Tonganoxie was named after a Delaware Indian, Chief Tonganoxie. The Chief Tonganoxie Lodge, which was built in 1835, was a stop over for mail and passengers traveling through the area. Eventually the Government took over the land and sold it to the Union Pacific Railroad. The Tonganoxie area is located along the route from Lawrence to Fort Leavenworth. The town was actually established in 1866 after Magdalena Bury bought 40 acres from the Union Pacific and has it platted. Several of the town's early settlers wanted to name the City Buryville, but Mrs. Bury convinced them to use Chief Tonganoxie's name. According to the County Courthouse records, Tonganoxie was established officially on July 26, 1866. The forty acre plat (original town) includes First Street, south to Fourth Street, then Pleasant Street on the east to Green Street on the west.
Read the Kansas roadside marker located at the south edge of Tonganoxie about Chief Tonganoxie.
The Laming Ford Agency - The Laming Ford dealership was located on the northwest corner of Fourth and Delaware Streets. It was built in about 1920.
Bill Ridgeway on a muddy Fourth St. in about 1912. Fourth St. was paved in 1916. Mr. Ridgeway had a horse drawn dray service. He picked up goods from the depots and delivered them to stores and homes. He moved freight, coal, lumber and other commodities from 1906 to 1938.
The Old Chief Tonganoxie Pool - The Chief Tonganoxie swimming pool was built in 1925 and was enjoyed until 2007 when it was demolished to make room for the new water park that opened in July 2008.
Chief Tonganoxie Lodge, built in 1835. This photo was taken in 1910. This lodge and tavern stood north and east of Tonganoxie. It served as a stage coach stop and trading post which became the community of Tonganoxie. By 1845 a regular stage run was being made from Ft. Leavenworth to Ft. Scott through Lawrence. The Tonganoxie stop was made at the Chief's tavern where mail and passengers were accommodated.
About 
The Laming Ford Agency - The Laming Ford dealership was located on the northwest corner of Fourth and Delaware Streets. It was built in about 1920.
Bill Ridgeway on a muddy Fourth St. in about 1912. Fourth St. was paved in 1916. Mr. Ridgeway had a horse drawn dray service. He picked up goods from the depots and delivered them to stores and homes. He moved freight, coal, lumber and other commodities from 1906 to 1938.
The Old Chief Tonganoxie Pool - The Chief Tonganoxie swimming pool was built in 1925 and was enjoyed until 2007 when it was demolished to make room for the new water park that opened in July 2008. 
Chief Tonganoxie Lodge, built in 1835. This photo was taken in 1910. This lodge and tavern stood north and east of Tonganoxie. It served as a stage coach stop and trading post which became the community of Tonganoxie. By 1845 a regular stage run was being made from Ft. Leavenworth to Ft. Scott through Lawrence. The Tonganoxie stop was made at the Chief's tavern where mail and passengers were accommodated.