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Free Traveling Guides » States » Kansas » DestinationsKaw Mission State Historic Site
The Kansa Indians, also referred to as Kaw, are believed to be Siouan-speaking Native American Tribes who migrated to Doniphan County in Kansas since early 1600’s.
The Kaw Mission State Historic Site, located in Council Grove along the banks of Neosho River, is a two floor limestone structure built in 1851. Commencing operations as a Methodist Episcopal missionaries’ school to educate Kaw boys and eventually convert them into Christianity and the present culture, the school was run by Thomas Huffaker and his wife Eliza Huffaker. The students are said to have resided upstairs while the lower floors were used for classrooms and staff quarters. However the efforts of this missionary couple proved futile as the tribes distrusted the white men. Due to the increasing cultural conflicts the school subsequently had to be shut down in 1854 but the building till date is well preserved.
Presently managed by the Kansas State Historical Society, Kaw Mission State Historic Site is along the momentous Santa Fe Trail that passed this area in 1820. Tourists after surveying the Kaw Mission that hosts a range of artifacts and interpretive displays can go for a Riverwalk which brings out the history of this region.
The popular self-guided Council Grove Historical Tour commences at Kaw Mission State Historic Site and touches upon several prominent destinations such as The Old Bell Monument, The Hermit's Cave, Last Chance Store and the Post Office Oak.
- Address: 500 North Mission Street,
Council Grove, KS 66846-1433
- Telephone: (620) 767-5410
- Hours: Weds - Sat, 10 AM - 5 PM; Sun, 1 - 5 PM. Closed Monndays, Tuesdays, and holidays.
- Website: http://www.councilgrove.com/kaw_msn.htm
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