Samples of Life in Pre-Kansas Era: Prehistory and Native Americans

For many millennia, Native Americans inhabited the Great Plains of North America. From the 16th century to 18th century, the Kingdom of France claimed ownership of large parts of North America.

In 1803, most of the land for modern day Kansas was acquired by the United States from France at 2.83 cents per acre as part of the 828,000 square mile Louisiana Purchase. In 1848 (after the Mexican-American War), the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo with Spain brought into the United States all or part of the land for ten future states, including southwest Kansas. In 1854, the Kansas Territory was organized.  Kansas became the 34th state of the United States in 1861.

Through on-line exhibits, a series of slideshows gives short stories about Harvey County and its cities. Check the website regularly to discover the addition of new on-line slideshows in this series on Harvey County, Kansas.

For even more stories of Harvey County’s people and businesses, check out our blog, “Voices of Harvey County” on the About Us tab.

Click anywhere on the first image below to scroll through Unit 1 — Samples of Life in pre-Kansas Era: Prehistory and Native Americans.