photo by: Chris Conde/Journal-World

A historical marker on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, at Black Jack Battlefield just east of Baldwin City.

The Civil War is said to have officially started at Fort Sumter in South Carolina in 1861, but Bleeding Kansas had been home to numerous antislavery battles well before that, including the Battle of Black Jack just outside of Baldwin City.

Some historians say Black Jack may have been the war’s first true battle when abolitionist John Brown and a group of men attacked pro-slavery agitators led by Henry Clay Pate on June 2, 1856. After a three-hour battle, Pate’s forces surrendered.

Now the site is home to 40 acres of wooded trails, prairie landscapes and historical markers for Douglas County residents to explore. Visitors can take a self-guided walking tour of the battle site; view the Pearson House, built in the 1880s; and enjoy miles of hiking.

The site sits along the Santa Fe Trail, and just a short hike from the battlefield visitors can see ruts carved into the ground from passing wagon trains. Another mile down the road sits Black Jack Cemetery, which is home to numerous 19th century gravestones.

photo by: Chris Conde/Journal-World

A decaying bridge along a trail on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, at Black Jack Battlefield just east of Baldwin City.

The battlefield’s future has been up in the air in the past year after the nonprofit that owns and cares for the land, Black Jack Battlefield Trust, ran into financial troubles when some large donations fell through, as the Journal-World reported.

But the Baldwin City Council voted earlier this month to ensure that the battlefield has a chance to continue to educate and entertain residents and history buffs.

The council voted on Nov. 5, during its regular meeting, to lease the property, and council members said that the city may eventually purchase the land outright. Baldwin City Mayor Casey Simoneau said at the meeting that the city would lease the land from the bank for 12 months at $1,500 per month and could at any time before the lease ends choose to purchase the land for what the Black Jack group owes the bank, about $257,000.

photo by: Chris Conde/Journal-World

An old barn and grain elevator on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, at Black Jack Battlefield just east of Baldwin City.

Baldwin City Council Member Cory Venable said that the council’s decision not only would preserve the site as an outdoor destination for people to enjoy but also would preserve the site’s historic status. He said the site is not currently protected as a historic site and if someone were to buy the land, the new owner would not be obligated to maintain it as a historic site.

Simoneau said that he planned to reach out to Kansas’ congressional delegation to start taking the steps to register the land as a federal park. He said that it would take a vote in Congress or a presidential order for the park to be protected federally.

Council Member Scott Lauridsen said that purchasing the property would be a good investment for the city overall because 40 acres of land near Baldwin City would cost much more than the $257,000 price tag that the battlefield group owes the bank. He said if the city can’t afford to maintain it as a park down the line, it would still be a net profit to sell it later.

photo by: Chris Conde/Journal-World

The Pearson House built in the 1880s on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, at Black Jack Battlefield just east of Baldwin City.

To reach the site, go 3 miles east of Baldwin City on U.S. Highway 56, then turn south on East 2000 Road. The site is well marked and has plenty of parking with a few handicapped-accessible spots. Overall, though, the site is not handicapped accessible since most of the site remains in its natural state; however, the hiking trails and loamy fields are relatively easy to traverse on foot.

Some of the trail markers are old and worn out but still easy enough to follow. Visitors can see the landmarks and take in the views in about an hour, but outdoor enthusiasts should plan for two to three hours to explore the network of trails. The site also hosts a reenactment each June of the famous Black Jack battle.

photo by: Chris Conde/Journal-World

The entrance to Black Jack Cemetery on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, just east of Baldwin City.

photo by: Chris Conde/Journal-World

A gravestone on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, at Black Jack Cemetery just east of Baldwin City.

A large gravestone for a toddler on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, at Black Jack Cemetery just east of Baldwin City.

photo by: Chris Conde/Journal-World

An old farm implement half buried in the ground along a hiking trail on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, at Black Jack Battlefield just east of Baldwin City.

photo by: Chris Conde/Journal-World

An old machine sitting inside of an barn on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, at Black Jack Battlefield just east of Baldwin City.

Overlooking part of the 1856 Black Jack Battlefield on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, just east of Baldwin City.

photo by: Chris Conde/Journal-World

The entrance to Black Jack Battlefield on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, just east of Baldwin City.

photo by: Chris Conde/Journal-World

Overlooking part of the 1856 Black Jack Battlefield on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, just east of Baldwin City.