Big Springs, one of the oldest settlements in Douglas county, is located in the northwestern part of the county 4 miles southwest of Lecompton, from which it has rural free delivery. The settlement was named from the springs in the immediate vicinity. A number of men took up claims near the present village in the fall of 1854 and the following year a postoffice was established with John Chamberlain as postmaster. In July, 1855, religious services were held by a United Brethren minister and within a short time an organization of that denomination was perfected. A store was opened during the summer and several dwellings were erected. On Sept. 5, 1855, a meeting of great political significance took place at this little village—the Big Springs convention (q. v.). Not having a railroad the village has never grown and now consists of three churches, several dwellings, a blacksmith and wagon shop. In 1910 it had a population of 40.