This statue honors the Native American Kaw or Kansa Tribe. Together with the Madonna of the Trail, these two statues symbolize the true story of the West. This bronze statue was created by Council Grove artist Mark Sampsel and was authrorized by Kaw Nation of Oklahoma.
Address: Guardian of the Grove Statue
Come visit us in Council Grove, Kansas
Legend has it that while patrolling the Santa Fe Trail with his famous 7th Cavalry Regiment, George Armstrong Custer camped under the huge elm that flourished at this site. The massive trunk is all that remains of this tree that measured more than 100 feet tall and 16 feet around. Custer bought 120
Council Grove, KS LandmarksThe Kaw (or Kansa) Indians lived in three villages southeast of Council Grove from 1848 until their removal south to Indian Territory in 1873. Methodist Episcopal missionaries built this school for Kaw children in 1851
Council Grove, KS MuseumsThis 300-year-old bur oak (just the trunk remains) served as the unofficial post office for travelers on the Santa Fe Trail from 1825-1847. Passing caravans could leave messages for future travelers in a cache in the base of the tree. A stone building erected in 1864
Council Grove, KS LandmarksThe Brown Center on the Cowley College campus houses the Earle Wright Gallery. The campus itself is worth visiting just to se...
There's some interesting stonework in the buildings in the park just south of downtown. ...
Thanks to the efforts of the Smithsonian Institute our Post Office Lobby provides an opportunity to view one of the remaining...