Doniphan County, KS
In thebeginning a series of glaciers covered the land with mountains of ice, carving a landscape of hills and valleys, giving Doniphan County the name of "Little Switzerland. Doniphan County was the first named Kansas county. Founded 140 years ago, Doniphan County and its quiet little towns seem unaffected by the passing of time making it easy to imagine you are in 1856 Kansas once again. Captivated by rolling hills and valleys you can easily envision Indian growth and adventure, when riverboats arrived and departed regularly and business thrived. Bordered on three sides by the Missouri River, the county offered great advantages for markets and profited enormously. River towns sprung up, steamboats supplied the towns and unloaded travelers and freight headed for the Western Interior. Immigrants came from as far away as Switzerland, France and Germany. A French influence is recognized in the extravagant architecture of homes and buildings constructed.
Traveling along K-7 Highway, north of Sparks, imagine the steamboats accepting the challenge of the mighty Missouri as they deliver passengers and goods to the towns along the way. can't you just see the boats docked on the levees? The wagons and people are busy and lively. There is a great hustle and bustle of excitement.
Doniphan County is blessed with rich natural resources, a beautiful landscape, a large river, woods, wildlife and rolling hills. We enjoy what we have and would like to share it with you.
Explore Doniphan County
Piggy Bank Monument
Pete the Pig Monument stands on main street in White Cloud, Kansas. In 1910, ten-year old Wilbur Chapman sold a prized pig to raise money for a leper colony. Coin savings banks were created in the shape of pigs, manufactured, and sold, resulting in the origination of the "Piggy Bank"
White Cloud, KS MonumentsWilbur Chapman home
Built in 1880, this home, listed on the Kansas Historical Registry, belonged to Wilbur Chapman, creator of "Pete the Pig" piggy bank. Please stop and see the Historical Home where Wilbur Chapman lived. In 1910
White Cloud, KS Historic HomesCivil War Monument
A monument at Bellmont Cemetery, considered a Pioneer Cemetery, was dedicated in 1915
Wathena, KS MonumentsMa Hush Kah Museum
Ma Hush Kah Museum in White Cloud was originally a school building for African Americans, built between 1871 and 1872, and costing $12,000 featuring 4
White Cloud, KS MuseumsSelf Guided Byre and Bluff Barn Tour
Take the self guided barn tour to view Byre and Bluff barns. Their scarcity makes them extremely rare. Many are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Troy, KS ToursOld Fashioned Hardware
The old fashioned hardware store on the historic courthouse square in Troy hasn't changed much in over a century. You can still see the original manual operated elevator that continuous to serve the store today.
Troy, KS Historic BuildingsDoniphan County Courthouse
The Courthouse is on the National Historic Register. The beautiful woodwork and floors give the feeling of history as it was lived long ago.
Troy, KS Historic CourthousesTall Oak Sculpture
Mr. Peter Wolf Toth came to Troy to sculpt Kansas' Indian monuments, the twenty-ninth in a series. Mr. Toth's goal in life was to complete at least one sculpture in each of the fifty states. To date, he has done 67
Troy, KS ArtsLewis & Clark Pavilion
The Lewis and Clark expedition arrived in what is now Kansas June 26, 1804, in the North Kansas City area and pushed north along the Missouri River, exploring both sides of the river. They camped in Doniphan County, south of White Cloud on July 6-7
White Cloud, KS Historic MarkersNative American Heritage Museum
The Native American Heritage Museum at Highland Mission Historic Site operates as a Kansas State Historical Society museum featuring Native American culture, history, and folk art. It includes a hands-on center for children and adults, and offers workshops, tours, and a gift shop.
Highland, KS Museums