th President of the United States – James Madison Jr. was an American statesman, diplomat, and Founding Father. He served as the fourth President of the United States from 1809 to 1817. (Historic text from Eminent Americans, Vol II, 1890)
January 2023 Newsletter – American Hero, Dinner with Sam Adams, Taos Revolt, The Lady & the Mule, and much more! in this month’s Newsletter.
The Beginnings of New Jersey – (From Chronicles of America Series, 1919) New Jersey, called Scheyichbi by the Indians, had a history somewhat different from that of other English colonies in America. It was a good-sized dominion surrounded by water, almost an island domain, secluded and independent. It was the only one of the colonies which stood naturally separate and apart. The others were bounded almost entirely by artificial or imaginary lines.
Mary Jane Simpson – The Lady and the Mule – Author Daniel R. Seligman brings us the story of Mary Jane Simpson, who is remembered in death not as the feisty reporter who stood up to the predatory industrialists, but as the namesake of a lovable mule in Virginia City, Nevada.
My Dinner with Samuel Adams – Author A.L. Talarowski brings you face-to-face with America’s Founding Father Samuel Adams in a conversation using actual quotes. From My Dinner with the Founding Fathers, award-winning finalist in the Short Story category of the 2022 American Fiction Awards.
Clay County, Kansas – (Legends of Kansas) Clay County was created from unorganized territory in 1857 and named in honor of the famous American statesman Henry Clay, a member of the United States Senate from Kentucky who served as Secretary of State.
Marion, Kansas – (Legends of Kansas) First called Marion Centre, it was founded in June 1860 when surveyors told settlers in five covered wagons at Emporia, Kansas, that there was good, virgin farmland about 60 miles to the southwest.
Post Rock Scenic Byway – (Legends of Kansas) Making its way over the Smoky Hills of north central Kansas, the Post Rock Scenic Byway winds through 18 miles of fields and prairie across hills, creeks, and valleys, displaying numerous stone fence posts for which this route was named.
Niagara Falls National Heritage Area, New York – The Niagara Falls National Heritage Area, located in western New York, is a collection of historical, natural, and cultural resources that stretch from Niagara Falls to Old Fort Niagara.
Melvern, Kansas – Building Bridges in Osage County – (Legends of Kansas) Melvern, Ks, along the Marias des Cygnes River, got its start when settlers arrived in the area in the 1860s. It was first called Junction Hills.
Midland Trail – First Transcontinental Auto Trail – The Midland Trail, also called the Roosevelt Midland Trail, was a national auto trail spanning the United States from Washington, D.C., west to Los Angeles and San Francisco, California.
December Newsletter – A Sucker Born Every Minute, Colorado Robin Hood, Mining and Murder in Ruby, Remembering Sitting Bull, and much more! in this month’s Newsletter.
Pima Revolt of 1751 – The Pima Revolt, also known as the O’odham Uprising or the Pima Outbreak, was a revolt of O’odham Indians against Spanish colonial forces in Arizona that occurred in 1751.
Fort Stanwix, New York – Fort Stanwix, New York, was a colonial fort that began to be built under the direction of British General John Stanwix on August 26, 1758.
Pawnee Trail in Kansas – (Legends of Kansas) The Pawnee Trail led from Pawnee Indian villages in central Nebraska, crossed the Saline River at Wilson Lake, and continued to the Arkansas River.
Fort Astoria, Oregon – Fort Astoria, Oregon, was the primary fur trading post of John Jacob Astor’s Pacific Fur Company.
Shakerism in America – They called themselves The United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing. However, they became known as Shakers because they trembled, whirled, and shook during ecstatic worship services.
Canterbury Shaker Village, New Hampshire – Canterbury Shaker Village, in New Hampshire, is one of several Shaker communities founded in the 19th century. The historic site is one of the most intact and authentic surviving Shaker communities.
George Bent – Cheyenne-American Soldier & Leader – George Bent was a Cheyenne-American interpreter, historian, Civil War soldier, and Cheyenne Dog Soldier who lived in Colorado.
Susan Magoffin – Recording the Santa Fe Trail – Susan Shelby Magoffin was one of the first women to travel the Santa Fe Trail. Making the journey with her husband, a trader, she kept a detailed diary of her travels which has been extensively used as a source for the history of the time.
Bose Ikard – Black Cowboy in Texas – Bose Ikard was a former slave who participated in the pioneering cattle drives and honed his cowboy skills with Charles Goodnight.
For the History Buff: 10 Fascinating Historical Sites of Colorado – In Colorado, there’s no shortage of opportunities to indulge your interests. From ancient cliff dwellings to iconic mines and everything in between.
Charles Waggoner – Colorado Robin Hood – Submitted by Author Daniel R. Seligman, not many tales of ‘robin hood’ outlaws were like Charles Waggoner, a banker in Colorado who saved his depositors by swindling banks in New York City just before Black Tuesday, 1929.
November Newsletter – A Glorious Disaster, scattered lodges to largest city, salute to veterans & Native American Heritage in this month’s newsletter.
Scouts of the Prairie: A Glorious Disaster – Author Daniel R. Seligman brings us the story of Scouts of the Prairie, a stinker of a play that opened on December 16, 1872 in Chicago. The show was a critical step in the artistic transition from dime novel to stage and launched Buffalo Bill Cody into stardom.
The Mothman of West Virginia – In Point Pleasant, West Virginia, a large humanoid creature called the Mothman was sighted decades ago by two young couples who fled the dark woods in terror.
Thomas R. Livingston – Confederate Guerilla – Major Thomas R. Livingston was a Confederate soldier during the Civil War and a participant in the Bleeding Kansas era that preceded the war.
Wichita, Kansas – Largest City – (Legends of Kansas) The site of Wichita was first settled in 1864 when J.R. Mead opened a trading post. When Mead first settled, the Wichita Indians occupied the land, and the town was named for the tribe. The word means “Scattered Lodges.”
Tuttle Creek Lake and State Park – (Legends of Kansas) The lake is a reservoir on the Big Blue River five miles north of Manhattan. It provides 12,500 surface acres of water and 100 miles of shoreline, making it the second-largest lake in Kansas.
Steps to Counteract Sickness While Traveling – Possibly one of the worst times to get sick is when you’re traveling, as you’re nowhere near the creature comforts that help you feel that little bit better. Here’s what to do in case this happens to you. (Submitted by Daniel Sherwin at DadSolo.com)
Assaria, Kansas – (Legends of Kansas) Assaria, Kansas, in Smoky View Township in south central Saline County, was founded when several Chicago, Illinois settlers bought a section of land for $3.50 an acre.
Wagon Mound, New Mexico – On the Santa Fe Trail – Wagon Mound, New Mexico, a village in Mora County, is located at the foot of a butte called Wagon Mound, an important landmark on the Santa Fe Trail.
October Newsletter – Fall trippin, First Restaurant Chain in America, long path to citizenship, and an obscure American Revolution… In this month’s newsletter.
Aliceville, Kansas – Ghostly in Coffee County – (Legends of Kansas) Aliceville, Kansas, located in Avon Township of Coffey County, is an extinct town because it no longer has a post office. However, it is also an interesting ghost town with a number of buildings, a profitable bank, and an active church.
Fort Brewerton, New York – Fort Brewerton, New York, constructed in 1759, is a historic fort site located in Oswego County. It was built to protect the passage from Albany to the port of Oswego.
Fort Wadsworth, New York – Rich in history and natural beauty, Fort Wadsworth allows visitors to observe an important part of our nation’s history while offering magnificent views of New York Harbor.
Lone Elm, Kansas – Ghost Town in Anderson County – (Legends of Kansas) Lone Elm, Kansas, located in Lone Elm Township of southeast Anderson County, is officially an extinct town because it no longer has a post office. However, as of the 2020 census, its population was 27.
Indigenous Americans Long Path to U.S. Citizenship – The Indian Citizenship Act of 1924 was the first to extend U.S. citizenship to Indigenous peoples of America on a mass scale, 148 years after the founding of our nation.
Nabor Pacheco – Pima County Lawman – Nabor Pacheco was the first person of Mexican descent elected as Sheriff of Pima County in Arizona Territory in 1904. He is credited with ending the practice of Public Hangings in Arizona territory.
Harvey Hotels & Restaurants Along the Rails – Founded in 1876 by Fred Harvey to cater to the growing number of train passengers, the Fred Harvey Company owned the popular Harvey House chain of restaurants, hotels, and other hospitality businesses alongside railroads in the late 1800s. It was the first restaurant chain in the U.S.
Mary Colter – Architect of the West – Mary Colter was one of the very few female American architects of her day. She was also the chief architectural designer and interior decorator for the Fred Harvey Company from 1902 to 1948.
Willis, Kansas – Extinct in Brown County – (Legends of Kansas) Willis, Kansas, is a ghost town in Mission Township of Brown County. Though it showed much promise in its early days, it is a shell of its former self today.
The Battle of Athens: An Obscure American Revolution – (reprinted with permission from Libertarianism.org) Also known as the McMinn County War, this August 1946 battle between returning war veterans and a corrupt sheriff was caused by voter suppression.
Missing Sodder Children in West Virginia – On December 25, 1945, tragedy struck the Sodder family in Fayetteville, West Virginia, when their house went up in flames, and five children disappeared.
Lafontaine, Kansas – Extinct in Wilson County – La Fontaine, in Talleyrand Township of Wilson County, Kansas, got its start on March 14, 1879, when a post office was established. Today, it is a ghost town.
Parallel Road to the Colorado Goldfields – (Legends of Kansas) The Parallel Road was surveyed in 1859, when gold was discovered near Denver, Colorado. This road, which made its way across Kansas, into Nebraska, and Colorado, would be utilized by several stage lines in the following years.
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