About a half decade ago, I met with the Kaw on the hill where the monument to an unnamed Indian sits.
Their idea was intriguing-- to turn their former home into a historic place -- a learning center and nature trail that could be a potential draw for the Council Grove area.
It's here the Kaw Indians lived for more than 25 years, as well as a vice president. The monument is visible from the paved county road - sitting high on a hill in the middle of a stretch of tallgrass prairie that waves with the stiff Kansas breeze.
Council Grove already is deep in Native American history. Each year, they have a festival honoring the last Kaw Indian chief. A trail and heritage park on an old reservation would just add to the town's story.
About a year later, I attended their ceremony, dedicating the Allegawaho Heritage Memorial Park and the future site of the Kanza Heritage Trail.
I hadn't been back since until I went for a one-tank trip. I figured it would be more developed, but to my surprise, not much had changed.
There were no signs leading to the site. I found it easily, although I stopped at the gas station to see which road to take, and then had to look for the monument, which sticks out fairly well on the hill.
Pulling up to it, you might think you are going to wander on private property. And there isn't much parking. I recommend parking at the stone house then walking down the dirt road to the entrance.
I didn't walk far on the trail, although I'd like to go back and do so someday. Storm clouds darkened the sky. For some reason, I feared being alone, and being bit by a snake hiding under one of those flint rocks.
And no cars drove by this patch of Flint Hills. I was in the middle of nowhere.
Still, it is a good trip. I recommend taking a walk along the Kanza Heritage Trail, past the monument, ruins of huts and a reconstructed earth lodge.
Their idea was intriguing-- to turn their former home into a historic place -- a learning center and nature trail that could be a potential draw for the Council Grove area.
It's here the Kaw Indians lived for more than 25 years, as well as a vice president. The monument is visible from the paved county road - sitting high on a hill in the middle of a stretch of tallgrass prairie that waves with the stiff Kansas breeze.
Council Grove already is deep in Native American history. Each year, they have a festival honoring the last Kaw Indian chief. A trail and heritage park on an old reservation would just add to the town's story.
About a year later, I attended their ceremony, dedicating the Allegawaho Heritage Memorial Park and the future site of the Kanza Heritage Trail.
I hadn't been back since until I went for a one-tank trip. I figured it would be more developed, but to my surprise, not much had changed.
There were no signs leading to the site. I found it easily, although I stopped at the gas station to see which road to take, and then had to look for the monument, which sticks out fairly well on the hill.
Pulling up to it, you might think you are going to wander on private property. And there isn't much parking. I recommend parking at the stone house then walking down the dirt road to the entrance.
I didn't walk far on the trail, although I'd like to go back and do so someday. Storm clouds darkened the sky. For some reason, I feared being alone, and being bit by a snake hiding under one of those flint rocks.
And no cars drove by this patch of Flint Hills. I was in the middle of nowhere.
Still, it is a good trip. I recommend taking a walk along the Kanza Heritage Trail, past the monument, ruins of huts and a reconstructed earth lodge.
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