These Historic Towns in Kansas Are Worth Exploring
Kansas, also known as the "Sunflower State," resides in the central Plains region of the United States. The state is famous for its vast open prairies, thriving agriculture industry, and rich historical heritage. Kansas became a state in 1861, playing a vital role in the western migration of pioneer families seeking a fresh start on the American Frontier. Despite the overwhelming challenges of taming a new land, many small towns emerged to become centers of commerce and community for early settlers. Visitors can now explore these historic communities and learn from the inspiring stories of those who embodied the American spirit. While discovering past treasures, travelers will likely find that the same seeds of freedom and hope run deep in the hearts of every Kansas resident they meet.
Abilene
Abilene is a small community in central Kansas that enjoys its legacy as a frontier cattle town and the boyhood home of Dwight D. Eisenhower, the 34th President of the United States. The town was founded in the late 1850s and became more prominent when the Kansas Pacific railroad reached its point. The grassy prairies around the town made Abilene an ideal location to serve as the northern end for cattle drives, as ranchers and cowboys drove countless herds along the Chisholm Trail. Abilene became a lawless frontier town as time passed, attracting legendary gunslingers and outlaws. Wild Bill Hickok served as the town's marshal before moving west to seek his fortune when gold was discovered farther west in Colorado.
Visitors will want to tour the Seeyle Mansion, with its original furnishings and decor. Be sure to ride the Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad for a 2-hour excursion in a 1919 steam-powered locomotive. The Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum are worth exploring to learn about the former President. The museum has over 25,000 square feet of exhibits detailing his life and presidency, including his boyhood home and final resting place.
The historic downtown has numerous shops, boutiques, and restaurants to spend time in. For a great classic midwestern lunch experience, try the chicken fried steak smothered in homemade gravy at Joe Snuffy's Old Fashioned Grill. You can't do better than Amanda's Bakery and Bistro if you prefer a coffee and a delicate piece of bakery perfection.
Scott
Ft. Scott began as a frontier fort in 1842, built to help protect migrating settlers from the Indians in southeast Kansas. For the next two decades, the military would use the fort, first as an outpost and then as a training camp and supply depot during the Civil War. The town's location near the Missouri border made this region susceptible to raiding parties, with constant skirmishes between the army and locals sympathetic to the Southern cause. After the war, the community competed with Kansas City as a hub for railroads pushing west across the Great Plains.
The military fort, now a National Historic Site, still has its original buildings open for tours. Visitors can learn about the fort's rich history and its role in protecting residents. Another unique attraction is the Gordon Parks collection of photography housed on the campus of Ft. Scott Community College. As one of the most groundbreaking photojournalists of the twentieth century, his pictures reflect the harsh realities of the struggle for Civil Rights and race relations during the 1940s - 70s.
The downtown area is easy to navigate, with many turn-of-the-century brick buildings. Enjoy the historic ambiance with modern comforts at the Courtland Hotel and Spa. Try the nostalgic Nu-Cafe (they have excellent broasted chicken) or Sharkey's Pub and Grub right next door for a burger and a brew.
Dodge City
This cowtown in Western Kansas has a reputation for being one of the most lawless places on the American frontier. Dodge City grew into a booming cow town with all kinds of characters who often lived and died with the draw of a gun. Visitors will want to tour historic Front Street and Boot Hill Cemetary to immerse themselves in the Old West experience. Kids will love seeing the wax museum of famous gunslingers and law enforcement officers, like Wyatt Earp, who served as the town's marshall.
The Kansas Teachers Hall of Fame has a wax museum and a restored one-room schoolhouse nearby. During the summer months, ride the historic trolley to explore the path of the Old Santa Fe Trail and listen to the guide's colorful stories of some of the town's more legendary residents.
For lunch or dinner in a historic 1900 mercantile building, try the Cowboy Capital Saloon and Grill. The Dodge City Brewing Company is a craft beer emporium serving homespun brews and delicious brick oven pizza.
Atchison
Home to Benedictine College, Atchison sits about an hour northeast of Topeka, the state's capitol, and deserves praise as the birthplace of Amelia Earhart. The community celebrates her legacy with an annual festival and two museums. The primary museum is at her old childhood home, but a recently opened museum at the local airport houses a replica of the plane she was flying in her attempt to circumnavigate the earth.
Atchison is a historic rail town, and the brick buildings downtown reflect its legacy as a commercial center. The Atchison County Historical Society resides in the old Santa Fe train depot with numerous displays, memorabilia, and artifacts detailing early pioneer life. The Muchnic Art Gallery is a must-visit, supporting local and regional artists. In addition, Atchison has a reputation for being a haunted locale, so if you stay after dark, consider taking a local ghost tour to encounter the spirits.
The best place for a romantic getaway is the Tuck U Inn in the Glick Mansion, with ornate rooms filled with Victorian furnishings. If you need a place to eat, try the Cedar Ridge Restaurant for a family-style meal that will satisfy you. The restaurant is off the beaten path, but their homemade cobbler is worth seeking out.
Lindsborg
Lindsborg is a small town in McPherson County, just a few miles south of Salina. The community is known for its strong Swedish heritage, so much so that many residents labeled the town "Little Sweden, USA." The town celebrates its rich culture with festivals, events, and galleries that showcase its Scandinavian roots. The town is also home to Bethany College, which features the Berger Sandzen Memorial Art Gallery. The Red Barn Studio and Museum showcases the works of Lester Raymer, a former local professional painter and craftsman.
History buffs will want to tour the Old Mill Swedish Heritage Museum with its restored flour mill and many exhibits detailing the stories of pioneer life. Chess enthusiasts will be impressed by the Chess Insitute of the Midwest, where world champion A. Karpov established his first American chess school to train and educate new champions. For an authentic Swedish dinner, try the Crown and Rye, an institution in the community for over fifty years.
Leavenworth
This town was founded around a military outpost called Fort Leavenworth on the Missouri River's west bank. As time passed, the settlement grew, becoming the first town established in Kansas. Leavenworth became a starting point for the Oregon and California Trails as settlers searched for routes to the West. Today, the community boasts several museums that showcase the city's growth and feature memorabilia from its rich history. Visitors can tour the Carroll Mansion, a fully restored 1880s Victorian mansion with beautiful stained glass, furniture, and elegant antiques. The C.W. Parker Carrousel Museum is a great outing, and the Frontier Army Museum tells the story of Ft. Leavenworth as it supported and aided the early pioneers.
Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy Leavenworth Landing Park, which has miles of trails along the river. The downtown district encompasses 28 blocks of historic buildings and has a beautiful collection of galleries, boutiques, and dining establishments. Spend the afternoon wandering through the locally owned shops, where you will find everything from home decor to baked goods and specialty coffees. Be sure to sample the cuisine at the Depot, one of the town's favorite local restaurants.
Medicine Lodge
Medicine Lodge is a town in southcentral Kansas that serves as the county seat of Barber County. The township gets its name from the Kiowa tribe, who believed that the nearby river was a sacred site and constructed a crude lodge made of timber to commemorate the location. In 1867, the Medicine Lodge Peace Treaty was signed by representatives of the US government and Kiowa, Comanche, Plains Apache, Southern Cheyenne, and Southern Arapaho tribes. When settlers began to move into the area, a stockade was built by the residents and state militia.
In addition, the town is the home to Carry Nation, whose temperance movement against the sale of alcohol started in Medicine Lodge. Today, a reproduction of the stockade and the Cary Nation home is open to the public. With the Barber State Fishing Lake nearby, there are plenty of opportunities for outdoor adventurers to fish, camp, hike, and bike on the many trails around the lake. If you visit, take the Gypsum Hills Scenic Byway west out of town, as it is one of the prettiest routes in the state.
The downtown district is a quaint few blocks of historic brick buildings, and many are adorned with exciting murals depicting rural prairie life. One of our favorite places to visit is the Sagebrush Gallery of Western Art, which features the paintings of Earl Kuhn and other contemporary Western artists. For an authentic cowboy experience, check out the Gypsum Hills Trail Rides west of town, where the owners will let you ride the ranch most days of the year (you can even bring your own horse).
As you travel on the roads of Kansas, you'll likely be following the same routes that were taken by pioneers who ventured westward. The small towns you will encounter during your journey still honor the rich legacy of the American frontier with their stories of triumph and tragedy. Whether you are strolling through the cemetery at Boot Hill, experiencing a ride on an old steam locomotive that chugs along the tracks, or simply taking a moment to appreciate a spectacular sunset that sets fire to the horizon, these communities offer precious treasures. You can expect to feel your spirits lifted as you connect with these vast, windswept Plains. The prairie grasses speak to the soul, inspiring travelers towards endless possibilities, just as they did for pioneers who blazed across the land over 150 years ago.
