National Register of Historic Places
Marais des Cygnes Massacre Site
Marais des Cygnes Massacre Site is a historic place in Trading Post, Linn County, Kansas, listed on the United States National Register of Historic Places on June 21, 1971, and designated a National Historic Landmark. Its National Register reference number is 71000317.
Location 01
Marais des Cygnes Massacre Site
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About this place
What is Marais des Cygnes Massacre Site?
The Marais des Cygnes massacre is considered the last significant act of violence in Bleeding Kansas prior to the outbreak of the American Civil War. On May 19, 1858, approximately 30 border ruffians led by Charles Hamilton, a Georgia native and proslavery leader, crossed into the Kansas Territory from Missouri. They arrived at Trading Post, Kansas, in the morning and then headed back to Missouri. Along the way, they captured 11 abolitionist Free-Staters, none of whom were armed and, it is said, none of whom had participated in the ongoing violence. Most of the men knew Hamilton and did not realize he meant them harm. These prisoners were led into a defile, where Hamilton ordered his men to shoot, firing the first and last bullet himself. Five men were killed and five severely wounded. Only one Free-Stater escaped injury.
Source: Wikipedia, text available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
The record
Listing details
- Name
- Marais des Cygnes Massacre Site
- City
- Trading Post
- County
- Linn County
- State
- Kansas
- Listed on the National Register
- June 21, 1971
- NRIS reference number
- 71000317
- Resource type
- site
- National Historic Landmark
- Yes
- Coordinates
- 38.28157, -94.62091
When was Marais des Cygnes Massacre Site listed on the National Register?
Marais des Cygnes Massacre Site was added to the National Register of Historic Places on June 21, 1971.
Where is Marais des Cygnes Massacre Site located?
Marais des Cygnes Massacre Site is located in Trading Post, Linn County, Kansas at approximately 38.28157, -94.62091. See the map above.
Is Marais des Cygnes Massacre Site a National Historic Landmark?
Yes. Marais des Cygnes Massacre Site is designated a National Historic Landmark, the highest federal recognition for a historic place.
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