Source: National Cemetery Administration · cem.va.gov · scraped May 2026
History of Baxter Springs City Soldiers' Lot
Baxter Springs Soldiers' Lot is located in the north-central portion of the city cemetery in Baxter Springs, Kansas, approximately 60 miles south of Fort Scott. The cemetery may have been in use before the city of Baxter Springs was incorporated in 1868.
The city of Baxter Springs donated the 0.7-acre soldiers' lot to the United States incrementally after the Civil War in 1869, 1875, 1877, and 1887. The earliest burials in the plot include 132 Union soldiers and officers killed on October 6, 1863, during the Battle of Baxter Springs. The battle, often referred to as the Baxter Springs Massacre, was just one of many murderous attacks on Kansas free-state citizens by the independent force of Confederate guerillas led by the ruthless border ruffian, William Clarke Quantrill.
The federal government intended to remove the bodies of the men who died during the massacre to Springfield National Cemetery, but the citizens of Baxter Springs petitioned to keep them. As part of the arrangement to retain the burials, the city of Baxter Springs donated the tract of land to the government and agreed to keep the graves in good order.
Monuments and Memorials In 1886, the federal government erected a large marble and granite monument at the soldiers' lot in memory of the men killed in the Battle of Baxter Springs, as well as soldiers and officers killed in other nearby engagements. Funds were appropriated to build the monument after the local Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) post launched a petition drive in 1885, collecting signatures from more than 7,000 veterans. The monument was fabricated by Mitchell Granite Works of Quincy, Massachusetts, at a cost of $4,000. Dedicated on Decoration Day 1886, the monument is inscribed with the names of 163 soldiers and officers, including the names of the 132 soldiers killed during the Battle of Baxter Springs. The monument is over 20 feet high and is surmounted with a marble statue of a Union soldier at parade rest. Four 1853 24-pound siege-gun cannons, mounted in concrete bases, are located within the monument's perimeter, one at each corner.
Notable interments
Veterans, public figures, and citizens of note buried at Baxter Springs City Soldiers' Lot, listed by section and site as recorded by the National Cemetery Administration.
Johnny Fry (Pony Express).
Fry was born in Bourbon County, Kentucky in 1840 and his family moved to Missouri in the late 1850s. Weighing less than 120 pounds, Fry was a skilled horseman, winning some races. In 1860 he was asked to become a rider in the newly created, and short-lived, Pony Express. It is believed that Fry was the first rider in the Express’s inaugural western route launched from St. Joseph, Missouri on April 3, 1860. His leg ended in Seneca, Kansas, with other riders continuing on in a relay that delivered mail to Sacramento, Calif., in just 10 days. Fry rode for the Pony Express until it ended following the completion of a transcontinental telegraph line in late 1861. He was employed as a messenger and scout for the Union Army during the Civil War. On October 6, 1863 he was killed by Confederate guerrillas led by William Quantrill in the Battle of Baxter Springs/Baxter Springs Massacre. Many of the dead of this massacre are buried and memorialized here.
Eligibility for burial at Baxter Springs City Soldiers' Lot
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Burial in a VA national cemetery is open to all members of the armed forces who have met a minimum active duty service requirement and were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable.
Directions
From Kansas City International Airport, take Interstate 29 South 9.4 miles to Interstate 635 South. Travel Interstate 635 South for 12.3 miles. Bear right onto Interstate 35 South. Travel on Interstate 35 South for 4.7 miles, and then merge onto US 69 South for approximately 127 miles. Turn slight right onto US 69 ALT for 11.2 miles. US 69 ALT turns into Military Avenue when entering Baxter Springs. At 12th Street and Military Avenue, turn right onto US 166 West. Cemetery is approximately two miles on the right. Baxter Springs Soldier's Lot is located inside the Baxter Springs City Cemetery.
From Joplin Regional Airport, start out going west on Demott/MO-171 toward Elm Street. Turn slight left onto MO-43/N Main Street Road. Continue to follow MO-43 for 4.1 miles. Turn right onto MO-66 West. Continue to follow MO-66 West 11.4 miles. Turn left onto US-69 ALT. US 69 ALT turns into Military Avenue when entering Baxter Springs. At 12th Street and Military Avenue, turn right onto US 166 West. Cemetery is approximately two miles on the right. Baxter Springs Soldier's Lot is located inside the Baxter Springs City Cemetery.
Floral and grounds policy
Cemetery policies are conspicuously posted and readily visible to the public.
Floral arrangements accompanying the casket or urn at the time of burial will be placed on the completed grave.
Weapons policy
VA regulations 38 CFR 1.218 prohibit the carrying of firearms (either openly or concealed), explosives or other dangerous or deadly weapons while on VA property, except for official purposes, such as military funeral honors.
Possession of firearms on any property under the charge and control of VA is prohibited. Offenders may be subject to a fine, removal from the premises, or arrest.
Education and visiting programs
More than half of VA's national cemeteries originated with the Civil War and many are closed to some burials. Other sites were established to serve World War veterans and they continue to expand. Historic themes related with NCA's cemeteries and soldiers' lots vary, but visitors should understand "Why is it here?" NCA began by installing interpretive signs, or waysides, at more than 100 properties to observe the Civil War Sesquicentennial (2011–2015). Please follow the links below to see the interpretive signs for Baxter Springs Soldiers' Lot.
A National Cemetery System Baxter Springs Soldiers' Lot Visit the Veterans Legacy Program and NCA History Program for additional information. Thank you for your interest.
Nearest cemeteries
The three closest veteran cemeteries to Baxter Springs City Soldiers' Lot (by straight-line distance):
- Fort Scott National Cemetery — Fort Scott, KS (54 mi · open)
- Fayetteville National Cemetery — Fayetteville, AR (75 mi · open)
- Mound City Cemetery Soldiers' Lot — Mound City, KS (77 mi · closed)
Nearby veteran-friendly funeral homes
The following funeral homes within a 50-mile radius of Baxter Springs City Soldiers' Lot have demonstrated a commitment to serving veterans through specialized services, VA benefits coordination, or dedicated honors details.
Derfelt Crematory is a premier funeral home located at 328 East 12th St. in Baxter Springs, KS. The property features well-appointed spaces including funeral home. Professional offerings include visitation, funeral service, and reception, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $1,995. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $2,695, while direct cremation is available from $1,995. The standard basic services fee for the funeral director and staff is $2,895. Additional typical expenses include embalming ($895) and use of facilities for viewing ($495). The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Baptist, Presbyterian, Episcopal, Methodist, Assemblies of God, Catholic, Church of the Nazarene, Pentecostal Church of God, Seventh-day Adventist, and Non-denominational Christian.
Derfelt Funeral Home, Inc. is a premier funeral home located at 1116 South Main St. in Galena, KS. The property features well-appointed spaces including chapel facilities, selection rooms, and common areas. Professional offerings include funeral service, burial, and cremation, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $1,995. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $2,695, while direct cremation is available from $1,995. The standard basic services fee for the funeral director and staff is $2,895. Additional typical expenses include embalming ($895) and use of facilities for viewing ($495). The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Baptist, Presbyterian, Episcopal, Methodist, Assemblies of God, Catholic, Church of the Nazarene, Pentecostal Church of God, Seventh-day Adventist, and Christian Churches and Churches of Christ.
Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 510 South Wabash Street in Altamont, KS. With deep roots in the community, they provide a peaceful and accommodating environment to honor the memory of loved ones. Direct cremation services are provided starting at $2,895.
Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary is a premier funeral home located at 602 Byers Avenue in Joplin, MO. The property features well-appointed spaces including funeral home, reception hall, and columbarium. Professional offerings include visitation, funeral service, and reception, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $1,770. Direct cremation services are provided starting at $1,770. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Catholic.
Parker Mortuary is a premier funeral home located at 1502 South Joplin Avenue in Joplin, MO. With deep roots in the community, they provide a peaceful and accommodating environment to honor the memory of loved ones. Direct cremation services are provided starting at $1,770.
Campbell-Biddlecome Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 1101 Cherokee Avenue in Seneca, MO. The property features well-appointed spaces including historical downtown building and on-site chapel. Professional offerings include cremation, traditional burial, and graveside service, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $3,250. Direct cremation services are provided starting at $2,450. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Baptist, Christian (General), Catholic, Methodist, and Pentecostal.
Mason-Woodard Mortuary & Crematory is a premier funeral home located at 3701 East 7Th Street in Joplin, MO. The property features well-appointed spaces including on-site crematory, space for funeral and memorial services, and reception area. Professional offerings include burial services, cremation services, and specialty funeral services, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $1,195. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $4,645, while direct cremation is available from $1,195.
Hedge-Lewis-Goodwin Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 301 West Broadway in Webb City, MO. The property features well-appointed spaces including funeral home, visitation room, and funeral service room. Professional offerings include personalized services, life tribute videos, and personalized stationery, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors.