KINSLEY — Robert (Bob) Button, native of Great Bend, was posthumously awarded the 2022 Faye Anderson Award on Jan. 23 from the Wet/Dry Routes Chapter of the Santa Fe Trail Association when it met in Kinsley. Accepting the award was his son Robert (Roann) Button.

Bob was a farmer with a passion for archeology and history of Indigenous Americans, the Santa Fe Trail, Walnut Creek Crossing (including trading ranches, stream crossings, and Fort Zarah), Medicine Lodge Peace Treaty site, Fort Larned, and related areas. His research and field work were meticulous and professional even though he was not formally trained. 

He was an artist, and his wood carvings, especially of indigenous people, are remarkable creations. Collections of his research materials are held at the Barton County Historical Society, Santa Fe Trail Center, Kansas State Historical Society and other institutions.

Button was always willing to share his research and knowledge, took interested people to historical and archeological sites, and helped other researchers with what he had learned. His work is still helping answer questions; for example, his location of Zebulon M. Pike’s campsite at present Great Bend is currently being used for the feasibility study of Pike’s route for inclusion in the National Trails System as the Pike National Historic Trail.