Marshall County, KS
Marshall County is rich in history with eleven sites on the National Historic Register. It is crossed by eight historic trails, including the Oregon Trail, the Pony Express Trail, the Military Trail, Overland (Stage) Trail, Mormon Trail, Otoe Trail, Pike's Peak-California Trail and St. Joseph-California Trail. It is also crossed by the railroad, which entered the county in the 1860's. It is estimated the westward migration over twenty-three years saw 500,000 follow these trails. The town of Frankfort is located on one of the longest Indian Trails in the United States. Blue Rapids is home of some of the purest gypsum mined in the world, and host to the 1913 World Tour, Chicago White Sox and New York Giants game. In 1851, Francis J. (Frank) Marshall of Weston, Missouri arrived at the bank of the Big Blue River. He came to establish a trading post and to operate a ferry. On November 11, 1854, he opened the first civilian post office in the territory of Kansas. Marshall lent his name to the county and Marysville, the county seat, was named to honor his wife.
Prairie grass along the valleys and gentle slopes of Marshall County were transformed by immigrants into fertile acres of corn, milo, wheat, alfalfa and soybeans. Descendants of the first Hereford cattle brought into the county from England still are bred here, along with large herds of Angus and dairy cattle.
Explore Marshall County
Country Club Lake
Country Club Lake offers a small playground, a sandy area, fishing and is a great area for kite flying!
Marysville, KS RecreationHistoric Trails Park
Historic Trails Park recognizes the Trails that merged at this point because of the ability to cross the river on the ferry. Trail traffic often crossed a low water ford north of this park bringing westbound travelers through this very spot on the south bank of the Blue River. Marshall'
Marysville, KS Pioneer LifeHistoric Library
The Blue Rapids Public Library, second site in Marshall County chosen for the National Register of Historic Buildings, was built in 1875 for a library and has served for that purpose ever since. The library has existed in one location longer than any other library in the state.
Blue Rapids, KS National RegisterGypsum Plant
In 1871, Judge J.V. Coon of Elyria, Ohio, visited Blue rapids and took samples of gypsum back to Ohio for testing. It was found to be suitable for the manufacturing of plaster of paris. In 1872, he and a brother returned and set up the first machinery for processing gypsum. In the early 1900
Blue Rapids, KS ToursMarysville Country Club
Course Access: Private
Holes: 9
Reserve Advance Tee Times:
Holm Log Cabin
The two room Holm cabin was built by Swedish pioneers in approximately 1876 of hand hewn logs of oak and door frames of walnut. The cabin was lived in until about 1981.
Blue Rapids, KS Pioneer LifePony Express Original Home Station #1
Built in 1859 by Joseph Cottrell, the Pony Express Barn Museum is the oldest building in Marshall County. Too, it is the only original home station along the Pony Express route at its original site. The Pony Express System was inaugurated April 3, 1860
Marysville, KS Pony ExpressHistoric Courthouse Museum
One of Marysville's great old landmarks is the Historic Marshall County Courthouse. Built in 1891, the brick-faced Romanesque gem has columns of polished red granite. "Justice" stands out in terra-cotta in cornices above the second-floor windows. It is listed on the
Marysville, KS MuseumsDoll House Museum
Enjoy a nationally recognized collection of Dolls, Indians, Toys and History, stretching from antique to the present time and all appearing in storytelling antics. The "Doll Museum comes with it's own unique Story Telling Experience." Over 1,500
Marysville, KS MuseumsPony Express Bronze Horse & Rider
The bronze Pony Express Horse & Rider are located at the Pony Express Plaza, between Broadway & Highway 36 at 7th Street. The park is currently under construction, due to be finished this summer. The Pony Express Horse &
Marysville, KS Pony ExpressHistoric Homes
A variety of beautiful Victorian Homes. Powell Home (1895) on National Historic Register, Hall Home, Thorne Home, Thomas Home, and Virgin Home. Tours available.
Waterville, KS Historic Buildings