Few stop to ask how the boundaries evolved, when in fact some surprising stories surround this topic.
Tag: Native Americans
Broad-Leaf Wood-Oats
Broad-leaf wood-oats (Chasmanthium latifolium) is a very unique plant that goes by many names: Spangle grass. Indian wood-oats. Wild oats. River oats. Northern sea oats. Inland sea oats. The spikelets are the most distinctive feature, being flat, broadly oblong, and about 1/2 inch to 1-1/2 inch long and 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch wide. These… Continue reading Broad-Leaf Wood-Oats
How Plains Tribes Predicted the Weather
Native Americans were in a prime position to observe the weather and learn the sequences that precede and follow each system.
Kansas Forts and Bases
Not all of us can readily absorb military history without getting bogged down in the technicalities. Thankfully, Kansas Forts and Bases: Sentinels on the Prairie by Debra Goodrich Bisel and Michelle M. Martin is supremely readable, providing an era-by-era overview of Kansas forts as reflective of the broader picture of Kansas history overall.
Sand Dropseed
This unique seed-throwing grass plays an important role in rebuilding damaged shortgrass prairie.
Silver Bluestem
Attractive ornamental or pesky pasture invader? Silver bluestem excels in both roles.
Little Bluestem
Its wide distribution and importance to the prairie ecosystem have made little bluestem the state grass of Kansas.
Big Bluestem
Big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) is one of the most iconic plants of the tallgrass prairie. Its sturdy, upright stems are usually covered with a blue, waxy coating, giving it its name. These stems grow in clumps and vary dramatically in height depending on the environment. Big bluestem can be a modest three feet tall, but… Continue reading Big Bluestem
Kansas Historical Markers
Over 120 historical markers dot the Kansas landscape, telling the story of our fascinating state. If you are looking for the Kansas historical markers, the Kansas Historical Society offers a complete listing organized by county. Each entry provides the full text of the marker, along with its address and GPS coordinates. As you visit the… Continue reading Kansas Historical Markers
El Cuartelejo: Rediscovery
Archaeologists have determined that the ultimate cause of El Cuartelejo’s demise was fire, as testified by the remains of charred posts and corn seeds. The Comanches who later took up residence near the pueblo had a legend that the ruins were struck by lightning. In any case, for the next hundred years, the walls slowly… Continue reading El Cuartelejo: Rediscovery
