BALDWIN CITY — The Black Jack Battlefield and Nature Park is close to being designated a National Historic Landmark by the National Park Service. The Lawrence Journal-World reports that the trust that runs the nearly 60-acre site near Baldwin City started the application process three years ago. All that remains is the signature of U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar to make it official. Black Jack board member and John Brown re-enactor Kerry Altenbernd said the designation will give Black Jack better access to grants, increase heritage tourism and show the historic importance of the site. The battlefield is where a pro-slavery force tried to capture Brown during the days of Bleeding Kansas and was captured by Brown instead.
Tuesday, Aug. 21, 7 a.m.
