National Register of Historic Places

Lane University

Lecompton, Douglas County, Kansas
Listed
March 23, 1971
Type
Building
Period
Industrial
Ref No.
71000313

About this property

Lane University was a college located in Lecompton, Kansas, United States. It was founded in 1865 by Rev. Solomon Weaver, the first president, and was named after U.S. Senator James H. Lane. Jim Lane was a main free-state leader, and Lecompton was previously the capital of the opposing pro-slavery faction. Local tradition notes that a funding drive to construct the university promised to name it after the major contributor. Allegedly, James H. Lane made the largest pledge, received the namesake honor, and then died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound before he could carry out his promise. The university was first located in what had been the Rowena Hotel. In 1865 the state donated to the university 13 acres of land that included the foundation of what had been intended to be the Kansas Territorial Capitol building at Lecompton. A college building was erected on the south half of the old foundation in 1882. The Church of the United Brethren in Christ owned and controlled the school during its entire history. Almost all of the presidents were pastors. In 1900 it had 11 faculty members and 178 enrolled students. In 1902 Lane University was united with Campbell University to form Campbell College (Kansas). It closed in 1933. David Eisenhower and Ida Stover, the parents of former president Dwight D. Eisenhower, met at Lane University as students and married in the chapel in 1885. Today Lane University is a museum known as the Territorial Capital Museum, dedicated to Kansas history before the Civil War. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Lane University is not to be confused with Lane College in Jackson, Tennessee.

Location

Lecompton, Douglas County, Kansas
39.04499, -95.39165

Categories

EDUCATION
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
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
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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Literature
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Nearby Historic Sites

Constitution Hall
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0.2 mi
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5.4 mi
Sunnyside School
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Vermilya-Boener House
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8.2 mi

Nearby Battles

Quantrill's Raid on Lawrence Kansas
1863Civil War
9.8 mi

Questions about this property

When was Lane University listed on the National Register?

Lane University was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on March 23, 1971.

What type of historic resource is Lane University?

Lane University is classified as a building in the National Register of Historic Places.

What is the period of significance for Lane University?

The period of significance for Lane University is recorded as the industrial era.

Can I research the history near Lane University?

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