Finally Persuaded: The Creation of the 1889 Geological Survey of Kansas

While much has been written about the State's first two geological surveys in 1864 and 1865, much less information is available concerning the establishment of the current incarnation of the Geological Survey at the University of Kansas in 1889. This paper briefly traces the events leading to the Survey's recreation: legislative attempts at a survey in the 1880's, arguments made for and against a survey, and the circumstances leading to the Survey's placement at KU. The Kansas Academy of Science particularly was active in the battle for a survey, and appealed to State pride and practical benefits as reasons for a survey's creation. The Academy finally succeeded in 1889, probably in part because of a burgeoning minerals industry in the State. In addition, a change in the KU budget allowed the Legislature to establish the Survey at KU without appropriating additional funds for its operation. No appropriation was made for the Survey from 1889 to 1895, although some field work was undertaken. This paper also explores several reasons that the Survey was placed at KU rather than Kansas State College.