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Cherryvale, Kansas

Cherryvale, Kansas

In May, 1871, the abundance of wild cherry trees along the creeks and in the woodlands of this area influenced the railroad settlers to name the town site Cherryvale. Its being, its growth, and its history all have been dramatically linked to the rise and fall of the railroad industry. It's ironic that the last commercial passenger train left Cherryvale in April, 1971 ... one hundred years after the railroad designated the site for the city of Cherryvale. Just as it did in the 1800's, the railroad continues to have a major influence in Cherryvale. The South, Kansas and Oklahoma Railroad currently uses the north-south railroad tracks through Cherryvale with several trains carrying freight and cargo through town.

At the beginning of the 1900's, Cherryvale emerged as a leader in the brick industy. It was said that Cherryvale made the finest bricks in the world, using shale mounds around the city to provide the raw material needed for the bricks. Each brick was rumored to be able to withstand 85 tons of pressure without any injury to the brick. At one time, six brick plants were in operation, turning out an estimated 500,000 bricks a day. Walk along preserved brick sidewalks and residential streets in Kansas, Oklahoma, and Missouri and you will find the bricks stamped "Cherryvale" still in working condition.

Since Cherryvale had six brick factories, most of the streets, sidewalks, and downtown buildings were constructed from these bricks. 1882 saw the advent of sun-dried brick streets. The wood planked sidewalks were replaced in 1898 with kiln bricks from the Corbin plant and later, in the early 1900s, the brick sidewalks were widened to sixteen feet. Today, the remaining buildings of downtown Cherryvale remain the same as built at the turn-of-the-century.

Notable people of Cherryvale include Vivian Vance of the "I Love Lucy" show, Louise Brooks, silent screen star, and Frank Bellamy, author of the Pledge of Allegiance, who is buried at Fairview Cemetery marked appropriately with ... the American Flag.

Whether you are here on business or for pleasure, Cherryvale "Welcomes You," and hopes you will take advantage of her many assets and return again and again.

Attractions and Upcoming Events

World War I Cannon

The cannon located north of the Veterans Memorial is one of the first things to attract attention in Logan Memorial Park. The first cannon was made by Henry A. (Daddy) Diltz in the early 1900

Cherryvale, KS Monuments

Lakeview Country Club & Resort

The Lakeview Country Golf Club & Resort is on 150-arcres, with a 50-acre fresh water lake that was at one time Cherryvale's municipal waterworks. It is open 7 days a week, with a 9-hole golf course featuring a putting green, driving range and pro shop.

Cherryvale, KS Golf Courses

Logan Memorial Veteran's Park

This memorial park has served Cherryvale since 1881 when the Leavenworth, Lawrence & Galveston Railroad offered the six-acre tract to the city. In 1895, Civil War Veterans held their first "Old Soldiers' Southern Kansas Reunion right here in Logan Park, Cherryvale, Kansas. This "Reunion Association"

Cherryvale, KS Memorials

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

Vivian Vance Birthplace

I Love Lucy fans know Vivian Vance as Lucy's neighbor and cohort "Ethel Mertz." Born Vivian Roberta Jones in Cherryvale, Kansas, on July 26 in 1909

Cherryvale, KS Famous People

Things to do near Cherryvale, KS

Pittsburg Memorial Auditorium & Convention Center

The Pittsburg Memorial Auditorium and Convention Center was dedicated on November 20th, 1925 as a Shrine Mosque. The outer st...

Oswego Golf Club

A spacious, well-kept nine-hole course open to the public....

Lebo City Lake

The Lebo City lake was rebuilt in 1997. Originally constructed as the citys' water supply, the lake is being developed as a r...

William L. Abernathy Science Education Center

The Science Education Center was constructed with the mission of increasing student interest and achievement in the areas of ...