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Long before European empires claimed land in North America, Kansas was home to various indigenous tribes. While some sources might dispute the exact locations of where some tribes were living in Kansas, some of the main tribes that came into contact with Europeans were the Osage, Wichita, Pawnee, Apache, and the Kaw. The Kaw Tribe was also referred to as the "Kanza" or "Kansa," and is the tribe for which the state of Kansas is named. Today, Kansas has four federally recognized tribes, and you learn about them .
 

The Lost City of Etzanoa

Perhaps one of the most interesting developments in recent years that has happened in Kansas has been the . The city of Etzanoa was once a vast settlement founded by the Wichita people, which now mostly lies underneath much of the present-day city of Arkansas City, KS. We can't summarize the extensive history of Etzanoa in just a few sentences, which is why you should read this article that goes into much greater detail about the once-lost city. You can also find a lot of great info on the Etzanoa Conservancy Website at 
 

Mark your calendars!

In June of 2026, visitors will finally be able to immerse themselves in the fascinating history of Etzanoa with the Grand Opening of the . 

Kansas has numerous historical sites and museums dedicated to the legacy of the Spanish Explorers that came through the state. The Spanish first made their way into Kansas during the Coronado Expedition in 1541, approximately 235 years before America declared independence from the British Crown in 1776. Nearly all of these expeditions left behind something significant that is still remembered in Kansas today.  
 

Coronado Heights (Lindsborg & Salina) - Hike the bluff on the Somky Hills that is said to be the place where the Coronado Expedition oversaw the central Kansas prairie. This lookout allows you to see for many miles and is also a favorite stop on the Prairie Trail Scenic Byway.
 

El Cuartelejo Pueblo Ruins (Scott City) - These ruins are located in the Historic Lake Scott State Park near Scott City. This is also the northernmost pueblo ever discovered in the United States. The ruins were once part of a Plains Apache village that served as a refuge for the Taos tribes as they fled the Spanish in New Mexico in the 1660s. 
 

El Quartelejo Museum (Scott City) - Make your way into Scott City to visit the El Quartelejo Museum. This museum not only has an exhibit dedicated to the history of various Native Tribes who lived in the area, but it is also home to a . The museum is also adjacent to the Jerry Thomas Art Gallery, and both are completely free to visit.
 

Coronado Quivira Museum (Lyons) - This museum emphasizes the local history of Rice County, KS, and, in addition to having exhibits on the Spanish expeditions that passed through the area, it also includes a lot of good information on the Santa Fe Trail.
 

Coronado Historical Museum (Liberal) - A free museum located right across from Dorothy's House and the Land of Oz Museum in the city of Liberal. Also part of the Seward County Historical Museum,  this museum gives you a deeper look into how the Spanish expeditions that came through Kansas centuries ago still have a lasting impact on the area's local history to this day. 

Fort de Cavagnial (Leavenworth) - This was the first European settlement to be established in present-day Kansas. The fort was named after the French Governor of the Louisiana Territory, Marquis de Vaudreuil-Cavagnial, and only existed for about 20 years between 1744 and 1764. 

History of the Fort

How did the French even make it to Kansas?

The French found their way into Kansas by slowly moving westward from their claims along the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers. They eventually decided to build Fort de Cavignial in 1744 around present day Leavenworth in an attempt to establish better trade relations with the Kaw Tribe in Kansas. The fort only existed for 20 years and was eventually abandoned after France lost the Seven Years' War (1754-1763) and gave the Louisiana Territory to Spain (that is, until Napoleon won it back in 1800, and then sold it to the United States in 1803). Indeed, for a short while, Kansas changed hands between various European empires before being acquired in the Louisiana Purchase. 
 

Why is Fort de Cavagnial still a mystery?

To date, nobody is certain of the fort's precise location. Some of the only accounts we have that have existed since the first were abandoned in 1766 actually come from the Lewis & Clark Expedition. While historians have a general idea of the fort's location based on the accounts of Lewis and Clark, the fort was still constructed right along a major river that has flooded and changed course many times since 1804. Nature may have simply washed away the entire remains of the fort. While we can confirm the fort's existence from French military records, it's very possible that the only Americans to have laid eyes on its remains were, indeed, Lewis & Clark. 

If you visit the area, you can find a plaque dedicated to the fort, as well as a replica of the fort that can be found at the Frontier Army Museum in Fort Leavenworth. 

Lewis and Clark came to Kansas? That's right! 

Yep, that's right, Lewis and Clark did indeed travel through parts of Kansas on their way to the Pacific Northwest. Not only did they document the approximate location of Fort de Cavagnial near Leavenworth, but they also made a few more stops in Kansas at places like Kaw Point Park in Kansas City and Independence Creek near Atchison.

Lewis & Clark Expedition Sites

Kaw Point Park (Kansas City, Kansas) - Check out the spot where Lewis & Clark mapped the confluence point of the Kansas & Missouri Rivers. Not only is this location great for history buffs, but it also has a and has become a favorite spot for river fishing as well.

Independence Creek (Atchison) - Come and see where Lewis & Clark stumbled upon a Kansa village and decided to camp for the night on the 4th of July, 1804. 
 

Lewis and Clark Riverfront Pavilion (Atchison) - Walk through the beautiful riverfront pavilion in Atchison that was established in 2004 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Lewis & Clark Expedition through the area.

Kansas has dozens of historic sites and landmarks located on the old Oregon and Santa Fe Trails. These two historic trails were traveled for many years before and even after Kansas became a state. Some parts of these old trails are so well preserved that you can still see the wagon ruts that came through more than 150 years ago! Below is where you can find maps for both of these iconic trails in Kansas.

Oregon Trail Map

Santa Fe Trail Map

The Kansas Territory (1854-1861) existed for a brief period before Kansas was eventually granted statehood. This period of Kansas History is also known as "Bleeding Kansas" because it was marked by civil unrest and violent skirmishes between proslavery and antislavery forces. 
 

Kansas Territory Attractions

First Territorial Capitol State Historic Site (Fort Riley & Junction City) - Visit the site where the first territorial legislature met for only five days before fierce disagreements had them move their operation closer to the border with Missouri.
 

Shawnee Indian Mission State Historic Site (Fairway) - This is where visitors can tour the second capital of the Kansas Territory. Built back in 1839, it is one of the oldest buildings in the entire state of Kansas. 
 

Constitution Hall State Historic Site (Lecompton) - Located in historic Lecompton, this was the ideal setting for the proslavery members to establish a territorial government. It was also a hub for political division, as it was perhaps the most heated place to gather in the entire country in the years before the American Civil War.
 

Constitution Hall (Topeka) - Not to be confused with the aforementioned site in Lecompton, this served as the capital for the antislavery faction in Kansas. They ultimately drafted their own constitution to serve as a counterweight to the proslavery government located in Lecompton.
 

Kansas Territorial Capital Museum (Lecompton) - Visit this historic building that has been transformed numerous times since its initial design to serve as the official capital for the state of Kansas. After Lecompton ultimately failed to become the capital for the state of Kansas, the local community transformed this building into Lane University, and after the school merged with another college, it became a museum, which it remains to this very day.
 

Territorial Democratic Headquarters (Lecompton) - This small stone building is also one of the oldest in Lecompton, and once served as the HQ for the Democratic Party in Kansas.

Bleeding Kansas Attractions

John Brown Museum State Historic Site (Osawatomie) - Come and see where John Brown conducted the majority of his abolitionist activities in Kansas. The Museum serves as a replica of the original John Brown Cabin that was initially built by his half-sister, Florella Adair, and her husband, Reverend Samuel Adair. John Brown lived here with his five sons during most of his time in Kansas.

Marais des Cygnes Massacre State Historic Site (Pleasanton) - This is the site where 11 freestaters were lined up to be executed by a proslavery militia. The incident left 5 fatally wounded, and shortly after the massacre took place, John Brown showed up to establish a small log fort in the area. This is a must-visit for those who want to learn more about the Bleeding Kansas era events that led to the American Civil War.
 

Black Jack Battlefield and Nature Park (Wellsville)- Visit what some say is the "birthplace of the Civil War." Black Jack Battlefield was the site where perhaps the first incident of proslavery and antislavery factions engaged in armed combat in Kansas. The battle was fairly small, and while no casualties were reported, John Brown and his men did manage to take a few dozen prisoners once the battle was over.

Watkins Museum of History (Lawrence) - The Watkins Museum of History is located in Downtown Lawrence, right in the heart of iconic Mass Street. This museum is not only dedicated to the history of Lawrence and Douglas County, but also contains a plethora of information about the days of Bleeding Kansas, Quantrill's Raid, and John Brown. 

Even though Kansas was a major setting for conflict in the years just before the American Civil War, neither side had the manpower nor the resources that were required to sustain a military campaign in Kansas. Additionally, Missouri's decision to remain one of the 'border states' that refused to join the Confederacy also allowed for both sides to concentrate their war efforts to the east and southeast of present-day Kansas. While Kansas might have been part of the relatively quiet  "Trans-Mississippi theater" of the American Civil War, there were a handful of battles that took place in the state.
 

Civil War Battlesites in Kansas

Battle of Mine Creek (Pleasanton) - This is the site of the largest Civil War battle fought in Kansas. The Battle of Mine Creek was also one of the largest battles fought between mounted cavalry during the entire American Civil War. This is a must-visit for those who enjoy learning about military history.
 

Battle of Marais des Cygnes (Pleasanton) - Also known as the Battle of Trading Post, this battle was fought around the same time as the Battle of Mine Creek, but resulted in much fewer casualties. This area around the battlefield is now preserved as the Marais des Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge and is well known for its beautiful scenery.
 

Battle of Baxter Springs (Baxter Springs) - Located at present-day Fort Blair, this battle is also referred to as the Baxter Springs Massacre. The confederates were led by William Quantrill, the same man who spearheaded a raid on Lawrence in 1863.

After the Civil War ended, the American Wild West entered its very own golden age. This new era also put Kansas at the forefront of the Cowboy Culture for many years. Not only can you visit sites dedicated to the historic Chisholm Trail and infamous Dalton Gang, but you can also relive the days of the Old West at fun places like Old Cowtown Museum in Wichita and the Boot Hill Museum in Dodge City. 

Wild West Museums

Boot Hill Museum (Dodge City) - Boot Hill Museum is much more than just a recreation of Dodge City's historic front street; it's also home to more than 60,000 historical artifacts and documents from the days of the Wild West. It's also home to the Kansas Cowboy HOF.
 

Old Cowtown Museum (Wichita) - The Old Cowtown Museum perfects the art of living history as it takes you through the early days of Wichita. Learn all about how the largest city in Kansas once started as one of the wildest cowtowns in the West.
 

Chisholm Trail Museum (Wellington) - Enjoy this museum's variety of artifacts on display as you can get a glimpse into what life was like for many of the cattle drivers that once served as the backbone to the early economy of Kansas.
 

Dalton Gang Hideout Museum (Meade) - Visit the home or "hideout" where Eva Dalton, sister of the infamous Dalton Gang brothers, supposedly helped her family evade law enforcement. 

Dalton Defenders Museum (Coffeyville) - See where the Dalton Gang tried to rob two banks at the same time in 1892 on Coffeyville's historic downtown plaza.

Kansas played a significant role during the transformational years of the 20th century. Believe it or not, some of the most influential individuals from this era were from Kansas.
 

Dwight D. Eisenhower

Perhaps the most accomplished Kansan in history, those who admire former President and 5-Star General Dwight D. Eisenhower are sure to enjoy visiting his hometown of Abilene, where you can find his Presidential Library, Museum, and Boyhood home.
 

Civil Rights Movement

For those who remember the significance of the Brown v. Board decision, be sure to stop by the Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park to learn more about how Kansas helped accelerate the end of school segregation.
 

Amelia Earhart

Amelia Earhart is a beloved icon in Kansas who helped pioneer the aviation industry. You can now find two museums in Kansas dedicated to her legacy. The newest museum is the Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum, which opened just a few years ago. The other museum you can visit is her birthplace home. Both museums are located in her hometown of Atchison.

History is still being made in Kansas with each passing day. If you want to learn more about all of the historic places you can visit in Kansas, visit our page dedicated to history in the state.