Pawnee Rock Santa Fe Trail Caches

Sun shading (lidar)

Adjust simulated sun direction on the lidar hillshade. Azimuth = compass bearing of the light (0° north, 90° east). Altitude = height above the horizon (low = long shadows).

Historical map overlays

USGS scanned historical topographic maps. Enable an overlay and adjust its opacity. Works in 2D and 3D.

Sun azimuth: 315°   Sun altitude: 45°   Z factor: 1   Lidar opacity: 1
center: —   mouse: —   zoom: —

Pawnee Rock Santa Fe Trail Caches

Lost Treasure KS • Barton County County
Description
Pawnee Rock legend of more than a hundred buried caches — from lone travelers to Spanish expeditions and Santa Fe freighters — hidden before Pawnee and Comanche attacks along the trail midpoint.
Historical Notes
Pawnee Rock near Larned was a Santa Fe Trail landmark between Independence, Missouri, and Santa Fe. Wagon trains camped for water from the Arkansas River and game on the prairie. Travelers buried valuables each night when Pawnee ambushes grew deadly. Massacres left many caches undug — from small purses to rich freighters' eastbound gold and silver. Quarrying reduced the bluff before it became a state historic site. Legends of America estimates well over a hundred lost caches within two miles of the rock.
Status / Verification legend — Legendary or approximate

Take Add Data / Take Notes

Log in or create an account to save private field notes for this location. Your notes are only visible to you.

Forgot password?
or

Enter your email and we'll send you a link to reset your password.

Back to log in
or