History of Pawnee Rock
The City of Pawnee Rock was founded in 1874. It was named from the historic landmark Pawnee Rock nearby. Pawnee Rock was incorporated in 1887.
One-half mile north of U.S. 56 and the town of Pawnee Rock is Pawnee Rock State Historic Site, a monument to travellers on the Santa Fe trail that marks the approximate halfway point on the Santa Fe Trail.