Ellsworth, Kansas

Ellsworth, Kansas

Established in 1867, Ellsworth became a thriving cowtown in the early 1870s, at one time, eclipsing Abilene as the leading cattle shipping point in Kansas. In 1873, one Ellsworth dry goods company specializing in cowboy related items reported $150,000 worth of business during the five-month season. The creation of Cox's Trail, or the "Ellsworth Cattle Trail", shortened the trip from Texas. Three days, or 35 miles, were saved by using this fork off of the Chisholm Trail.

The plans for Ellsworth were put forth in January 1867. The settlement would be on the western edge of the Fort Harker military reservation. The proximity of the fort offered protection, and the Smoky Hill River nearby offered a ready water supply. However, the river proved to be all too eager to provide water that June. Days of heavy rains caused the river to flood the surrounding area leaving the town under four feet of water.

The town created a "New Addition to Ellsworth" two miles northwest of the original townsite. The town had a North Main Street and South Main Street on opposite sides of the new railroad tracks; the space in-between was known as the Plaza. Businesses were established on both Main Streets, and this area was later referred to as "Snake Row."

Like many cowtowns, Ellsworth gained notoriety as a wild and wicked place. Although Abilene was the first cattle town and Dodge City the last, Ellsworth was know as the "wickedest." One newspaper of the era once stated, "As we go to press, hell is still in session in Ellsworth."

The days of the cattle trade soon faded for Ellsworth. By 1875, most of the cattle market moved south as more railroads were completed. But, Ellsworth had made a reputation for itself and as the last of the Texas longhorns were trailed to Ellsworth, environs settled down to an agriculturally based community.

Today the "plaza", the two-block site of Ellsworth's original commercial district, still remains relatively uncluttered by modern intrusions.

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Attractions near Ellsworth, Kansas

Post Rock Scout Museum
Post Rock Scout Museum

Located in the beautiful Cummins Block Building and listed on the National Registry of Historic Places, the Post Rock ...

Polk Daniels State Lake & Area Fishing

Polk Daniels State Lake - East of town, one of the most beautiful areas is Polk Daniels...

The First National Bank of LeRoy
The First National Bank of LeRoy

The bank, constructed in the late 1800s has been preserved in its original condition and is open for tours....

Self-Guided Walking and Driving Tours

Emporia, founded in 1857, includes several sites of national and local significance. These tours provide a view of Emporia fr...

Pratt Wildlife Center & Aquarium

Housed in an 80 year old buidling, the Education Center contains numerous wildife mounts, dioramas, 12 400-gallon aquariums, ...

Col. William Newton Kinslow
Col. William Newton Kinslow

When Col. William Newton Kinslow died in Beloit on Oct. 18, 1948, many attended his funeral, but no one bought him a head sto...

A. Wayland Home

The Wayland home was built in 1887, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was built by the ...

Skyline Scenic Drive

A must see drive where one can view Mill Creek and the Flint Hills. This drive is considered one of the most beautiful in the...

Sabetha Historic Library
Sabetha Historic Library

The Sabetha Library was built in the 1930s as one of the WPA projects. ...

City Park Historic Displays
City Park Historic Displays

After the Union Pacific Railroad converted to diesel power in the early 1950s, Marysville, a crew-change point, asked for and...

Upcoming Events near Ellsworth, Kansas

Coca-Cola Days

Start Date: Fri August, 16th
Plainville Coca-Cola Days is held around the beginning of school each August. The promotion encourages local purchases by of...

The Annual Fall Gallery Walk will feature exhibitions by various artists in a number of downtown and area Hays locations. Come see the local as well as regional talent display their art. A variety of visual and performing arts are demonstrated throughout the community. From paintings and photography to live shows and music, the Hays Arts Council’s Art Walk will be sure to entertain everyone who comes for the event. All ages are welcome. Free Admission! Location 112 East 11th Street Hays Arts Center Hays, KS 67601 Phone: (785) 625-7522
Fall Gallery Walk

Start Date: Fri August, 23rd
The Annual Fall Gallery Walk will feature exhibitions by various artists in a number of downtown and area Hays locations. Com...

Midget Nationals Car Races

Start Date: Fri August, 2nd
The largest and richest event for midget racing nationwide, the races are held on the world's fastest half-mile dirt oval rac...

Coed Softball Tournament

Start Date: Fri August, 9th
Coed Softball Tournament...

Celebrate the German heritage of this Volga German community with polka music, concerts, parade, talent show, free swimming, food booths, kids pedal pull and fireworks show. Event features free entertainment on Friday and Saturday night with national recording artists and local bands. Saturday includes a 5K Run/Walk, parade, traditional German Welcome, horseshoe tournament, bingo, pinochle, beer and food booths, polka music, German singers, talent show and fireworks. Various vendors will be set up and food booths will have a variety of local favorites including dumplings, brauts, beirocks, galushkies and green bean dumpling soup. Saturday afternoon Polka Mass at 4 pm is a traditional Catholic service with polka music and German singers. FREE - All are invited to attend. Email – marome@ruraltel.net
Herzogfest

Start Date: Fri August, 9th
Celebrate the German heritage of this Volga German community with polka music, concerts, parade, talent show, free swimming, ...

Special holiday open house held during the Frost Fest community celebration in downtown Hays. Christmas Open House at the Ellis County Historical Society museum. Enjoy the Christmas season at this free event and view the newest museum exhibits in the galleries while listening to live holiday music. The children can make a craft in the Discovery Center, while you are Christmas shopping in the Museum Store. Refreshments will be served and hayrack rides through the downtown area of Hays will be available. 7 p.m-9 p.m. .
Christmas Open House

Start Date: Fri December, 6th
Special holiday open house held during the Frost Fest community celebration in downtown Hays. Christmas Open House at the El...

Join us for our Christmas open house. Experience an old-fashioned Christmas at the Fort as it would have been decorated in the late 1800’s. Discover how soldiers and civilians who lived at the fort spent their Christmas holiday. In the officers’ quarters, visitors can sample fresh-baked, old fashioned chocolate chunk cookies and the children will receive a bag of goodies from Father Christmas who will be seated next to the large Victorian Christmas tree. There will be horse-drawn wagon rides around the fort grounds and frontiersmen will be serving hot spiced cider to help warm up the wagon riders. Near the blockhouse, soldiers will be making hot fried apples over a campfire. The buildings will be decorated with homemade ornaments, popcorn garland, candles, luminaries, kerosene lanterns and decorations of the 1860’s. Visitors are asked to go to the Visitor Center to begin their tour. Admission is $3 per person, children 5 and under free. 785-625-6812 Email - thefort@kshs.org http://www.kshs.org/fort_hays
Annual Christmas Past Celebration at Fort Hays

Start Date: Fri December, 6th
Join us for our Christmas open house. Experience an old-fashioned Christmas at the Fort as it would have been decorated in t...

Fort Harker Days

Start Date: Fri July, 12th
This event relives the days of Forts, soldiers and Indians. There will be a fun run, race, parade, carnival and so much more....

Fort Harker Days

Start Date: Fri July, 12th
Friday: 5pm Sand Volleyball; 5-7pm Hamburger Feed, Ft. Harker Commanding Officers Quarters 785-472-3417. Saturday: 6:30a...

McCracken Rodeo

Start Date: Fri July, 12th
Come join the fun at Jack Wilson Mustang Arena for the top rated KPRA sanctioned rodeo in the state. McCracken is a small ...

Ellsworth Map

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