LASR.net Homepage




Menu


Cherryvale, Kansas

The Cherryvale Museum is itself the dream of a woman who lived here when she was a little girl. Opal Conduitte moved with her parents to Florida, and when she died in 1964, her husband, Clarence E. Evans, notified the people of Cherryvale that his wife had willed valuable antique pieces of glass and china and early Americana to found a museum. The 1927 SWBT office building was purchased with funds from a membership drive.

One of the prized items include the Martha Washington plate given to Martha by the Dutch East India Company when herMartha Washington Plate husband, George Washington, was president of the United States. The only other surviving piece frin a set of12 can be found in the Smithsonian Institute. The infamous "Bloody Benders" murder hammers and other Bender memorabilia are also displayed. The front room of the museum is known as the Opal Evans Parlor. The room at the rear is called the Hibbard memorial Room and displays items once belonging to the S.L. Hibbard family.

Over the years, gifts to the museum have been many. In addition to the fine collections, the Museum also displays a clock with wooden works, a spinning wheel, framed sketches of the Bender Family, antique furniture, a silver water tanker and tumbler, vintage clothing, many Cherryvale photographs and much more.

Special exhibits are shown monthly throughout the season. To celebrate Cherryvale's 100th birthday in 1971, a "Time Capsule" was encased outside to be opened during the 200th year celebration in 2071.

Attractions and Upcoming Events

Tanko Lake

Santa Fe Tanko Lake was built in 1870 to draw fresh water for the Leavenworth, Lawrence & Galveston Railway steam locomotives and later for the Atchison Topeka Santa Fe Railway's steam locomotives. The 45-acre lake was deeded by the Santa Fe Railway to the city as a New Years gift in 1954

Cherryvale, KS Recreation

Santa Fe Depot

The Santa Fe Depot remains as an icon to the bygone days of railroading with memories of steam locomotives, doodlebugs and cabooses. Built in 1910, it is the only depot of this style left standing on the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway'

Cherryvale, KS Railroad History

Louise Brooks Birthplace

Born Mary Louise Brooks on November 14, 1906

Cherryvale, KS Famous People

Leatherock Hotel and Museums

The Leatherock Hotel is the only local hotel left among the 19 hotels built in Cherryvale's bygone era. This 1912 historic hotel, adjacent to the crossing tracks of AT&

Cherryvale, KS Museums

Bloody Bender Family 1871-1873

Ruthless Keepers of the Devil's Inn "Near here are the Bender Mounds, named for the infamous Bender family, John, his wife, son, and daughter Kate, who settled here in 1871

Cherryvale, KS Notables

Things to do near Cherryvale, KS