[1] The land the KSSB sits on was donated to the city of Wyandotte upon the death of a Native American man, William Johnson.

In 1863, the city leased the land to the state of Kansas provided it would be used as a "blind asylum".

Local newspapers advertised the school under the name "Asylum for the Blind" and 11 students had applied by April 23, 1868.

Other historical accounts cite the school opening in October 1867 (when the first building was completed) or September 1868.

Governor Samuel J. Crawford appointed a Board of Trustees for the asylum and hired W. H. Sawyer as the superintendent.