| A few miles below Marysville was the famous ford on the Oregon Trail
known as the Independence, Mormon, or California crossing. There
thousands of covered wagons with settlers bound for Oregon, Mormons for
Utah and gold seekers for California crossed the Big Blue River. In 1849
a ferry and trading post was established at the ford by Frank J.
Marshall, despite constant danger from Indians. Two years later the
military road between Forts Leavenworth and Kearny crossed the river at
the site of present Marysville, one mile west. Marshall built another
ferry and for years handled an immense traffic. He gave the name of his
wife, Mary, to the town that developed here and his own name to Marshall
County of which it is the county seat. In 1860 Marysville became a
station on the Pony Express. For most of the 1860's it was an important
stopping place for coaches of the great Overland Stage Line.
|
Visit the Home Page for Kansas