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Terwilliger Home


category : Historic Homes
Terwilliger Home With its foundation laid in Kansas Territory, the Terwilliger Home was built alongside the famed Santa Fe Trail as Kansas became the 34th state.

Built by Abraham and Mary Rawlinson in 1860-61, this stone home was the last house freighters passed going West when leaving Council Grove as late as 1863.

From their home on the edge of the frontier, the Rawlinsons witnessed long trains of freight wagons loaded with goods, heading to or from Santa Fe. This home was a welcome sight to the freighters, as it signaled their return to civilization.

The property was purchased by William Riley Terwilliger in 1870, who added the South wing by 1873. The Terwilliger family came to Morris County in 1859, and he was at times a farmer, stockman, freighter, and owner of a livery stable.

The Terwilliger Home is one of the four oldest homes remaining alongside the Santa Fe Trail in Kansas.

Currently, a bakery cafe operate in the restored part of the house.


Address: 803 West Main
Phone: 620-767-7986

Come visit us in Council Grove, Kansas

Attractions and Upcoming Events

Post Office Oak and Museum

This 300-year-old bur oak (just the trunk remains) served as the unofficial post office for travelers on the Santa Fe Trail from 1825-1847. Passing caravans could leave messages for future travelers in a cache in the base of the tree. A stone building erected in 1864

Council Grove, KS Landmarks

Seth Hays Historic Home

Council Grove town founder, Seth Hays, built this home in 1867. His slave, Aunt Sally, lived in the basement and cared for Hays and his adopted daughter, Kittie Robbins, until her death in 1872. Hays died a year later, February 3, 1873

Council Grove, KS Museums

Custer Elm

Legend has it that while patrolling the Santa Fe Trail with his famous 7th Cavalry Regiment, George Armstrong Custer camped under the huge elm that flourished at this site. The massive trunk is all that remains of this tree that measured more than 100 feet tall and 16 feet around. Custer bought 120

Council Grove, KS Landmarks

Field School House

The one-room Field School, closed at the end of the 1945-46 school year, is remarkably well preserved. It was moved from its original site 8 miles south of Council Grove to Maple Camp in 1999

Council Grove, KS Historic Schoolhouses

Atkinson Log House

This building houses the two-story Atkinson Log House, constructed in 1858 on Clark's Creek near Large Spring near Latimer, and moved to this site in 1996. It is one of the two oldest wooden structures known to remain in Morris County.

Council Grove, KS Pioneer Life

Things to do Historic Homes near Council Grove, KS

Frederick Remington Ranch

This is the Homestead of the famous western artist, Frederick Remington. Large tours available....

Cole House Museum

Terwilliger Home

Historic Homes Tour

Early Residents Walking Tour