Alcove Springs
National Register of Historic Places

Alcove Springs

Blue Rapids, Marshall County, Kansas
Listed
February 23, 1972
Type
Site
Period
Early Republic
Ref No.
72000513

About this property

Alcove Springs was a popular stop along the Oregon Trail near Independence Crossing in Marshall County, Kansas. Travelers along the trail gave the springs its name. The words "Alcove Springs," carved into the hard limestone cliff by the Donner Party, can still be seen, although some of the carving has weathered away. It is located about four miles north of Blue Rapids, along the Big Blue River. Across the road from the Alcove Springs park is another park commemorating the Oregon Trail and features history, wagon swales and a D.A.R. marker memorializing Sarah Keyes, a member of the Donner Party who died in 1846. The exact location of her burial is unknown. Alcove Springs was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.

Location

Blue Rapids, Marshall County, Kansas
39.74898, -96.67660

Categories

EXPLORATION/SETTLEMENT
Sources

Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).

Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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Overview
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The Land
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Geology
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LiDAR Terrain
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Conflict & War
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The Civil War
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The Soldiers
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Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
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Rivers & Rail
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Notable People
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Historical Maps
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Finds & Access
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Nearby Historic Sites

Alcove Spring (Boundary Increase)
Early Republic
0.4 mi
Blue Rapids Library
Industrial
4.7 mi
Powell, Samuel, House
Industrial
5.1 mi
Waterville Opera House
Industrial
5.5 mi
Weaver Hotel
Industrial
5.5 mi

Questions about this property

When was Alcove Springs listed on the National Register?

Alcove Springs was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on February 23, 1972.

What type of historic resource is Alcove Springs?

Alcove Springs is classified as a site in the National Register of Historic Places.

What is the period of significance for Alcove Springs?

The period of significance for Alcove Springs is recorded as the early_republic era, specifically around 1846.

Can I research the history near Alcove Springs?

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