Kansas Trails & Rails

A series of monthly Readings, Conversations, & Interpretations facilitated by Leo E. Oliva, Ph.D. Sponsored by the Edwards County Historical Society and Kinsley Library with funding by the Kansas Humanities Council

Online Registration (Closed)

Join with other interested people to gain understanding of the various trails and railroads that traversed Kansas using a wide variety of resources including:

  • Conversation and discussion with Dr. Leo Oliva
  • Readings in scholarly articles, period letters, books & documents
  • Tours of Santa Fe Railroad Depot in Dodge City
  • Supplementary presentations by experts:
    • David Webb
    •  Juti Winchester, Ph.D.
    • Gary & Margaret Kraisinger

For questions call library at  620-659-3341 or EMAIL:  director@kinsleylibrary.info

This program is funded in part by the Kansas Humanities Council, a nonprofit cultural organization promoting understanding of the history, traditions, and ideas that shape our lives and build community.

SCHEDULE  SUNDAYS, 2-5 p.m.

($10 Registration fee to be paid at first meeting)

January 12, 2014 
City of Kinsley Meeting Room
721 Marsh Ave, Kinsley 

Kansas as Crossroads
      Presented by Leo E. Oliva, Ph.D.
 GROUP DISCUSSION The Road to Santa Fe
Presented by Leo E. Oliva, Ph.D.
 REFRESHMENTS: Edwards County Historical Society 

 READING:  (Click on resource for access)      

A Faithful Account of Everything:  Letters from
           Katie Bowen on the Santa Fe Trail, 1851
      Jack D. Rittenhouse, Trail of Commerce and
   Conquest: A Brief History of the Road to Santa Fe
         (Short booklet available from the library)

 WEB RESOURCES:

February 9, 2014
City of Kinsley Meeting Room
721 Marsh Ave, Kinsley

Overview of the Trails
      Presented by Leo E. Oliva, Ph.D.
 GROUP DISCUSSION
 GUEST SCHOLAR:
   Juti Winchester, Ph.D. Fort Hays State University
   Buffalo Bill Cody, Buffalo Hunting, and the Kansas Rails and Trail

 REFRESHMENTS: Friends of the Kinsley Library

READING:  (click on resource for access)
     The Pike’s Peak Gold Rush and the Smoky Hill Route
     Remember the Historic Smoky Hill Trail
     Pike’s Peak Express Companies, Part I
     Pike’s Peak Express Companies, Part II
     A Stage Ride to Colorado

 WEB RESOURCES:
     Pony Express
Bibliography of Supplemental Reading

March 9, 2014
Santa Fe Railroad Depot, Dodge City
101 E. Wyatt Earp, Dodge City

Early Kansas Railroads
Presented by Leo E. Oliva, Ph.D.
TOUR:   Santa Fr Railroad Depot
 GROUP DISCUSSION
 GUEST SCHOLAR:  
     David Webb, The Early Santa Fe Railroad

 REFRESHMENTS:

READING:  (Click on resource for access)
     The Building of the First Kansas Railroad
     The Birth of the AT&S Railroad, Part 1
     The Birth of the AT&S Railroad, Part 2
     The Fred  & Barbara Harvey House -Leavenworth

Bibliography of Supplemental Readings

April 6 2014
City of Kinsley Meeting Room
721 Marsh Ave, Kinsley

Cattle Trails and Cow Towns
     Presented by Leo E. Oliva, Ph.D.

 GROUP DISCUSSION
 GUEST SCHOLARS:
    Gary and Margaret Kraisinger, authors of:
       The Western:  The Greatest Texas Cattle Trail, 1874-1886

 REFRESHMENTS: Friends of the Kinsley Library

READING: 

    No short outside readings beyond looking at

    the websites listed below.

 WEB RESOURCES:
     Great Western Cattle Trail
     Cattle Trails and TV Program
     Kansas Cow Towns

 Bibliography of Supplemental Readings