Location:
Rice County
US 56 to KS14, south past American Road, .4 mile on the west side of the highway
Lyons, Kansas
Historical Significance:
After Mexico gained its independence from Spain, the Santa Fe Trail, established in 1821, became a vital commercial route to the western territories of the United States. This trail began in Missouri and passed through Kansas, Oklahoma, and Colorado terminating in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The trail was used by traders and settlers and was instrumental in opening these states for settlement. In 1846 during the Mexican American War, it was the route used by the military to invade Mexico. It became a well-established supply route for the military to their western outposts.
Lyons (42) marker was placed by the Sterling Chapter and is one of 89 red granite Santa Fe Trail markers placed by Kansas DAR between 1906 and 1914, surveyed in 2007, and restored by 2010 with funding provided by Kansas DAR chapters. This marker is often mistaken to be the first marker on the Santa Fe Trail, it isn't. The marker at Burlingame (18), Kansas, was the first one placed on the Santa Fe Trail. This was a special Marker placed by the Sterling Chapter of the DAR, the Citizens, and Clubs of Rice County. It was redone and landscaped in the year of the 175th Anniversary of the Santa Fe Trail. Also noteworthy is Pawnee Rock Monument (51a) at the Pawnee Rock (51) landmark on the trail. It was the halfway point between Missouri and Santa Fe. The DAR placed a bronze plaque to commemorate all travelers who stopped to use the Rock as a lookout point or to inscribe their names on the Rock. A Battle fought and won by the Pawnee Indians gave the Rock its name. The DAR helped to raise funds to prevent the Rock from being quarried. The formal dedication was held in 1912.
In commemoration of the 200th Anniversary of the Santa Fe Trail, Kansas Daughters added the markers to the NSDAR Historic Sites and Properties database. More than half of the 800-mile trail passes through Kansas. Many local history sites can be found along the trail as more than half the length of the trail lies in Kansas, passing through 21 of the 105 counties. A helpful link to the markers, county by county, is: https://www.santafetrailresearch.com/research/dar-marker-location-ks.ht….
- Additional 8 markers to the west (see additional images):
- (43) Cow Creek Crossing – US 56 to 12th Road, south 1 mile on the west side of the road
- (44) Plum Buttes – US 56 to 2nd Road, north 1 mile to Ave L, on the northeast corner
- (46) Chase – US 56 to 8th Road, south 1 mile on the west side of the road
- (48) Tombstone Park – 38 21’ 43” N 98 45’ 04”
- (49) Great Bend – 38 21’ 55” N 98 45’ 53” W
- (50) Pawnee Rock – 38 16’ 18” N 98 58’ 52” W
- (51) Pawnee Rock with DAR Plaque – 38 16’ 19” N 98 58’ 54” W
- (51a) Pawnee Rock Monument – 38 16’ 20” N 98 58’ 59” W
- (52) Ash Creek Crossing – 38° 13' 12" 99° 2' 24" W
Historical Designations:
- National: National Register of Historic Places
- State/County: State Historical Commission
Historical Marker:
- Marker Date: 1906
- State of Marker Organization: Kansas
- Marker Organization: Daughters of the American Revolution and the State of Kansas
- Marker Text:
SANTA FE TRAIL
1822-1872
MARKED BY THE
DAUGHTERS OF THE
AMERICAN REVOLUTION
AND THE
STATE OF KANSAS
1906
Funding:
Between 1906 and 1914, Kansas DAR erected 89 Official Santa Fe Trail markers, made of red granite, at a cost of $16 each. KSDAR surveyed those 89 markers in 2007 and determined 95% needed restoration. So they were awarded a Challenge Cost Share grant from the National Park Service and contracted with stone conservators, Suhor Industries to do the restoration at an average cost of $300 per stone. Kansas chapters “adopted” a stone or two each to pay for the cost.
Physical Condition:
- Property: Preserve
Tourism:
- Open to the Public - Yes
- Family Friendly - Yes
Promotional Materials Available:
- Brochures: Yes
Acknowledgement (What are the Daughters doing with the property today?):
As all 89 markers were surveyed, beginning in 2007, and restored by 2010. DAR chapters are being asked to notify the Kansas State Historic Preservation Committee chair if they are aware of any repairs needed.