Little Ozarks, Kansas
Spring bursts forth in Southeast Kansas as the trees and meadows come alive. The shades of green, frame the first flowers of the season in their yellow, red, purple and brilliant whites. Community festivals across the region celebrate this new birth recognizing cherry blossoms, blues, redbuds and drama.
It's also time to get out your pole and head to the water for some good old fishin'. You'll come away feeling relaxed and refreshed after a weekend surrounded by still clear water and fresh air.
Explore historic buildings, bridges and museums as you make your way through this unique region with a new discovery just around the bend.
Explore Little Ozarks
Woodson County Historical Museum
Woodson County Historical MuseumOne of the oldest remaining buildings in Yates Center (built in 1877-78)
Yates Center, KS MuseumsBlack Dog Trail Marker
Located on the grounds of the Historical Museum, the marker commemorates the Black Dog Trail opened in 1803 by Chief Black Dog ( Manka - Chonka) and his band of Osage Indians who had a village nearby where springs once flowed freely.
Baxter Springs, KS Historical MarkersJones Park
Jones Park is located on Getz Street across the street from the Community Center. This park offers a playground, picnic shelter, basketball court, automated pitching cage and a 2 court tennis court.
New Strawn, KS ParksMarais des Cygnes Massacre Historic Site
The historic site tells of the bloodiest episode in the "Bleeding Kansas" period. On May 19, 1858, 30 pro-slavery men crossed the Kansas border south of the Marais des Cygnes River. They rounded up 11
La Cygne, KS BattlesitesIndependence Public Library
The Independence Public Library is still located at the corner of Maple and Fifth, in the structure as it was built by the Carnegie Foundation in 1907. The Library currently houses 61,700 volumes of print and non-print materials, with a patron registration of 9,880
Independence, KS Carnegie LibrariesTed Watts Sports Art Gallery
Nationally acclaimed sports artist, Ted Watts, maintains a studio here and tours may be arranged. Sports Illustrated described Watts as "one of the fastest-rising sports illustrators in the country."
Oswego, KS ArtsFort Blair Site
Baxter Springs was a stopping place on the old Military Road serving Army forts which protected the preCivil War West from "hostile" Indians. It wasn't until 1862
Baxter Springs, KS FortsGregg Theatre
The theater, reminiscent of days gone by, shows first run movies on weekends and is the home of a talented local community theater group, Howard County Players which produces two to three performances during the year.
Sedan, KS TheatresOswego Murals
National Patriotic Themes - This mural is painted on a side building behind the Visitor Center Caboose at Hiways 59 and 96. It was painted in 1992 by Mary Faye (Casey)
Oswego, KS ArtsCherryvale Museum
The Cherryvale Museum is itself the dream of a woman who lived here when she was a little girl. Opal Conduitte moved with her parents to Florida, and when she died in 1964
Cherryvale, KS Museums