Kansas, Logan County, Oakley
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For over 300 years -- from 1541 to 1853 -- the role of the military in Kansas was one of discovery.
The first Europeans in what is now Kansas were Spanish soldiers led in 1541 by Francisco Vasquez de Coronado. They failed to find cities of gold, but Coronado recognized the richness of the prairie soil and claimed the country for Spain. The French established a claim through the expedition in 1724 of Etienne Veniard de Bourgmont.
The first American exploring party was commanded by Lt. Zebulon Montgomery Pike in 1806. Kansas was part of the newly-acquired Louisiana Purchase. In 1819 the first scientific survey of Kansas was led by Maj. Stephen H. Long. Neither Pike nor Long saw any agricultural value to the Kansas plains. The Kansas plains were commonly referred to as the Great American Desert during this time period.
The first exploration of the Smoky Hill River basin as a means of travel was conducted by John C. Freemont [sic] during the 1840's. The route he explored later became established as the Smoky Hill Trail.
The final exploration, in 1853 was conducted by Capt. J.W. Gunnison of the army's topographical engineers who may have stood right on this spot. He led one of the five government expeditions searching for the best transcontinental railroad route. The path he surveyed here later became the Kansas-Pacific Railway.
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Natural Habitat
Western Kansas is mostly short-grass prairie habitat. The plant life is dominated by blue grama and buffalo grass, but there is a wide variety of wild flowers and shrubs. The prairie was once grazed by herds of buffalo, elk, and pronghorn antelope. It is ideal pasturage for cattle and horses. The short-grass prairie ecosystem supports just as rich a diversity of small animal life: snakes, toads, insects and spiders; eagles, burrowing owls, and other birds; foxes and coyotes; and, of course, villages of prairie dogs.
(Environment • Exploration) Includes location, directions, 2 photos, GPS coordinates, map.
For over 300 years -- from 1541 to 1853 -- the role of the military in Kansas was one of discovery.
The first Europeans in what is now Kansas were Spanish soldiers led in 1541 by Francisco Vasquez de Coronado. They failed to find cities of gold, but Coronado recognized the richness of the prairie soil and claimed the country for Spain. The French established a claim through the expedition in 1724 of Etienne Veniard de Bourgmont.
The first American exploring party was commanded by Lt. Zebulon Montgomery Pike in 1806. Kansas was part of the newly-acquired Louisiana Purchase. In 1819 the first scientific survey of Kansas was led by Maj. Stephen H. Long. Neither Pike nor Long saw any agricultural value to the Kansas plains. The Kansas plains were commonly referred to as the Great American Desert during this time period.
The first exploration of the Smoky Hill River basin as a means of travel was conducted by John C. Freemont [sic] during the 1840's. The route he explored later became established as the Smoky Hill Trail.
The final exploration, in 1853 was conducted by Capt. J.W. Gunnison of the army's topographical engineers who may have stood right on this spot. He led one of the five government expeditions searching for the best transcontinental railroad route. The path he surveyed here later became the Kansas-Pacific Railway.
———————
Natural Habitat
Western Kansas is mostly short-grass prairie habitat. The plant life is dominated by blue grama and buffalo grass, but there is a wide variety of wild flowers and shrubs. The prairie was once grazed by herds of buffalo, elk, and pronghorn antelope. It is ideal pasturage for cattle and horses. The short-grass prairie ecosystem supports just as rich a diversity of small animal life: snakes, toads, insects and spiders; eagles, burrowing owls, and other birds; foxes and coyotes; and, of course, villages of prairie dogs.
(Environment • Exploration) Includes location, directions, 2 photos, GPS coordinates, map.
Built in 1860, second oldest building in California used continuously for school purposes. Cost four thousand dollars for two rooms as at present. Called "Pine Grove College" by pupils. J.A. Smith, Calaveras County Superior Court judge for 37 years, began teaching career here in 1904. Dr. Albert Michelson, Nobel Prize winner in physics, is the most famous pupil. Wm.L. Redding taught longest here, 32 years.
Buena Vista Cemetery's oldest grave marker, for a six year old boy, has the date of death of June 26, 1855. Older graves may exist that have no markers on them. Buena Vista is the earliest official burial location in Murphys. In 1930, Buena Vista Cemetery was voted as a public cemetery district maintained by property taxes of the district and is run by a board of trustees appointed by the County Board of Supervisors. Many veterans with at least sixteen of them being Civil War veterans call this their final resting place, as well as several Native American families. Grave plots were free to district families until 1967. In 2010, the cemetery became an endowment cemetery meaning that of each plot sold, $4.50 per square foot of plot would go towards the maintenance of the cemetery and when there are no more plots, the cemetery must be closed.
This villa was completed in 1835 for Allan Napier MacNab. Incorporating an existing farmhouse, it was designed by the local architect, Robert Wetherell, as a statement of its owner's place in Hamilton society. The house features an eclectic blend of classical and Italianate motifs, French windows, broad verandahs and a panoramic view of Burlington Bay. With its outbuildings and grounds, Dundurn Castle stands as an important example of the Picturesque Movement in Canada. After years in private hands, the property was purchased by the city and from 1964 to 1967 restored to its former splendour.
This mansion was built 1832-35 by Allan Napier MacNab (1798-1862) and named after the family ancestral seat in Scotland. Enlisting at fifteen, MacNab distinguished himself by his bravery in the War of 1812. He subsequently entered politics and was noted for his support of the Family Compact. During the Rebellion of 1837 he was one of the government's most active military supporters and was knighted for his services. Leader of the Tory-Conservatives, MacNab was speaker of the Legislative Assembly on several occasions and Prime Minister of Canada 1854-56.
“Site of first flour mill in Ophir City now Oroville, built in 1858. Erected and dedicated by Argonaut Parlor No. 8 Native Sons and Gold of Ophir Parlor No. 190 Native Daughters as part of the Bicentennial Year Celebration 1776 – 1976”
In 1767, when our yet to be united nation felt the stirrings of revolution, freedom-loving colonists carved and erected the first “Liberty Pole”. It served as a rallying point for those who opposed the British imposed Stamp Act.
1856
These bricks are from the first Butte County Courthouse erected at this site, in Oroville, in 1856.
The Oregon School District was formed in 1856 and the schoolhouse stood near Dry Creek behind the old Pence Hotel. In 1872 the schoolhouse was relocated and rebuilt behind the existing corrals south of present day Durhan-Pentz Road. Following the relocation, the school district was renamed Messilla Valley. In 1879, the school was relocated to this site and operated until 1966. The building that once stood at this location was removed from this site in 1990. It was finally transported to its current location in Concow, California in 2002.
The Marysville Cemetery was founded in 1850 and is the final resting place for numerous personages of national, state and local historical significance.
Founded by the Marysville Hebrew Benevolent Society in 1853 to provide “...relief to the poor, needy, sick and the burial of the Jewish persuasion in Marysville and the vicinity.”
First city-owned cemetery
Politician, businessman, land speculator and soldier, Allan MacNab enjoyed a very public life. He was a successful lawyer and was appointed Upper Canada's first Queen's Counsel. In 1838 he was knighted for his role in suppressing the rebellion in Upper Canada. The profits from his extensive land speculation were fed into a variety of projects, including construction of his monument, Dundurn. He was influential in establishing the Gore Bank and in promoting the Great Western Railway. During a political career spanning three decades, he was three times Speaker and, from 1854 to 1856, Premier.
In Lasting Memory
This immediate area was the site of the first Middleton, settled shortly after Dane County was formed. Early settlers Harry Barnes and his father, Joe, were captains in the Civil War. Harry suggested that the area be called Middletown, after his home in Vermont. When the township was established in 1847 it was named Middleton.
Edgeworth Ussher, Esq.
The main emigrant trail leading from Virginia City to Marysville, California. Traveled by pioneers as early as 1849.
Built by N.O. Cornish to
