Marais De Cygne Massacre Site Trail is a 1 mile lightly trafficked loop trail located near Pleasanton, Kansas and is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for hiking and walking and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
Marais De Cygne Massacre site trail is a walking tour of a Civil War event where on May 19, 1858, proslavery men killed five free-state men and wounded five others in a ravine that is now listed as a National Historic Landmark. The massacre, which followed earlier guerrilla warfare activities, on both sides, shocked the nation and became a pivotal event in the "Bleeding Kansas" era. A few months later, abolitionist John Brown came to the site and constructed a fortified cabin. Walk the grounds of this sites and learn more about the tensions during the era of territorial Kansas.
Picnic grounds, historic markers, historic home
Contact the site administrator 913-352-8890 kshs.minecreek@ks.gov
Located four miles northeast of Trading Post via K 52 East 26426 E 1700th Rd Pleasanton KS 66075
This may be a driving tour or walk/hike if you park at the beginning of the park. This site is a few miles down a dirt road but well worth the drive for the history. Thanks to whoever logged this trail in to AllTrails as I wasn’t expecting to find this historic gem when I drove out there.