Kansas has a colorful history. From the arrival of the first European to
the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854, its early history has been detailed in
the quests of many.
Despite Pike and Long's unflattering descriptions of the land, the quest
to settle Kansas continued. On May 30, 1854, Congress enacted the
"Kansas-Nebraska Act" which created two new territories called Kansas
and Nebraska. The act also opened these territories to settlement and
set their boundaries.
Those who came to Kansas during the early historical period were on a
quest. Each quest helped to shape the rich, diverse Kansas culture and
quality of life. Coronado was searching for
instant riches in the form
of gold. The French quest was for riches
in fur trading. The American
quest for land proved to be the
greatest quest of all. They found wealth
in what the land would provide.
