In 1864, the ford across the Blue River was near where the bridge to the north now stands, and Blue River road did not exist then. On October 22, 1864, Kansas Militia defending this ford to prevent crossing by Confederate General Price withdrew to the north and west when Price crossed downstream. On the 23rd, Price's wagon train and most of his army crossed here, retreating south on what was then called the Harrisonville Road. Late that morning a unit of McNeil's Union Brigade was on the bluff to the southeast but did not fire on the enemy.
