Lecompton Kansas – Round One

Visited on: Tuesday, October 24, 2023
Cost: Free

As it was time to hit the road, I knew there were a few sites a little bit to the west of Lawrence that I wanted to see, including the first territorial capital of Kansas. Unfortunately, I managed to show up on a day when everything was closed.

I have absolutely no doubt that I will make it back to check out this fascinating site that had a massive historical impact on the United States and is part of the story of how the state of Kansas became a free state just before the Civil War.

Kansas historical marker titled "Lecompton Capital of Kansas Territory" with text about its founding, constitutional convention, and legislative history. A pavilion and trees are in the background.
Historical plaque detailing events at Constitution Hall in 1857, discussing Kansas Territory settlement, free-state settlers, and the Lecompton Constitutional Convention.
Plaque detailing historical events and uses of Constitution Hall with an illustration of the building, drawn by Henry Worrall in 1877.
Stone marker for Lecompton Constitution Hall, designated a National Historic Landmark in 1975 by the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
A two-story stone building with tall windows, three flags in the front, and a small garden. Overcast sky in the background.

It’s been a little bit of time just walking around Lecompton, snapping a few pictures, and wishing my timing would’ve been a little bit better.

Signpost for the Radical United Brethren Church, 1906, in Lecompton, Kansas, mentioning its historical significance related to the Civil War and slavery.
Stone building with "Community Bldg" sign and rainbow roof section; nearby, a small metal tower stands beside a red-leaved tree.
Stone building labeled "Community Bldg" with a rainbow-painted roof section, surrounded by trees and a brick pathway.
A small stone building with a gable roof stands near a metal tower. The building and nearby trees are surrounded by a grassy field. A playground is visible to the left. Cloudy sky overhead.
Stone monument with a plaque stands on grassy ground, surrounded by trees and near a wooden pavilion. Plaque text is not fully visible.
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From: Kansas