Lecompton

Accessible via U.S. Highway 40 or Interstate 70. The city was originally called "Bald Eagle," but was later changed to Lecompton in honor of S.D. Lecompte, a federal judge in the territory.

As the population of Lecompton reached 4,000, settlers, politicians and land speculators dubbed it the "Wall Street of the West." There were seven four-horse drawn stages and express lines to Lecompton. As the town grew, so did the territorial conflict. The Battle of Fort Titus occurred in 1856. Charles Robinson, who was to be the first governor of Kansas, was imprisoned in Lecompton and tried for treason. A self-guided walking tour of Lecompton is available at the Territorial Capitol/Lane Museum, 640 E. Woodson Avenue, Lecompton.

Territorial Capital/Lane Museum

In 1856, a proposed capitol building was started in Lecompton. It was never completed for that purpose, since the capital was moved elsewhere. In 1865, the state deeded the unfinished building to the newly organized Lane University, a United Brethren Church school. The building was finally completed in 1882. President Eisenhower's parents were married in this building in 1885 while attending Lane University, which closed in 1902.

Today, the building is used as the Territorial Capital/Lane Museum. It is operated by The Lecompton Historical Society, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Open Wed.-Sat., 11 a.m.-4 p.m. / Sun., 1 p.m.-5 p.m.
Located at 640 E. Woodson Ave., Lecompton.
785-887-6148 or 785-887-6285
www.lecomptonkansas.com

Constitution Hall

Constitution Hall was the location of some of the most significant events in territorial Kansas' economic and political history. In 1855, Lecompton was designated the permanent and only official capital of Kansas Territory.

In 1857, delegates to the Lecompton Constitutional Convention met upstairs in Constitution Hall to write the famous Lecompton Constitution, which, if approved by the U.S. Congress, would have admitted Kansas to the Union as a slave state. The ensuing debate paralyzed Congress, splintered the national Democratic Party, catapulted Abraham Lincoln onto the political stage, further divided the Union and hastened the country toward Civil War. The Lecompton Constitution was ultimately rejected after three different Kansas elections.

Open Wed.-Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. / Sun., 1-5 p.m. Free admission.
Located at 319 Elmore St., Lecompton.
785-887-6520
Email: consthall@kshs.org
www.kshs.org