Harvey County, KS
Wilkommen!The Harvey County area boasts one of the largest Mennonite populations in the country. Whil bonnets, beards, and buggies have been forsaken for a more modern lifestyle, the Mennonites today, like their ancestors before them, are warmhearted courteous and friendly, more liberal than their Amish cousins and well-known for their hospitality and good cooking.The Mennonites left Russia for fear of religious persecution in the 1870s. Among them was one of Kansas' famous Mennonite immigrants, Bernhard Warkentin, whose letters home described the fertile Kansas prairie and the promise it held for farming the "Turkey Red" hard winter wheat. His letters persuaded moter than 5,000 Mennonites to settle in Kansas.
Entire congregations left Russia and came to Kansas. These hardworking farmers broke the virgin sod with wheat that graced the steppes of Russia. Today, the prairies still wave with the golden grain that makes Kansas the "Breadbasket of the World."
Today Mennonite influence is clearly visible. Harvey County is home to nearly two dozen Mennonite Churches, two colleges, a nationally recognized mental health center, the Mennonite General Conference national headquarters, several halfway houses and Mennonite Press. Each were founded and are supported by Mennonites. Come and visit our museums, sample our ethnic foods and enjoy our unique festivals.
Let us share our heritage with you!
Explore Harvey County
Hesston City Parks
Lion's Club Children's Park - This park is one of Hesston's most beautiful and includes attractive landscaping, new playground equipment and shaded picnic areas. This park has recently been renovated by the Lions Club and City of Hesston to include:
Military Park
One of several parks in Newton, the Military Park is exceptional because it is home to Santa Fe steam engine #1880 (a Prairie class 2-6-2) and a Civil War-era cannon. It is also the location of the public library.
Newton, KS ParksCarriage Factory Gallery & Park
In 1883-1884, one of Newton's largest industries was established, J.J. Krehbiel's Carriage Factory. Mr. Krehbiel was one of the founders of Bethel College. In 1993
Newton, KS ArtsKansas Learning Center for Health
The Kansas Learning Center for Health is the first rural health museum in the world with 23 exhibits dedicated to helping educate children about their bodies and good health. The Center'
Halstead, KS Learning CentersWedgewood Golf Course
Operated by the city of Halstead, Wedgewood is an excellent nine-hole, grass green golf course with cement cart paths located just north of town.
Halstead, KS Golf CoursesNewton Station
The Newton Station, completed in 1930, was built during the Depression for 350,000. Modeled after Shakespeare's house at Stratford-on-Avon, the Newton Station was home to a Harvey House between 1930 and 1955
Newton, KS Historic BuildingsHarvey County West Park
This park rests along the banks of the Arkansas River. Picnic grounds, shelters, and restrooms are available at the park. You can also hike along a 1/2
Halstead, KS RecreationRiverside Park
Halstead is proud of its city parks, one of which has a "Hollywood" connection. The famous 1955 MGM movie,"Picnic," starring Kim Novak, William Holden and Cliff Robertson, was filmed primarily in Halstead's Riverside Park, located at the river confluence that marks the city's earliest beginnings.
Halstead, KS RecreationHarvey County Historical Museum and Library
The Harvey County historical Museum and Libraryi is housed in a former Carnegie Library that served Newton and Harvey County residents until 1973. Completed in 1904, the library was built by a gift from Andrew Carnegie and is the oldest public building in town. * Harvey County Hall:
Newton, KS MuseumsMennonite Settler Statue
The tallest, sturdiest Mennonite in Kansas stands seventeen feet tall in the Athletic Park. He is the Mennonite Settler Statue built in 1942
Newton, KS LandmarksCamp Hawk
The 43 acre park contains a 4 acre pond stocked with channel catfish, crappie, largemouth bass and sunfish. Park facilities include an enclosed shelter house (available by reservation) which contains a kitchenette, restrooms, fireplace and a large meeting room for 100
Newton, KS RecreationDyck Arboretum of the Plains
The Dyck Arboretum of the Plains is an outdoor education facility with a unique mission--"to foster an appreciation of the natural beauty of Kansas."
Hesston, KS Arboretums