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Osawatomie, Kansas

"Cradle of the Civil War"

Our 4,500 residents are eager to share their attractions, history and special events during your visit.

Located in eastern Kansas, off Highway 169, Osawatomie combines agriculture and commerce in a small town setting with blue Kansas skies, clear air, and lush green grass and trees.

Our name, "Osawatomie", reflects our Native American beginnings. It was chosen to combine the names of the Osage and Potawatomi tribes that moved into this area from Missouri in 1827. In 1837, the Potawatomi Methodist Mission was established upon the site of our future town. The mission was abandoned in 1848.

Osawatomie was founded in 1854 and settled by free-state families from the Ohio Valley and New England. The Adair Cabin, Old Stone Church and First Land Office reflect those early years. The Osawatomie State Hospital has been a leader in mental health in Kansas and the nation since 1864.

Our past is present today as you tour our city and visit with staff at the Adair Cabin, First Land Office and Osawatomie History Museum.

During your stay, share in our history and take time to see and enjoy our tree-lined streets, Victorian homes, ornamental street lights, timeless bridges and friendly merchants-- all the pleasures of small town living.

Attractions and Upcoming Events

John Brown Memorial Park

The twenty acre John Brown Memorial Park is a National Historic Site donated to the State of Kansas by the Womens Relief Corps to preserve the site of the Battle of Osawatomie, August 30, 1856

Osawatomie, KS Memorials

First Land Office

This land office building was built in 1854 and was used by the first mayor of Osawatomie, H. B. Smith, and his brother who were the first land patent agents in the territory. It was deeded to the city in 1954 by A. W. Youngberg as a memorial to his wife.

Osawatomie, KS Pioneer Life

Asylum Bridge

The Asylum Bridge which crosses the Marais des Cygnes River at First Street, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was built during a three month period--October thru December, 1905, by the Kansas City Bridge Company, Kansas City, Mo. Its bid of $4,800

Osawatomie, KS Historic Bridges

The Mills House

William M. Mills, an oilman from Pennsylvania, drilled over 400 oil and gas wells in his lifetime. He drilled the Norman #1

Osawatomie, KS Historic Homes

Adair Cabin State Historic Site and Museum

The territorial log cabin, which now houses the John Brown Museum, was built in 1854 as the home of Reverend Samuel L. and Florella (John Brown's half sister) Adair. The home was frequented by Brown during his several journeys to Kansas between 1855 and 1858. The Adairs shared John Brown'

Osawatomie, KS Museums

Things to do near Osawatomie, KS

Whittaker Flower Farm

Historic Lackman-Thompson Estate

Shawnee Town 1929

First Land Office

Powell Observatory