The Story
October 4, 2024
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This month I’m going to go in a bit of a different direction, but I’ve always said that I would write about what was interesting
Monument Rocks Kansas
August 10, 2024
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I was traveling this month and came across a Kansas site that I thought would be interesting to share in this month’s post. On our
Horizon
July 12, 2024
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This month has been a busy one with the release of my new book, The Kingdom of Amarugia, (now available for pre-order at www.jonathanjonesauthor.com) Instead
The Siege of Vicksburg
June 7, 2024
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This month’s post is going to take us a little further afield to the location of the Siege of Vicksburg. Jill and I took a
A Safari in Kansas
May 14, 2024
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This month’s post is a little different than my normal history stuff. That said, there is a history component to the Martin and Osa Johnson
Council Grove Kansas
April 4, 2024
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Council Grove, KS: Kanza (Kaw) Indians, Sante Fe Trail, Oldest Restaurant in Kansas This month’s post takes us to Council Grove, Kansas. Council Grove is a
POWs in the Heartland
February 8, 2024
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This month’s post was originally published in the Johnson County Gazette in October of 2021. This month’s article is a bit of a departure from
January Amarugia Book Update
January 11, 2024
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I wanted to post an update to let everyone know how the Amarugia book was coming and what I have been working on. Over the
The most hated man in Missouri
January 4, 2024
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During the Bleeding Kansas era and continuing until the end of the Civil War, James Henry Lane was both a Kansas hero and the
Killers of the Flower Moon
December 13, 2023
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This month’s post is going to be a review of the movie “Killers of the Flower Moon”. The movie, which is currently in theaters, is
Richmond Man Shoots Jesse James in St. Joseph
November 19, 2023
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As I promised in the October post, this post returns us back to a popular Missouri resident, Jesse James. This month I took a trip
Beecher Bible and Rifle Church
October 3, 2023
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This month I took a short, hour and half drive out to Wamego, Kansas. Wamego is a town of 4,000 about a hour northwest of
Oppenheimer Movie Review
September 7, 2023
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If you have been following me for a while, you know that I like to publish posts about historical television and movies and I watch.
Fort Leavenworth
August 3, 2023
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If you don’t know me personally or haven’t followed me long enough to figure this out, I am a God-fearing, flag waving, proud to be
Jesse James Farmhouse
July 3, 2023
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I have a bit of personal attachment to the Jesse James story because the house we built in Richmond, Missouri backed up to the cemetery
New Book Announcement
June 21, 2023
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One of the ways that I make decisions on my book projects is by looking at the popularity of posts on my blog. My most
Fort Osage
June 7, 2023
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Remembering the 4th grade A significant portion of my readers are, or were, Missouri residents. I think that most of these people remember the 4th
Fort Gibson
May 4, 2023
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Our last stop on the Oklahoma tour is Fort Gibson. I found Fort Gibson very interesting, and I encourage you to visit if you are
Battle of Honey Springs
April 6, 2023
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The Battle of Honey Springs, sometimes called the Affair at Elk Creek, occurred on July 17, 1863, at the Honey Springs Depot which was a
Jesus Revolution, A Movie Review
March 13, 2023
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I decided to do an extra post this week to review the movie Jesus Revolution for two reasons. The first is the obvious connection between
Battle at Cabin Creek Oklahoma
March 9, 2023
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Cabin Creek is a small river in the northeastern part of Oklahoma. Today, the battlefield site is out in the middle of nowhere. In 1863,
Cover Reveal: Hippie War
February 17, 2023
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I’m thrilled to show everyone the cover for my next book, “Hippie War: Battle for the Harrisonville Square”. For those of you who enjoy seeing how
Taking a Winter break!
October 18, 2022
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I’m going to be taking a short break from creating new content for both this page as well as my Facebook Page, Jonathan Jones History.
Historic Liberty Jail
October 6, 2022
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My wife was concerned that I was considering joining the Mormon religion after watching “Under the Banner of Heaven” on Hulu. While joining up was
Far West Settlement
September 22, 2022
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This will be the second in an unofficial series of posts relating to the history of the Mormons in Missouri. If you haven’t read the
Haun’s Mill Massacre
September 8, 2022
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The Haun’s Mill Massacre came to my attention while Jill and I were watching the Hulu show, Under the Banner of Heaven, starring Andrew Garfield.
The Strange Tale of the Kingdom of Amarugia
August 18, 2022
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The Kingdom of Amarugia was located in an area in Cass County between Freeman, Archie, and Drexel. Much of the land is now a conservation
The Orphan Train
July 28, 2022
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Check out my latest article on the Orphan Train which was printed in the July 15 edition of the Johnson County Gazette. Orphan Trains were
Huron/Wyandot Cemetery
July 14, 2022
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The Huron Indian Cemetery, also known as the Wyandot National Burying Ground, is located at 631 Minnesota Ave, Kansas City, Kansas. Wyandot and Huron are
Project Update – June 2022
June 27, 2022
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An American’s Guide to European Travel I will be releasing a new travel book in July. While on a recent trip to Greece with my
Battle of Pea Ridge, Arkansas
June 23, 2022
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The Battle of Pea Ridge is labeled by some historians as the “Battle that Saved Missouri for the Union”. I have been trying to get
Municipal Stadium
June 2, 2022
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Kansas City Municipal Stadium was located at 2123 Brooklyn Avenue, Kansas City, Missouri. If you are approaching from the north, you will drive past Arthur
War on the Harrisonville Square 1972 Part 4
May 12, 2022
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I have always been fascinated, in a sort of macabre way, with this story. The reader comments and interest in the story tell me that
War on the Harrisonville Square 1972 Part 3
April 28, 2022
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I want to start this final entry in the series with a bit of a disclaimer. If you have read the book, Charlie Simpson Apocalypse,
Mary Sibley Presentation
April 17, 2022
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I was honored to be asked to speak with the Mary Sibley Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution in Harrisonville on Saturday, April
War on the Harrisonville Square 1972 Part 2
April 14, 2022
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As mentioned at the end of part 1 of this series, the fuse that lit the fireworks occurred in front of the Sears store on
War on the Harrisonville Square 1972
March 31, 2022
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This entry in my series of historic events on the border takes a bit of a different slant than my other entries which generally have
Quantrill’s Raid of Shawnee
March 9, 2022
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Check out my latest column in the March 4th issue of the Johnson County Gazette. This month I look into Quantrill’s Raids of Shawnee. There
Quindaro Townsite
February 24, 2022
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There is very little remaining of the town of Quindaro, Kansas today. A modern park shelter now sits atop the bluff that overlooks the riverfront
Battles of Newtonia Missouri
February 3, 2022
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Newtonia is a very small town, population 200, about 60 miles southwest of Springfield. The two Civil War battles fought there will always be known
History of Lenexa
February 1, 2022
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Check out my latest article in the January 28th edition of the JOCO Gazette. This month’s article takes a look at the history of Lenexa,
The Sacking of Osceola
January 13, 2022
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Early on the morning of September 22, 1861, Lane, and his men, calling themselves “Lane’s Brigade”, rode into town and after trading small arms fire
Lawrence Kansas
December 30, 2021
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A traveler cannot understand the Border War without a visit to Lawrence, Kansas. Lawrence is located about 30 miles west of Kansas City and was
Luther Dummy Taylor
December 20, 2021
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Check out my latest column in the November 17 edition of the Johnson County Gazette. This article is entitled, KSD’s Luther “Dummy” Taylor, World Series
Lecompton Kansas
December 16, 2021
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Lecompton is another town that has embraced its Civil War roots and markets itself to the outside world based on that image. The town’s slogan
Cover Design for second book
December 7, 2021
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Sneak Peek for the cover design for my second book, “The Border War Tour: A Traveler’s Guide to Civil War Sites on the Missouri/Kansas Border”. I’m
The Battle of Westport
December 3, 2021
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In this tour stop, I will review what is not just one tour stop but several. The Battle of Westport Driving Tour takes the visitor
The Harvey Girls
November 20, 2021
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Check out my latest column in the November 19 edition of the Johnson County Gazette. This article is entitled, “Who Were the Harvey Girls”. this
Fort Hayes, Fort Hayes Kansas
November 18, 2021
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This tour stop at Fort Hayes will wrap up our journey through the middle of Kansas. Hayes, Kansas is located on I-70 about 4 hours
Fort Larned
November 4, 2021
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This week we continue our journey through West Central Kansas with a stop at Fort Larned, which is located near Larned, Kansas, approximately 270 miles
Dodge City Kansas
October 22, 2021
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For this post, we continue our trip through south-central Kansas with a visit to Dodge City. Dodge City would earn the nickname, “Sodom of the
Nazi POWs in the Midwest
October 19, 2021
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Check out my latest column in Johnson County Gazette entitled, “Nazi Prisoners?”. This article is a bit a departure from my normal column in the
Nicodemus Kansas; A Slave City
October 9, 2021
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I’m going to step a little bit away from the Border War for my next few posts. In August I traveled throughout central Kansas visiting
Ray County Presentation
September 28, 2021
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I was honored to speak at the David Whitmer Symposium last Saturday, this was changed to an online event, but the program was recorded so
Fort Scott
September 24, 2021
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Fort Scott, named after General Winfield Scott, was built in 1842 to give soldiers a place to live while working to maintain peace between white
Jennison’s Jayhawkers visit Olathe
September 19, 2021
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Check out my latest article for the Johnson County Gazette entitled “Jennison’s Jayhawkers visit Olathe. The article can be found at this link: http://jocogazette.com/images/2021-9-17.lowrez.pdf. Click
Battle of Independence, Independence Square (Part 2)
September 8, 2021
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This post is a continuation of the “Battle of Independence, Part 1. I recommend that read that post first before reading this one. At 4:30
Battle of Independence, Independence Square (Part 1)
August 26, 2021
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This tour stop takes us back to Independence, where the First Battle of Independence occurred on August 11, 1862. There is a single informational sign
Appearance on Timeline Podcast
August 24, 2021
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I was honored to be on the Timeline Radio show and podcast with Clenece Hill last Monday, August 16th. The show was live on KLWN
Battle of Blowhard
August 16, 2021
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Pick up a copy of the August 13th edition of the Johnson County Gazette and read my latest article about the Battle of Blowhard. You
Historic Jackson County Jail: Independence, MO
August 12, 2021
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Our next couple of stops on the Border War Tour will take us to Independence, Missouri. Today, we will visit the Jackson County Jail and
Civil War Books and Authors reviews Moonlit Mayhem
August 2, 2021
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I am pleased to announce that Moonlit Mayhem was reviewed by Civil War Books and Authors. Check out their review via the link to their
Lane’s Trail and Amazon’s Underground Railroad
July 29, 2021
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The Lane Trail is a route from the east and north into Kansas that allowed settlers from those regions to avoid Missouri and the ruffians
Moonlit Mayhem Update – 4 months after launch
July 26, 2021
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Well, it’s not a New York Times bestseller yet, but it’s doing okay. Four months into the sales of Moonlit Mayhem I have sold 227
Bushwhackers Raid of Gardner, Kansas
July 20, 2021
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Check out my latest article in the July 16th Johnson County Gazette entitled, “Bushwhacker Raid on Gardner”. The article details the bushwhacker raid on Gardner
Pawnee: First Territorial Capital of Kansas
July 15, 2021
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The first Capital of Kansas was located in a small town called Pawnee, Kansas. It has been said that the events that took place in
The Strange Story of Quantrill’s Bones
July 1, 2021
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The strange story of William Quantrill’s multiple graves is too long to cover in a short post so this post will contain the Reader’s Digest
Confederate Memorial State Historic Site
June 17, 2021
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After the end of the Civil War, Confederate Veterans had it rough. Particularly in Missouri, these men had seen their property and most of their
Ott’s Mill
June 11, 2021
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Check out my latest article in the June 11 edition of the Johnson County Gazette about Olathe’s historic Ott’s Mill building on East Cedar Street.
Rebel Raid on Humboldt Kansas
June 3, 2021
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Border War Tour Stop: Rebel Raid on Humbold, Kansas Humboldt, Kansas is a small town about 50 miles due east of Fort Scott, Kansas, and 10
Little House on the Prairie
May 20, 2021
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Border War Tour Stop: Drum Creek, Little House on the Prairie, Osage Indians vs Confederates, and the first serial killers. There is a great deal to
The Most Hated Man in Missouri
May 14, 2021
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The Most Hated Man in Missouri: Check out my latest article in the May 14th edition of the Johnson County Gazette. The article is located
Battle of Island Mound
May 7, 2021
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The Battle of Island Mound occurred in Bates County, Missouri about 7 miles west of Butler, Missouri, and 9 miles east of the Missouri/Kansas Border.
Moonlit Mayhem Sales Update
April 29, 2021
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I promised when I started this journey that I would keep this audience updated as to my progress and how things were going with this
Sacking of Osawatomie
April 23, 2021
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After the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Act in 1854, Osawatomie, Kansas was settled by Free State settlers. In 1855, this belief conflicted with that of
William Pellett: First Mayor of Olathe
April 10, 2021
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Check out the latest edition of the Johnson County Gazette to read my latest article about Olathe’s first Mayor, William “Billy” Pellett. Pellett was held prisoner during the
John Brown’s Cabin and Good Lord Bird
April 8, 2021
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First of all, a shameless plug for my new book, Moonlit Mayhem: Quantrill’s Raid of Olathe Kansas. Get your signed copy for $5 off the
Moonlit Mayhem available for purchase
March 30, 2021
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I am pleased to announce that my first book, “Moonlit Mayhem: Quantrill’s Raid of Olathe, Kansas”, is now available. All formats (paperback, Kindle, and eBook) should
Battle of Lexington Part 2: That was a really bad shot!
March 18, 2021
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Part 2 of this tour is a collection of tidbits that I could not fit into Part 1. • In 1860 Lexington, with a population of
Shawnee Methodist Indian Mission
March 12, 2021
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Pick up a copy of the March 12th edition of the Johnson County Gazette in which you will find my latest article about the Shawnee
The Story
October 4, 2024
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This month I’m going to go in a bit of a different direction, but I’ve always said that I would write about what was interesting
Monument Rocks Kansas
August 10, 2024
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I was traveling this month and came across a Kansas site that I thought would be interesting to share in this month’s post. On our
Horizon
July 12, 2024
No Comments
This month has been a busy one with the release of my new book, The Kingdom of Amarugia, (now available for pre-order at www.jonathanjonesauthor.com) Instead
The Siege of Vicksburg
June 7, 2024
No Comments
This month’s post is going to take us a little further afield to the location of the Siege of Vicksburg. Jill and I took a
A Safari in Kansas
May 14, 2024
No Comments
This month’s post is a little different than my normal history stuff. That said, there is a history component to the Martin and Osa Johnson
Council Grove Kansas
April 4, 2024
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Council Grove, KS: Kanza (Kaw) Indians, Sante Fe Trail, Oldest Restaurant in Kansas This month’s post takes us to Council Grove, Kansas. Council Grove is a