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Lecompton was founded in 1854 and platted on a bluff on the south bank
of the Kansas River. It was originally called "Bald Eagle," but then
later changed to Lecompton in honor of Samuel D. Lecompte, the chief
justice of the territorial supreme court. In 1855, the town... read more
Located on the bank of the Kaw River, in between Topeka, the State
capital, and Lawerence, the abloitionist headquarters during Bleeding
Kansas, Lecompton was at the center of territorial and national politics
during the 1850's. For driving directions, click
here.
Information for Motor Coach operators.
The Bald Eagle is the quarterly publication of the Lecompton Historical Society. The publication includes in-depth articles about the major role Lecompton played as the capital of Kansas Territory and the significant impact it had in the coming United States Civil War. Also included are histories of surrounding communities, churches, schools, early settlers, local celebrations and other articles related to the Territorial Capital of Kansas.
View Bald Eagle archives.
Meet Kansas Territorial Characters
Informational Brochure
Newsletter
The original 1857 Lecompton Constitution will be on display at
Constitution Hall State Historic Site in Lecompton the weekend of
February 10 &11, 2007. Document display hours are: Saturday from 10-5
and Sunday 1-5. At 2 pm, Sunday, Feb. 11, Brian Matthew Jordan from
Gettysburg College will give a talk on the constitution titled: "The
Little Giant and Old Buck: Stephen A. Douglas, James Buchanan, the
Lecompton Constitution, and the Crisis of the American Republic" as part
of the "Bleeding Kansas '07" program series. There is no admission fee
to view the constitution or to attend the talk, but donations are
welcomed. Lecompton
Constitution -- LJWorld.com. CJOnline.
An informational PDF document regarding the Lecompton Constition is also available.
Be sure to vote for Constitution Hall in the 8 Wonders of Kansas Contest.
Fur Trade era Mountain Men lodge camps at Lecompton's scenic Bald Eagle
Riverview Park on the bluffs overlooking the Kaw River. September 26-28, 2008 Poster.
The Lecompton Historical Society, with funds generously provided by the
Wayne and Maybelle Slavens Hall Fund, has constructed a representation
of Henry Titus' cabin that sits 100 yards southeast of the Museum. It
was designed collectively by the Lecompton Historical Society's Board of
Directors. See the pictures.
Read about the efforts by the Lecompton Historical Society to prevent
the Camp Sackett site from becoming a mining quarry here.
On April 17, 2004, a funeral services were held for the Hunley Crew in
Charleston. Howard Duncan took several great pictures of the service
and the period clothing. They can be viewed online.
On April 17 & 18, 2004, Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farm in Olathe
hosted "Civil War on the Border." Over 2,800 spectators attended this
free, weekend festival and over 100 Civil War reenactors, territorial
civilian reenactors, period sutlers, pioneer skill demonstrators, and
musicians participated... read more
Lecompton was recently featured in a Slate Magazine
Article.
Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854. This document gave residents of Kansas
Territory the right to decide for themselves the issue of slavery in
Kansas, and started the controversy that would become the Civil War.
At the request of Governor Kathleen Sebelius, the Lecompton Reenactors
performed in the Kansas Statehouse on Kansas Day, January 29th, 2004.
Click here for a photo of the Lecompton
Reenactors in the governor's office.
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