Historic Lecompton

Visit Historic Lecompton -- "Birthplace of the Civil War, Where Slavery Began to Die." Lecompton -- located one hour west of Kansas City, just off I-70 -- was the official Territorial Capital of Kansas from 1855 to 1861. Nine Kansas territorial governors called Lecompton home. A tour includes a visit to Constitution Hall -- a National Landmark, Kansas Historic Site and Finalist for the 8 Wonders of Kansas. It was the site of the writing of the famous Lecompton Constitution. This pro-slavery constitution sparked a chain of events that divided the nation and eventually climaxed into the U. S. Civil War. It was endorsed by President Buchanan, passed the U.S. Senate (33 to 25) but was rejected by the U.S. House of Representatives (120 to 112). The Constitution is mentioned 51 times during the Lincoln-Douglas Debates. The controversy split the Democratic Party, leading the election of President Lincoln. The Territorial Capital Museum was originally planned to be the Kansas Capitol Building. Construction began in 1855 but was abandoned in 1857 when it became apparent the Capital would be elsewhere. This historic building was completed in 1882 as Lane University. It was the site of the wedding of President Eisenhower’s parents while students at Lane in 1885. The building is presently a museum containing three floors of Civil War, Lane University, Eisenhower, Victorian and Lecompton artifacts. See also the 1850’s Territorial Democratic Headquarters. This native stone building originally contained a log cabin addition on the west side. You will be glad you visited Lecompton.