Topics in Kansas History: Business & Industry

Mining & Drilling

In addition to agriculture, much of the state's economic growth has been based on abundant mineral deposits. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, coal, oil and natural gas, lead and zinc, salt, and many other natural resources were extracted from the earth. In varying degrees, most of these resources continue to be of importance to the state's economy.

Find resources on mining and drilling.

Kansas Historical Quarterly, our scholarly journal, 1931-1977

• Former Mining Communities of the Cherokee-Crawford Coal Field of Southeastern Kansas, by William E. Powell, Summer, 1972
• Gold Fever in Kansas Territory: Migration to the Pike's Peak Gold Fields, 1858-1860, by Calvin W. Gower, Spring, 1973
• The Impact of Politics and Prison Industry on the General Management of the Kansas State Penitentiary, 1883-1909, by Harvey R. Hougen, Autumn, 1977
• The Impact of the Railroads on Coal Mining in Osage County, 1869-1910, by D. Lane Hartsock
  Winter, 1971
• Some Phases of the Industrial History of Pittsburg, Kansas, by Fred N. Howell, May 1932

• Big Brutus

Letters, documents, objects, and photographs

• Fake pistol used in prison escape attempt

Kansas Heritage, our popular history magazine

• "Red Hot Rivals," Summer 2002

Teaching Materials

• Classroom Materials: Business
• Field Trips: Business