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Seneca, Kansas

Seneca, Kansas

A ride down Main Street in Seneca displays its rich heritage. The street itself is one of the few left in the Midwest that is still paved with brick. Many of the buildings lining this street and elsewhere in the town, are rich with historical lore. Their facades reveal dates of establishments from the 1800s and many others attest to their use at the turn of the century.

J.B. Ingersoll, an early settler, chose this area to stake his claim in the winter of 1857-58. In one of the logs on his house "Rock Castle" was inscribed: thus, Seneca was first known as "Rock Castle." It was changed to Seneca when the town company took over the claim from Ingersoll. It is thought that Seneca was named after an Ohio town.

The growth of Seneca was influenced by its being on the routes of several major trails. Seneca was also fortunate enough to have a railroad line starting in 1870.

Seneca's lore also includes a story of gold buried just north of town by two young easterners during the gold rush days. The fate of the treasure still remains a mystery.

A ride through the streets in town gives a glimpse into history as well as a look at the present. One might notice the huge well in the city park, the second largest hand dug well in the state, or the stone marker on Main Street commemorating the Pony Express' route through here. The Nemeha River which flows North, buried gold, and much more historical lore.

Attractions and Upcoming Events

Old Hand Dug Well

This well is the widest and second largest hand-dug well in Kansas. It is 34 feet in width and 65 feet in depth. The well was dug by hand in 1895. The Seneca Hand Dug Well is listed on the Register of Historic Kansas Places as well as the National Register of Historic Places.

Seneca, KS Landmarks

Spring Creek Golf Course & Estates

After several years of planning and fund raising, Seneca, KS now has a new 18-hole golf course around a 55-unit housing subdivision. Construction began July 2004 with the original seeding taken place in the Spring of 2005. The Course 6,488

Seneca, KS Golf Courses

Seneca Public Library

Seneca\'s library is housed in an impressive historic \"old stone church\", built in 1867 by the Unitarian-Universalist Society and was the first church structure to be built in the community. A campaign to raise money for the church was started by Presbyterian minister Charles Parker. In 1931

Seneca, KS Historic Buildings

Pony Express Monument

Seneca plays an important role in our Nation's history. The first home station west of St. Joseph, Missouri (the Eastern starting point of the Pony Express run) was located at Seneca. On the corner of 4

Seneca, KS Pony Express

Pony Express Museum

Located on 4th and Main Street across the street from the Pony Express Monument, the Museum houses memorabilia from the Pony Express era (1860 - 1862), including buggies and a blacksmith shop. On display at the museum is an Olympic torch from the 1996

Seneca, KS Pony Express

Things to do near Seneca, KS

Maxwell Springs

Maxwell Springs is believed to have been a water source for travelers through Nemaha County, including Pony Express riders. T...