Last updated: July 3, 2022
Place
St. Mary's Mission and Oregon Trail Nature Park
NPS Photo
Quick Facts
Location:
111 E Mission St, St Marys, KS 66536
Significance:
St Mary’s was a mission and school for the Potawatomi tribe along the Oregon Trail, it held the Pay Station for the Potawatomi Indian Agency.
Designation:
National Registry of Historic Sites
MANAGED BY:
The St Mary’s Indian Pay Station was established at the St Mary’s Mission and school. The Pay Station building was where tribe members received their annual government payments based on previous treaties. The mission also served as a school to educate and “civilize” American Indian children. Today you can visit the site and the St Mary’s Indian Pay Station and Museum.
Down the road from St Mary’s is the Oregon Trail Nature Park. The historic Oregon Trail route passes through and features a mural painted on an old silo.
Near St. Mary’s, the Oregon Trail passes through the Oregon Trail Nature Park. Located on the north edge of the Kaw River Valley, you follow the historic route to access the park. There are trail murals in the park to help you imagine the scene.