US-56 Baldwin City Roadside Park Photos

A view of the Baldwin City Roadside Park, showing the gravel loop road, the replica log cabin, and the shaded grassy area for picnicking or camping.

This is the historical marker at the Baldwin City Roadside Park, which tells the story of the Battle of Black Jack, which took place here in 1856, and which is considered by many to have been the first battle of the American Civil War.

These markers have been placed at the Baldwin City Roadside Park. The stone marker was placed, in 1906, by the Daughters of the American Revolution to mark the Santa Fe Trail. The green sign was erected in 1984, and explains the history of Black Jack Park.

At the southern edge of the Baldwin City Roadside Park is a footbridge and nature trail leading to the Ivan Boyd Prairie Preserve, which contains native, virgin tallgrass prairie, along with some well-preserved ruts from the old Santa Fe Trail.

Just south of the Baldwin City Roadside Park is the Ivan Boyd Prairie Preserve, which contains some well-preserved ruts from the old Santa Fe Trail. They're difficult to see from the road, but if you takes the nature trail from the park, they are readily apparent.

Just south of the Baldwin City Roadside Park is the Robert Hall Pearson Battle of Black Jack Memorial Park, which commemorates what many consider to have been the first battle of the American Civil War. The park has picnic tables, but no other amenities, and does not allow camping.