The Quindaro Ruins

 Quindaro, a town of the 1850′s was located on the most northern point of  what is now known as 27th street in  Kansas City, KS. Being a Kansas City, KS native, I had know idea of the history of the Quindaro Townsite. As an Elementary student I had always heard that it was a part of the Underground Railroad and that many slaves traveled through this area in order to reach freedom prior to the Civil War.

                           **” It was created to serve as a port-of-entry for the abolitionist forces of Kansas, linking

                                 it to the fight against slavery. It thrived as a key point in the abolitionist trade and

                                 transport network only as long as the free-state  status of Kansas was in question”

As a KU Student and Kansas City, Native I found it interesting that much of the research on the Quindaro Townsite was done by KU students and staff. The Article The Educational Value of Quindaro Townsite in the 21st Century was written by Dr.Micheal M. Swann who is currently the Associate Dean of the University of Kansas School of Architecture & Urban Design. This Article bring up the fact that Many Kansas City Natives are not aware of the history of the Quindaro Townsite because much of its History is Oral History. Not much of the townsite is left just the base of some stures as well as a few pieces of structures.

** Swann, Micheal,” The Educational Value of Quindaro Townsite in the 21st Century” National Park service, http://crm.cr.nps.gov/archive/21-4/21-4-11.pdf ( accessed June 18th,2008)

 

 

                                  

 

 

 

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