Other Historic Sites
Council Oak
Beneath this tree on August 10, 1825, U.S. Commissioners and Chiefs of the Great and Little Osage tribes signed a treaty to establish the right-of-way for the Santa Fe Trail across Osage lands. It was at that time that Commissioner George Sibley named this site, "Council Grove", which became the name of the town later founded here. The tree was destroyed in a 1958 wind storm and its stump has been preserved in place.
Hermit's Cave
Italian priest Giovanni Maria Augustini lived in this cave for five months in 1863. That fall, at age 62, he left Council Grove with a wagon train and walked the 550 miles to Las Vegas, New Mexico.
Neosho Riverwalk
This landscaped, lighted walkway is an ADA accessible sidewalk connecting the Kaw Mission and the Guardian of the Grove statue. En route, on the east bank of the river is an overlook of the Neosho River Crossing. The natural rockbed of the Neosho River at this location was ideal for crossing by Santa Fe freighters and travelers. The crossing is also visible from the Main Street Bridge.