Emporia Live Cam

Emporia, Kansas, has a rich history that dates back to the mid-19th century. Here are some key points in the history of Emporia:

• Founding and Early Years (1857): Emporia was founded in 1857 by a group of pro-slavery activists led by Samuel Wood. The town was initially named after Wood's home in Maine, but due to the town's anti-slavery stance, it was suggested that the name be changed to Emporia, inspired by the Greek word meaning "home."
• Anti-Slavery Stance and the Emporia Constitution (1858): Emporia gained prominence as a Free-State stronghold in the Kansas Territory during the turbulent years leading up to the Civil War. In 1858, the town hosted the first Kansas State Teachers Association meeting and also saw the drafting of the famous "Emporia Constitution," which advocated for the exclusion of slavery from the state.
• William Allen White and the Emporia Gazette: In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Emporia became known for the influential Emporia Gazette newspaper, edited and published by William Allen White. White was a prominent figure in American journalism and politics, and his home in Emporia, known as the Red Rocks State Historic Site, is a National Historic Landmark.