Lake Scott State Park
Encyclopedia
Lake Scott State Park is a 1280 acres (518 ha) Kansas state park in Scott County
, Kansas
in the United States. The park was established in 1928 following a donation of the land by the Herbert Steele family. The park, also known as Scott State Park, surrounds Lake Scott a spring fed freshwater lake. Lake Scott State Park is between Oakley
and Scott City
west of Kansas Highway 83. The park is open for year round recreation including, camping
, hunting
, fishing
, hiking
, boating
and picnic
king. Lake Scott State Park is home to the only known Indian pueblo
in Kansas, El Cuartelejo.
. The Taos arrived in western Kansas in 1664. After having escaped the Spanish
colonial rule in New Mexico
. They formed an alliance with a group of Plains Apache
. The Taos Indians built the protective pueblo
s and an irrigation
system from a nearby spring
to water their crops. The settlement, known as El Cuartelejo
, was occupied for 20 years before the builders returned to their home territory. The pueblo was reoccupied in 1696 by a group of Picuri
Indians. The Picuris were compelled to retreat to their homelands in colonial New Mexico ten years later.
The Picuri were the last Native Americans
to occupy the pueblo. A Spanish expedition used the pueblo in 1720 on a journey to the north and west to determine the strength of the French in the area. The expeditionary forces were attacked by a group of Pawnee about 150 miles (241.4 km) from El Cuartelejo. The Spanish considered using the structure as a frontier station, but cancelled the undertaking due to its remote location from their supplies in New Mexico. The last know settlement at the pueblo was recorded in 1727 when local Indians reported that it was being used by French traders. The effects of weather and erosion caused the structure to disappear, leaving just a "slight mound" and some irrigation ditches..
Herbert Steele discovered the ruins in 1889. They were excavated by archaeologist
s from the University of Kansas
. In 1964, the El Cuartelejo ruins were designated a National Historic Landmark
.
In 1970, the site has been excavated to reveal that the pueblo was a seven-room structure, enough to house a small band of Indians. The foundations of the pueblo were reconstructed at this time and are open to the public with interpretive signs and displas. Near the pueblo are traces of shallow ditches extending from the nearby springs.
Herbert Steele arrived in Scott County in 1888. He established his homestead
on what is now Lake Scott State Park soon after. He and his wife Eliza Landon lived there at first in a dugout
and later built a four room house of native sandstone
. The original home is now a museum and displays furniture and tools used by the early settlers of Scott County. The Steele's donated their property to the Kansas Forestry, Fish and Game Commission in 1928. The park is 1280 acres (518 ha) including the 640 acres (259 ha) Steele homestead.
s and pedal boat
s.
There are several miles of trails in the park that are open to hiking and horseback riding. The trails venture into wild areas were wildlife can be observed. Commonly seen wild animals include wild turkey
, deer
, beaver
, and bobcat
. Hunting is permitted in the wildlife area that is just west of the park. Lake Scott is open to fishing. Common game fish include Redear Sunfish
, Green Sunfish
, Crappie
, Channel Catfish
, Largemouth Bass
, Trout
, Walleye
, Bluegill
and Black Bullhead
.
Scott County, Kansas
Scott County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 4,936...
, Kansas
Kansas
Kansas is a US state located in the Midwestern United States. It is named after the Kansas River which flows through it, which in turn was named after the Kansa Native American tribe, which inhabited the area. The tribe's name is often said to mean "people of the wind" or "people of the south...
in the United States. The park was established in 1928 following a donation of the land by the Herbert Steele family. The park, also known as Scott State Park, surrounds Lake Scott a spring fed freshwater lake. Lake Scott State Park is between Oakley
Oakley, Kansas
Oakley is a city in Gove, Logan, and Thomas counties in the U.S. state of Kansas. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 2,045. It is the county seat of Logan County.-Geography:...
and Scott City
Scott City, Kansas
Scott City is a city in and the county seat of Scott County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 3,816.-Geography:Scott City is located at...
west of Kansas Highway 83. The park is open for year round recreation including, camping
Camping
Camping is an outdoor recreational activity. The participants leave urban areas, their home region, or civilization and enjoy nature while spending one or several nights outdoors, usually at a campsite. Camping may involve the use of a tent, caravan, motorhome, cabin, a primitive structure, or no...
, hunting
Hunting
Hunting is the practice of pursuing any living thing, usually wildlife, for food, recreation, or trade. In present-day use, the term refers to lawful hunting, as distinguished from poaching, which is the killing, trapping or capture of the hunted species contrary to applicable law...
, fishing
Fishing
Fishing is the activity of trying to catch wild fish. Fish are normally caught in the wild. Techniques for catching fish include hand gathering, spearing, netting, angling and trapping....
, hiking
Hiking
Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain. People often hike on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking...
, boating
Boating
Boating is the leisurely activity of travelling by boat, or the recreational use of a boat whether powerboats, sailboats, or man-powered vessels , focused on the travel itself, as well as sports activities, such as fishing or water skiing...
and picnic
Picnic
In contemporary usage, a picnic can be defined simply as a pleasure excursion at which a meal is eaten outdoors , ideally taking place in a beautiful landscape such as a park, beside a lake or with an interesting view and possibly at a public event such as before an open air theatre performance,...
king. Lake Scott State Park is home to the only known Indian pueblo
Pueblo
Pueblo is a term used to describe modern communities of Native Americans in the Southwestern United States of America. The first Spanish explorers of the Southwest used this term to describe the communities housed in apartment-like structures built of stone, adobe mud, and other local material...
in Kansas, El Cuartelejo.
History
Lake Scott State Park is the site of a ruined Taos PuebloTaos Pueblo
Taos Pueblo is an ancient pueblo belonging to a Taos speaking Native American tribe of Pueblo people. It is approximately 1000 years old and lies about north of the modern city of Taos, New Mexico, USA...
. The Taos arrived in western Kansas in 1664. After having escaped the Spanish
Spanish colonization of the Americas
Colonial expansion under the Spanish Empire was initiated by the Spanish conquistadores and developed by the Monarchy of Spain through its administrators and missionaries. The motivations for colonial expansion were trade and the spread of the Christian faith through indigenous conversions...
colonial rule in New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
. They formed an alliance with a group of Plains Apache
Apache
Apache is the collective term for several culturally related groups of Native Americans in the United States originally from the Southwest United States. These indigenous peoples of North America speak a Southern Athabaskan language, which is related linguistically to the languages of Athabaskan...
. The Taos Indians built the protective pueblo
Pueblo
Pueblo is a term used to describe modern communities of Native Americans in the Southwestern United States of America. The first Spanish explorers of the Southwest used this term to describe the communities housed in apartment-like structures built of stone, adobe mud, and other local material...
s and an irrigation
Irrigation
Irrigation may be defined as the science of artificial application of water to the land or soil. It is used to assist in the growing of agricultural crops, maintenance of landscapes, and revegetation of disturbed soils in dry areas and during periods of inadequate rainfall...
system from a nearby spring
Spring (hydrosphere)
A spring—also known as a rising or resurgence—is a component of the hydrosphere. Specifically, it is any natural situation where water flows to the surface of the earth from underground...
to water their crops. The settlement, known as El Cuartelejo
El Quartelejo Ruins
El Quartelejo, or El Cuartelejo is the name given to the archeological remains of the northernmost Indian pueblo and the only known pueblo in Kansas...
, was occupied for 20 years before the builders returned to their home territory. The pueblo was reoccupied in 1696 by a group of Picuri
Picuris Pueblo, New Mexico
Picuris Pueblo is a census-designated place in Taos County, New Mexico, United States. The population was 86 at the 2000 census. The Pueblo people are from the Tiwa ethnic group of Native Americans. Picurís Pueblo is a member of the Eight Northern Pueblos.Picuris village has occupied its present...
Indians. The Picuris were compelled to retreat to their homelands in colonial New Mexico ten years later.
The Picuri were the last Native Americans
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
to occupy the pueblo. A Spanish expedition used the pueblo in 1720 on a journey to the north and west to determine the strength of the French in the area. The expeditionary forces were attacked by a group of Pawnee about 150 miles (241.4 km) from El Cuartelejo. The Spanish considered using the structure as a frontier station, but cancelled the undertaking due to its remote location from their supplies in New Mexico. The last know settlement at the pueblo was recorded in 1727 when local Indians reported that it was being used by French traders. The effects of weather and erosion caused the structure to disappear, leaving just a "slight mound" and some irrigation ditches..
Herbert Steele discovered the ruins in 1889. They were excavated by archaeologist
Archaeology
Archaeology, or archeology , is the study of human society, primarily through the recovery and analysis of the material culture and environmental data that they have left behind, which includes artifacts, architecture, biofacts and cultural landscapes...
s from the University of Kansas
University of Kansas
The University of Kansas is a public research university and the largest university in the state of Kansas. KU campuses are located in Lawrence, Wichita, Overland Park, and Kansas City, Kansas with the main campus being located in Lawrence on Mount Oread, the highest point in Lawrence. The...
. In 1964, the El Cuartelejo ruins were designated a National Historic Landmark
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
.
In 1970, the site has been excavated to reveal that the pueblo was a seven-room structure, enough to house a small band of Indians. The foundations of the pueblo were reconstructed at this time and are open to the public with interpretive signs and displas. Near the pueblo are traces of shallow ditches extending from the nearby springs.
Herbert Steele arrived in Scott County in 1888. He established his homestead
Homestead (buildings)
A homestead is either a single building, or collection of buildings grouped together on a large agricultural holding, such as a ranch, station or a large agricultural operation of some other designation.-See also:* Farm house* Homestead Act...
on what is now Lake Scott State Park soon after. He and his wife Eliza Landon lived there at first in a dugout
Dugout (shelter)
A dugout or dug-out, also known as a pithouse, pit-house, earth lodge, mud hut, is a shelter for humans or domesticated animals and livestock based on a hole or depression dug into the ground. These structures are one of the most ancient types of human housing known to archeologists...
and later built a four room house of native sandstone
Sandstone
Sandstone is a sedimentary rock composed mainly of sand-sized minerals or rock grains.Most sandstone is composed of quartz and/or feldspar because these are the most common minerals in the Earth's crust. Like sand, sandstone may be any colour, but the most common colours are tan, brown, yellow,...
. The original home is now a museum and displays furniture and tools used by the early settlers of Scott County. The Steele's donated their property to the Kansas Forestry, Fish and Game Commission in 1928. The park is 1280 acres (518 ha) including the 640 acres (259 ha) Steele homestead.
Recreation
Lake Scott State Park is open for year-round recreation. There are 55 modern and 175 primitive campsites on the campgrounds. Two modern restroom facilities are provided. There is a swimming beach on the lake with a plaground nearby. A concessionaire sells fishing and camping supplies and also rents out canoeCanoe
A canoe or Canadian canoe is a small narrow boat, typically human-powered, though it may also be powered by sails or small electric or gas motors. Canoes are usually pointed at both bow and stern and are normally open on top, but can be decked over A canoe (North American English) or Canadian...
s and pedal boat
Pedalo
A paddle boat or "pedalo" is a form of waterborne transport, primarily for recreational use, powered through the use of pedals....
s.
There are several miles of trails in the park that are open to hiking and horseback riding. The trails venture into wild areas were wildlife can be observed. Commonly seen wild animals include wild turkey
Wild Turkey
The Wild Turkey is native to North America and is the heaviest member of the Galliformes. It is the same species as the domestic turkey, which derives from the South Mexican subspecies of wild turkey .Adult wild turkeys have long reddish-yellow to grayish-green...
, deer
Deer
Deer are the ruminant mammals forming the family Cervidae. Species in the Cervidae family include white-tailed deer, elk, moose, red deer, reindeer, fallow deer, roe deer and chital. Male deer of all species and female reindeer grow and shed new antlers each year...
, beaver
Beaver
The beaver is a primarily nocturnal, large, semi-aquatic rodent. Castor includes two extant species, North American Beaver and Eurasian Beaver . Beavers are known for building dams, canals, and lodges . They are the second-largest rodent in the world...
, and bobcat
Bobcat
The bobcat is a North American mammal of the cat family Felidae, appearing during the Irvingtonian stage of around 1.8 million years ago . With twelve recognized subspecies, it ranges from southern Canada to northern Mexico, including most of the continental United States...
. Hunting is permitted in the wildlife area that is just west of the park. Lake Scott is open to fishing. Common game fish include Redear Sunfish
Redear sunfish
The redear sunfish , also known as the shellcracker, Georgia bream, cherry gill, chinquapin, improved bream, rouge ear sunfish and sun perch, is native to the southeastern United States, but since it is a popular sport fish it has been introduced to bodies of water all over North America...
, Green Sunfish
Green sunfish
The green sunfish is a species of freshwater fish in the sunfish family of order Perciformes. A panfish popular with anglers, the green sunfish is also kept as an aquarium fish by hobbyists. They are usually caught by accident, while fishing for other game fish...
, Crappie
Crappie
Crappie is a genus of freshwater fish in the sunfish family of order Perciformes. The type species is P. annularis, the white crappie...
, Channel Catfish
Channel catfish
Channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, is North America's most numerous catfish species. It is the official fish of Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, and Tennessee, and is informally referred to as a "channel cat". In the United States they are the most fished catfish species with approximately 8...
, Largemouth Bass
Largemouth bass
The largemouth bass is a species of black bass in the sunfish family native to North America . It is also known as widemouth bass, bigmouth, black bass, bucketmouth, Potter's fish, Florida bass, Florida largemouth, green bass, green trout, linesides, Oswego bass, southern largemouth...
, Trout
Trout
Trout is the name for a number of species of freshwater and saltwater fish belonging to the Salmoninae subfamily of the family Salmonidae. Salmon belong to the same family as trout. Most salmon species spend almost all their lives in salt water...
, Walleye
Walleye
Walleye is a freshwater perciform fish native to most of Canada and to the northern United States. It is a North American close relative of the European pikeperch...
, Bluegill
Bluegill
The Bluegill is a species of freshwater fish sometimes referred to as bream, brim, or copper nose. It is a member of the sunfish family Centrarchidae of the order Perciformes.-Range and distribution:...
and Black Bullhead
Black bullhead
The black bullhead, Ameiurus melas, is a species of bullhead catfish. Like other bullhead catfish, it has the ability to thrive in waters that are low in oxygen, brackish, turbid and/or very warm. It also has barbels located near its mouth, a broad head, spiny fins and no scales...
.