Waconda Springs

Waconda Springs (HM2B6E)

Location: Cawker City, KS 67430 Mitchell County
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Country: United States of America
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N 39° 31.271', W 98° 23.076'

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Inscription
American Indians considered Waconda Springs a sacred site. Translated similarly by other tribes, the name comes from a Kaw word meaning "Great Spirit." The legend tells of the beautiful Waconda who fell in love with the warrior Takota from a competing tribe. Their forbidden relationship led to a battle. Takota was fatally shot and fell into the springs. Waconda followed her lover into the waters.
Considered neutral territory, the springs drew Kaws, Pawnees, Comanches, and Osages to the site.
As the Indians were forced from their lands, American settlers showed interest in the springs. Businesses bottled the mineral water to sell as tonic and opened a health spa in 1884, drawing American tourists. The owners claimed the waters could cure a range of maladies. The springs were submerged under Waconda Lake when Glen Elder Dam was built in 1969.
Erected by the State of Kansas
Details
HM NumberHM2B6E
Tags
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Placed ByState of Kansas
Marker ConditionNo reports yet
Date Added Thursday, September 6th, 2018 at 8:01am PDT -07:00
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Locationbig map
UTM (WGS84 Datum)14S E 552895 N 4374796
Decimal Degrees39.52118333, -98.38460000
Degrees and Decimal MinutesN 39° 31.271', W 98° 23.076'
Degrees, Minutes and Seconds39° 31' 16.26" N, 98° 23' 4.56" W
Driving DirectionsGoogle Maps
Area Code(s)785
Which side of the road?Marker is on the right when traveling East
Closest Postal AddressAt or near US-24, Cawker City KS 67430, US
Alternative Maps Google Maps, MapQuest, Bing Maps, Yahoo Maps, MSR Maps, OpenCycleMap, MyTopo Maps, OpenStreetMap

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