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Sumner County, KS

Sumner CountyNestled within Sumner County are seven cities brimming with popular attractions, historic sites, cultural activities, festivals and rodeos. For its 25,000 residents, Sumner County boasts excellent recreational facilities, museums sharing the frontier spirit, many special events and several historical sites listed on the National Registry of Historical Places.

Sumner County's rich history began when Texans drove their cattle over the Chisholm Trail to the railroad station in Abilene. The Texas drovers were suprised and delighted to find full streams and rich grasslands for their herds. News spread about the opportunities, and the homesteaders made their way to this area. Wellington was designated as the permanent county seat in 1872.

The county's heritage included violent murders, grasshopper plagues, floods and droughts, and threats of Indian raids. Flour mills were erected and the first railroads were built to help market the county's huge wheat yields.

It's easy to get to Sumner County by auto on I-35 north/south or 160 east/west. Commercial air service is only 30 minutes away in Wichita.

Explore Sumner County

Central Park

Central Park at the west end of Spring Avenue, is two blocks square, and contains facilities often used by citizens and visitors in the community.

At the end of the 19

Conway Springs, KS Recreation

Conway Springs Churches

Five churches are active in the Conway Springs community: First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), First Baptist Church, St. Joseph Catholic Church, First Presbyterian Church, and the United Methodist Church.

Conway Springs, KS Historic Churches

The Chisholm Trail Museum

Wellington's Chisholm Trail Museum contains over 40 rooms filled with over 20,000 artifacts and pictures, most collected locally, some dating back to the Civil War and the early days cattle trail that passed west of Wellington.

The building itself is a reinforced concrete structure built in 19

Wellington, KS Museums

State Bank Building

The State Bank had its beginning with the town. It was founded as a private bank by James M. Harper, G. Douglas and J.C. Lutz. The three partners were rated with net assets of over $200,000. Mr. Harper was in charge of the bank, the first in the new town. Mr. Dengler died early in the bank'

Conway Springs, KS Historic Buildings

Carnegie Library

On April 1, 1914, at the spring election the voters approved the support of a public library by a vote of 3-1. In May, 1914, the Wellington City Library board held it first meeting and voted to begin the process of erecting a library building. On April 10, 1915

Wellington, KS Carnegie Libraries

Historic Walking Tour

Caldwell, the Border Queen, has seen wild days as a cowtown beside the Chisholm trail, a brief period of booming times during the Oklahoma Land Rush days, and quiet prosperity based on the vast grain fields of Sumner County.

Caldwell, KS Tours

Cranmer House

One Conway Springs home is of special interest because it was built by the founder of the town, Hiram M. Cranmer, and was one of the first larger homes in the community. Mr. Cranmer built his first home in what was to become Conway Springs - a sod house located at what is now 217

Conway Springs, KS Historic Homes

Wellington Parks

Woods Park - 183 acres for fishing, camping, and picnicking.

Sellers Park - baseball field with covered stadium, football field and stadium.

Worden Park - 14

Wellington, KS Recreation

Carnegie Library

The Caldwell Carnegie Library was one of 59 public libraries constructed in Kansas. Built in 1912, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Buildings.

Caldwell, KS Carnegie Libraries

The Old Mill

The Old Mill was built in 1874 by D.N. Cook and John Hewitt. A 3 mile race was hand-dug parallel to the Arkansas River which produced the electricity necessary to run the mill. A dam was built across the river to help the mill grow. In 1910

Oxford, KS Historic Mills

Caldwell Cemetery

See the tombstones of Cadwell's notorious ancestors in Caldwell Cemetery. George Wood, husband of Mag Wood, were the owners of the famous Red Light Saloon.

Caldwell, KS Cemeteries

"Talking Tombstones Tour"

During the "Talking Tombstones Tour", some of Caldwell's infamous cowtown characters"come back" to tell their stories at their real graves.

Caldwell, KS Tours

Explore Sumner County