The Black Jack Battlefield and Nature Park is located on site of the June 2, 1856 Battle of Black Jack. In the battle, the abolitionist John Brown led a Free State militia in a successful attack on a proslavery militia camped at Black Jack Springs, the second campground on the Santa Fe Trail west of Missouri.

In addition to the battlefield, the 40-acre park includes the historic Robert Hall Pearson Farmhouse and a nature park containing a diverse ecosystem that includes wetlands, riparian woodlands, and upland prairie in the process of being restored. Nearly two miles of hiking trails wind around the battlefield and through the natural areas. There is also abundant wildlife throughout the park to watch and enjoy.

The park’s address is at 163 East 2000th Road near Baldwin City, located in southeast Douglas County three miles east of Baldwin City off US56 Highway. It is open to the public from dawn to dusk rear-round for touring the battlefield, hiking the trails, and appreciating the natural environment.

Douglas County and Baldwin City have partnered to preserve and manage Black Jack Battlefield, a 38-acre historic site central to the Bleeding Kansas era.

The county is contributing $250,000 from its open space funds to support the purchase of the property.

Meanwhile, Baldwin City will take on site maintenance, ensure ongoing public access and work with the county to appoint an advisory board to guide the site’s future use and preservation.

Black Jack Battlefield was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2012, and it is one of three National Historic Landmark sites in Douglas County and one of 26 in Kansas. The park is also next to the Ivan Boyd Prairie Preserve, which is owned by Douglas County and maintained by the Santa Fe Trail Historical Society of Douglas County.