Palmyra Township, Douglas County, Kansas

Palmyra Township is a township in Douglas County, Kansas, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 5,760. It was named after a small trail stop on the Santa Fe Trail that was later absorbed into Baldwin City.[1] When it was first established in 1855, it was called Calhoun, until 1858.

Palmyra Township
Township
Signal Oak, a historic spot in Palmyra Township
Location in Douglas County
Coordinates: 38°47′20″N 095°09′01″W
CountryUnited States
StateKansas
CountyDouglas
Area
 • Total82.57 sq mi (213.86 km2)
 • Land81.92 sq mi (212.17 km2)
 • Water0.65 sq mi (1.69 km2)  0.79%
Elevation
1,050 ft (320 m)
Population
 (2000)
 • Total5,760
 • Density70.3/sq mi (27.1/km2)
GNIS feature ID0479537
A marker near the townsite of Brooklyn in Palmyra Township.
The boulder marking the location of Signal Oak.

Geography

Palmyra Township covers an area of 82.57 square miles (213.9 km2) and contains one incorporated settlement, Baldwin City. According to the USGS, it contains six cemeteries: Baldwin City, Brumbaugh, Oakwood, Old Black Jack, Prairie City and Vinland.

The stream of Wymore Creek runs through this township.

Adjacent townships

Towns and settlements

Although these towns may not be incorporated or populated, they are still placed on maps produced by the county.

Transportation

Major highways
  • U.S. Highway 56
  • K-33

Airports

Palmyra Township contains one airport or landing strip, Vinland Valley Aerodrome.

Places of interest
  • Douglas State Fishing Lake northeast of Baldwin City has fishing, hunting and limited camping.
  • Signal Oak, a hill north of Baldwin where a tall oak tree once stood that was used to warn Lawrence about approaching guerrilla attacks during the American Civil War. The tree is gone but is clearly marked and has a scenic view of the Coal Creek, Wakarusa and Kaw Valleys.
  • Spring Lake, a small fishing and recreation lake southeast of Baldwin offer scenic views, fishing and hiking trails.
  • Ivan Boyd Prairie Preserve and Robert Pearson Memorial Park, located east of Baldwin marks wagon ruts along the Santa Fe Trail and the Battle of Black Jack which some consider the first battle of the Civil War.

References
  1. Cleland, Nora (June 12, 1961). "Only few of 45 county settlements left". Lawrence Journal-World. p. 13A. Retrieved November 1, 2015.

Sources
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