Historic
and Modern Uses of the Bottomland Area
Farming
Photo from the Benninghoven family
1920-30 |
During
the early ranching period, ca. 1870s - 1900, this bottomland
was cultivated with varying crops. Earlier still is the use
of the area by American Indians for short-term camping sites.
As you travel the trail, try to imagine being inside a field
of corn or a pre-historic habitation site. |
Cattle
- The cattle industry also played an important role in this bottomland
area. Take notice of the remnants of an old railroad spur that
once ran to the old ranch feedlot on the north end of the Bottomland
trail. This spur was used to ship cattle to markets in Kansas
City. The railroad spur was a major contributing factor to the
end of the long cattle drives to western cattle towns such as
Abilene and Wichita. It became a common practice to winter cattle
in feedlots and ship to market in the spring.
Quarries 
Prior to cattle, limestone was the major commodity being shipped
from the Flint Hills. Quarrying in Chase County was a very lucrative
practice in the late 1800s. Limestone is still taken from the
Flint Hills today, but instead of movement by rail, it is now
moved by truck. An old quarry site from the late 19th century
is hidden in the tree-covered area across the county road from
the parking lot.
Limestone and its close proximity to the ground surface is the
sole reason that remnants of the
tallgrass prairie in the Flint Hills exist today. Of the 400,000
square miles of tallgrass prairie that once covered North America,
less than 4% remains. The majority of this tallgrass prairie is
upland prairie. The bottomland floodplain prairie community truly
is a rare relic. Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve is dedicated
to restoring this bottomland area to tallgrass prairie. As you
experience the trail, take note of the differences in a bottomland
prairie community.
Opening the Bottomland Trail
On
October 11, 2003 the Bottomland Trail was completed and opened
to the public. The rough-cut trail was developed into a handicap
accessible trail with two varying length loops. The longer loop
is 3/4 mile with a short cut-off loop of 1/2 mile. The trail has
an introductory kiosk with five porcelain enamel wayside exhibits
explaining the natural and cultural history that makes up the
trail area. Along the path are benches strategically placed in
areas where visitors can stop and reflect upon the peace and beauty
of the trail.
| We welcome you to experience
nature at its best and enjoy what the preserve has to offer.
Welcome to our trails and enjoy your experience. |
The opening
of the rough-cut
Bottomland Trail,
September 2002
|
