When the wagon trains turned south at Chouteau's Island from the Santa Fe Trail, to go down to the Cimarron River at Wagon Bed Springs, they skirted the west side of small, very deep lake called Clear Lake. It was about fifty feet in diameter, and, at one time, it was sounded to the depth of 250 feet without finding any bottom. When the wagons passed this point they followed Bear Creek Pass through the sandhills.
Lakin originated as one of the early stops on the Santa Fe Railroad from Dodge City to Colorado in 1872. This depot, constructed in 1876, replaced the original boxcar depot. The depot was moved to the museum site and restored in 1984. Mr. James Thomas, grandson of the O'
Lakin, KS Railroad HistoryThe Columbian Schoolhouse, built in 1893, was named after the Columbian Exposition held in Chicago. Later shortened to Columbia, the school conducted its last class approximately 1945. This one room school was moved to the museum site from 15 miles north of Lakin and restored in 1984.
Lakin, KS Historic SchoolhousesThe Kearny County Historical Society has purchased the old, 12-sided barn on the west edge of Lakin. It was restored at its present site, and then moved to a foundation at the Museum Complex in 2001. The barn was built in 1909
Lakin, KS Historic BuildingsThe course, 9 holes with grass greens, was one of the first in southwest Kansas with an underground sprinkler system and bluegrass fairways. It\'s located at Louck\'s Park.
Lakin, KS Golf CoursesThe Lakin Christian Church was organized in 1901 in the old courthouse building, and the existing building was dedicated in 1908.
The church is made of concrete, is nearly square, and has a splendid seating capacity.
Lincoln and Buffalo Streets
Lakin, KS Historic ChurchesLocated along the River Road which follows the south side of the Arkansas River, the American Discovery Trail (ADT) passes cl...
A short distance east of Point of Rocks is Middle Springs, a small oasis on the prairie where water rises from an ever-flowin...