A few miles west of historic Lawrence, Kansas sits a sleepy little town called Lecompton. Looking at this little burg that has very little commercial real-estate but several different historical landmarks, it is hard to imagine that the fate of the nation once rested on its shoulders.
History of Lecompton
Lecompton was one of many towns in Kansas before the territory became a State of the Union that was considered as a potential capital. Others included Fort Leavenworth, the first city of Kansas, Shawnee Mission, Pawnee (renamed Fort Riley), and all long before Topeka. Albert G. Boone, grandson of the famous Daniel Boone, was one of the founders of Lecompton and set out on expedition to find the perfect location for the capital. Sitting in one of the valleys, he is said to have seen many bald eagles flying overhead and named the new town, “Bald Eagle.”
Even to this day looking out over the Kaw/Kansas River by the 1854-1861 from the small stone Democratic Headquarters cabin near the railroad, visitors can see Bald Eagles circling and gliding in search of prey.
Lecompton, named after Samuel D. Lecompte, the chief justice of the territorial Supreme Court, resides among seven hills surrounding the lower valley. Many believed at the time that this was a fortuitous sign similar to the Seven Hills of Rome.
“Bleeding Kansas” and Civil War
Lecompton was extremely well-known throughout the country through 1855 to 1859 and as being the birth place of the Civil War. The name was considered repugnant spoken in such memorable sites as London, Paris and Berlin.
The Kansas-Nebraska Act allowed the new western states to be able to vote on the hot controversial topic of slavery. Unfortunately, this opened up the field for the “Bleeding Kansas” raids, illegal border voting and many other horrific acts. Settlers from both north and south poured into the territory, and Lecompton, alone, was said to have more than five thousand residents at one time.
The name “Lecompton” was a battle cry across the territory and across the nation. During the presidential debate of Abraham Lincoln-Stephen Douglas in the late 1850s, the name came up so frequently, at least 51 times, in censure that it was abhorrent for anyone to consider the town to be chosen as the state’s capital. Instead this honor was granted to Topeka, several miles further west.
Lecompton Constitution and Constitution Hall
Constitution Hall State Historic Site, located at 319 Elmore Street and still standing, is a wooden, two-story, white-frame structure. This became the most prominent building in territorial Kansas, and in 1857, delegates jam-packed into the upper floor of the building to pen the Lecompton Constitution.
This authorized the state of Kansas as a slave state and nearly buckled the nation. Its affect of this practically collapsed Congress and tore the national Democratic Party in two which incidentally advanced Abraham Lincoln, a Republican, into the presidency.
Unfortunately, this also pushed the country faster into a major Civil War.
Nevertheless, the Lecompton Constitution was under suspicion for fraudulent voting from Missouri influences immediately upon its completion. Today at the historic Constitution Hall State Historic Site, visitors are able to view Photostat copies of this contentious document that nearly broke the nation. They can stand on the carefully preserved floor where heated arguments regarding the fate of the state, and ultimately the nation, were teetering on the brink.
Territorial Capital Museum
Beginning in 1856, construction began on a stone building in Lecompton as the state’s capital building. This now serves as the Territorial Capital Museum at 640 E. Woodson Avenue. Original large stairs built from limestone lead up to the wooden door. The structure which was initially designed for tall, round columns reaching to the top floors, was built of mortar and limestone.
In the Territorial Museum, visitors will find the location where the late President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s parents, whose family immigrated to Lecompton during the 1850s, exchanged their matrimonial vows in 1885. The museum is also filled with historic memorabilia and mementoes of the controversial time.
Upstairs is a large auditorium with an 1857 melodeon that was played during the Kansas’ territorial period. The Seal of the Kansas Territory, erected May 30, 1854 proudly rests on the wall overlooking the hall.
In 1982, one hundred years after the final construction, the building was dedicated as a museum and to be preserved from demolition. In this building, visitors can step back in time. They are able to see the numerous bullets that have been found in the ground and lodged in the trees in and around Lecompton from the Civil War period, see one of the delegates’ desk and chair from Constitution Hall, and view pictures of the Eisenhower nuptials and other early settlers.
Christmas in Lecompton
During the Christmas season, Lecompton holds a beautiful annual Christmas Vespers service. All three floors of the museum are lavishly decorated for Christmas. A large elegantly decorated tree sits in the auditorium.
People from all around gather to hear masterful choirs from local churches and schools sing joyous Christmas carols to the Highest. Their voices echo off the rafters and proclaim peace on earth where a little over 150 years before, thousands bellowed for war along the streets in the township. At the end of the service, one and all take part by singing “Silent Night” accompanied by the 1857 melodeon.
Visiting Lecompton
Perchance it is out of the ordinary to walk these quiet streets today and visualize the fiery arguments raging and fraudulent voting on the slavery issue that took place on corners, the crowds of settlers, wagons, and horses that swarmed over the small area. Nevertheless, as quiet and calm as this area seems, when visiting Lecompton, guests know they are visiting one of the most memorable towns in our country’s history that not only was an influence on the state of Kansas but the entire foundation of our nation.
Memorable places to visit in Lecompton
Constitution Hall State Historic Site
Resources
Historic Lecompton - birthplace of the civil war
