Marion County, KS
You will soon discover some of the best kept secrets in the Heartland!
Each community in Marion County has a unique heitage, which you may share and experience at any of the many museums, restaurants, craft shops and other attractions throughout the country.
Marion County is located at the center of it all, in the middle of Kansas in the central United States.
In the 1860's, Marion County extended west all the way to the Colorado Territory line!. Today those borders have been reduced, but Marion County Still offers plenty of territory for tourism and recreation!
Marion County is the only location in the United States where the Santa Fe Trail and Chisholm Trail cross each other's paths. Visitors may track the Santa Fe Trail in northern Marion County, near Lost Springs, Romona, Tampa and Durham.
Cowboys herded longhorns from Texas along the famous Chisholm Trail, located in the western part of the county near Goessel, Lehigh, Hillsboro and Durham.
In southern Marion County, the towns of Florence and Peabody were founded along the route of the Santa Fe Railroad.
Old Indian trails cross through the county, as well. Many artifacts continue to be discovered in several locations.
Explore Marion County
Antique Fountain
This ornate fountain was built in 1884 and is located in Central Park.
Marion, KS ArtsElgin House Apartments
The Elgin House apartments was originally a 42 room hotel with a dining room that seated 80 guests, and provided billiard and card rooms. It was built in 1886 of native stone, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Marion, KS Historic HotelsHill School Building
The Hill School building is the oldest building in the state of Kansas in continuous educational use. Built in 1873 of native stone, it is listed on the National Historic Register.
Marion, KS Historic SchoolhousesPresbyterian Church
The distinction of being the oldest church organization in Marion County belongs to the Presbyterian Church of Marion, which is also listed on the State Register of Historic Buildings. The native stone used to build this structure was cut in 1872
Marion, KS Historic ChurchesBurns Community Museum
The Community Museum is housed in the former Burns Union School built in 1904 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The school was the first consolidated grade and high school in Kansas.
Burns, KS MuseumsPeabody Printing Museum
The Peabody Printing Museum is a collection of hot type equipment dating from 1870 to 1920. Not only is this Museum an attraction for those visiting Peabody, it also serves as a memorial to the thousands of "ink-stained wretches"
Peabody, KS MuseumsPeabody Driving Tour
The Peabody Driving Tour takes you beyond historic main street to view 27 beautiful works of architecture in churches and homes of the founding families dating from 1877, and then onto City Park, site of the 1885
Peabody, KS ToursFriesen Dutch Windmill
The mill is an authentic replica built to specifications of the original 1876, Jacob Friesen Mill built by Mennonite immigrants. Authentic down to the square wooden pegs, this working mill uses wind power to grind whole wheat flour.
Hillsboro, KS Historic MillsMarion Cemetery
A unique monument of great interest in the Marion Cemetery is that of Rueben Riggs. It stands in honor of a man who did not make any major historic contributions, but who is remembered for showing kindness to other people.
Marion, KS CemeteriesMennonite Heritage Museum
The Mennonite Heritage Museum Complex was extablished in 1974 to preserve the artifacts from early households, farms, and community institutions and tell the story of the Mennonite families who left Russia in 1874 to make Kansas their home. The Museum Complex includes eight buildings: The
Goessel, KS MuseumsHistoric Mennonite Brethren Church
This is the oldest Mennonite Brethren church building in the United States. Built in 1893, it was the first classroom of Tabor College, a Mennonite Brethren liberal arts college. The Mennonite Brethren Church is one of several distinct denominational families within the larger Mennonite/
Hillsboro, KS Historic Churches