KANSAS & MEXICO: 500 YEARS OF SHARED HISTORY

A Moment in Time

Kansas Historical Society

September 2002

By Bobbie Athon

A monthly series from the Kansas Historical Society

When Kansas became a state in 1861, the boundary lines were set as we know them today. But long before that time, Kansas shared a border with Mexico. In fact, part of today's Kansas was once in Mexico.

Until the 1500s, the land we now call Kansas was home to many American Indians who farmed and built grass lodges or hunted and moved across the prairie with the seasons. When Spanish explorers arrived in North America, they settled in the southern territory of Mexico, ruling over the American Indians who lived there. In 1539, the governor of Mexico, Francisco Vazquez de Coronado, journeyed north with an army to search for treasure. The small group of men and horses came to "Kansas" in 1541.

French explorers worked and settled along the Mississippi River in the late 1600s. The claimed the land west of the river, much of the same land claimed by Spain. In 1762, France relinquished its claim to Spain and "Kansas" was considered Spanish territory, as was Mexico. In 1800, France reclaimed the land. "Kansas" was again a French territory, neighboring Mexico. France sold the land in 1803 to the United States government in a transaction known as the Louisiana Purchase, making "Kansas" part of United States territory. A border drawn in 1819 between Spanish and U.S. lands left the southwestern corner of "Kansas" under Spanish rule.

To explore the shared history of Kansas and Mexico, see the August/September 2002 issue of Kansas Kaleidoscope. "The Mexican History of Kansas" provides stories on the Santa Fe Trail--how children traveled the trail and things to do today along the trail. Written for a intermediate audience, grades four through six, the issue also features vaqueros, the first cowboys; Mexican immigrants to Kansas, traditions such as Las Posadas, QuinceaZeras, and Cinco de Mayo; fiestas; mariachi music traditions; History Lab; and a Kaleidoscope Challenge. The magazine is published five times during the school year at $7 for an individual subscription, or $5.50 for 10 issues or more to the same address. For more information call 785-272-8681, ext, 419.

The Kansas Historical Society is headquartered at 6425 SW Sixth Avenue, Topeka KS 66615-1099; 785-272-8681; TTY 785-272-8683; www.kshs.org.

The Kansas Historical Society does not discriminate on the basis of disability in admission to, access to, or operation of its programs. The Society requests prior notification to accommodate individuals with special needs or disabilities.