Baldwin City
The days are golden in this northeast Kansas town. Baldwin City is made special by the colors of the seasons, by the warmth of the people, by the simple opportunities for a good day and for a good life.
Whether you’re in the mood for a side trip, or are looking for a great place to settle, we invite you to enjoy the beauty of Baldwin City.
Baldwin City’s place in history is deep. The Battle of Black Jack, which took place to the east of Baldwin City in 1856, is recorded as the first battle of the Civil War.
The Santa Fe Trail, which linked east to west between 1824 and 1875, passed through Baldwin City. You may travel a section of the road that those early settlers traversed, or view the ruts carved by heavy wagons.
The city’s history is also captured in its four buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Old Castle Museum, Parmenter Hall, and Case Hall are all on Baker University’s campus. The fourth building, the Santa Fe Depot, was built in 1906, and is the only remaining depot of Kansas’ first railroad south of the Kansas River.
Black Jack Log Cabin
A white oak log cabin stands at the roadside park three miles east of Baldwin on Highway 56. Built in observance of Kansas' centennial in 1961, it now houses historical…
Learn more →More in Baldwin City
Things to Do in Baldwin City
Baldwin Golf Course
The Baldwin Golf Association owns and operates a 9-hole sand green golf couse and clubhouse…
Learn more →Baker University
Baker is a liberal arts university which draws the region's finest students. The first university…
Learn more →Clarice L. Osborne Memorial Chapel
This chapel's history takes a little more than a glance to read, but the story…
Learn more →Baldwin, Historical Marker
Here, and for the next 300 miles west, Highway 56 roughly follows the old Santa…
Learn more →Area History Mural
The mural depicting area history was painted by local artist, Tom Russell. It is displayed…
Learn more →Allen (Depot) Park
Allen Park, Main and High streets in West Baldwin (formerly Media), is privately owned and…
Learn more →Battle of Black Jack
This battle was part of the struggle to make Kansas a free state. In May,…
Learn more →Case Hall
Case Hall is Baker University's first library building. Completed in 1907 with a grant from…
Learn more →Upcoming Events
Nearby Lakes & Parks
All Attractions in Baldwin City
- Allen (Depot) Park
- Area History Mural
- Baker University
- Baldwin Golf Course
- Baldwin, Historical Marker
- Battle of Black Jack
- Black Jack Log Cabin
- Case Hall
- Clarice L. Osborne Memorial Chapel
- Collins Library
- Douglas State Lake
- Grove and West Parks
- Kibbee Cabin
- Old Castle Museum Complex
- Palmyra Post Office
- Parmenter Hall
- Quayle Rare Bible Collection
- Santa Fe Trail Ruts
- Santa Fe Trail Well
- Signal Oak, Historical Marker
- Spring Creek Lake
- The Historic Santa Fe Depot
- The Midland Historic Railroad
- Women’s Bridge