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Atchison County, KS

Atchison CountyOn July 4, 1804, the Lewis and Clark expedition passed through the area which is now Atchsion County. Two local streams emptied into the "big" river and in honor of the day, they named them, "Fourth of July 1804 Creek" and Independence Creek. These names kept their history alive even though it wasn't until 50 years later when the Kansas Territory was opened for settlement, that 18 men crossed the river to organize and plot the town of Atchison.

Learn more of Atchison County by visiting its unique cities described below.

Atchison

See Atchison City Page on left menu

Effingham

Established in 1868, this town was platted along the Central Branch Railroad. Effingham was also an important livestock shipping center and trading point. In 1915 there were 22 businesses and 5 churches. The town first received electricity in 1914 from Atchison.

Huron


Established 1882. The town site was originally the property of Colonel D.R. Anthony. Huron was relocated to a new site along the railroad. Many fires destroyed the town depleting the population. The town is either named after the Huron Indians or an Ohio County.

Lancaster

Established 1858. The old Military Road passed through this little town. A good trading point and livestock shipping center, this prosperous community at one time supported 15 public buildings and many families.

Cummings

The original name was Cummingsville and was established in 1872. The town was platted by William Cummings to set along the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad. In the 1920's there were sixteen businesses and three churches.

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Larkinburg

This is a community straddling the Atchison-Jackson County line. This town was platted as a station on the Leavenworth, Kansas and Western Railroad which pushed through the county in 1871 and served this part of the state until 1935.

Arrington

Established 1884. Popular mineral springs attracted people who were hoping to find a fountain of youth. The town grew fast because of health resorts. Most of the town was destroyed by fire and never rebuilt. The springs are now farm land.

Parnell

This town was established in 1883 as a station on the Santa Fe and Missouri railroads. Named in honor of James Parnell, who was a Civil War hero, one of the first from Atchison County to respond to Lincoln's call. He died in battle Hoare Head, A.R.

Muscotah

Established 1857. The name is of Indian origin and signifies "Beautiful Prairie" or "Prairie on Fire." The townsite of the present Muscotah was originally part of the Kickapoo Indian lands and was granted by a U.S. patent to Chief Pe-it-e-quark.

Kennekuk

The town of Kennekuk was founded as a stage stop in 1858 and named after Kickapoo Indian Chief, John Kennekuk. One of the earliest settlements in Atchison County and the headquarters for the Kickapoo Agency, it served at least three trails in the 1850's and 1860's; an overland freighting and stagecoach road from Atchison; a stage coach and Pony Express road from Fort Leavenworth to Fort Riley.

Explore Atchison County

Jackson Park

Jackson Park is the largest park in Atchison and the center of community fun days as well as family outtings. It is a heavily-wooded area with hiking and biking trails, play equipment, shelterhouses and picnic facilities.

Atchison, KS Parks

Atchison State Fishing Lake and Wildlife Area

A 66 acre lake contains largemouth bass, channel catfish, redear sunfish, bluegill sunfish and black crappie. The wildlife area has about 136 acres of grass and timber open to hunting.

Atchison, KS Recreation

Royal Movie Theatre

The latest movies are shown on two screens at this historic theatre, which has been completely renovated.

Atchison, KS Theatres

Muchnic Art Gallery

Parquet floors, stained-glass windows, hand-tooled leather and finely-carved woodwork set an impressive surrounding for the works of regional artists that change each month. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places

Atchison, KS Arts

Snow Creek Ski Area

Snow Creek Ski Area is Northeast Kansas'/Missouri's only Alpine ski area. Facilities include nine intermediate trails, 2 triple chair lifts and 2 beginner areas with 3 rope tows. A day lodge features a cafeteria-style restaurant and a lounge, ski rental and ticket sales. Open daily. 100%

Atchison, KS Skiing

Amelia Earhart

Despite a few privileged years living with her grandparents in Atchison, Kansas, Amelia Earhart's childhood years were fairly transitional. Her father's job took him to Des Moines, where the family joined him a few years later. In 1913

Atchison, KS Famous People

Atchison - Morman Grove

A historic marker erected by the Kansas State Historical Society that commemorates the site where, during the years between 1855 and 1857, some 20,000 Mormons camped before moving on to their "promised land".

Atchison, KS Landmarks

St. Patrick's Church

St. Patrick's is the oldest Catholic structure in continous use in Kansas by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kansas City. In the spring of 1857, St. Patrick's was established by Rev. Augustine Wirth, O.S.B. The first church was erected in the fall of 1859

Atchison, KS Historic Churches

Amelia Earhart Earthwork

Atchison's newest memorial to its favorite native daughter is the one-acre Amelia Earhart Earthwork created by famed Kansas artist Stan Herd. This living portrait of Earhart lies on the berm of a hill overlooking Warnock Lake. It was created to celebrate Earhart's 100th birthday on July 24, 1997.

Atchison, KS Memorials

Chapels at Mount St. Scholastica Convent

The Benedictine Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica have been in Atchison since 1863 and at their present location since 1877. St. Scholastica Chapel was dedicated in 1938, the 75th anniversary of the Benedictine Sisters'

Atchison, KS Historic Churches

Evah C. Cray Historical Home Museum

This 25-room mansion, listed in the National Register of Historic Places , is a glorious example of the opulence of the Victorian era. Built in 1882

Atchison, KS Museums

Warnock Lake

At Warnock Lake you'll enjoy fishing, swimming, canoeing, picnics and games, and a shelter house and restrooms. Camper hookups and concrete pads are available for $2.00 per camper.

Atchison, KS Recreation

Explore Atchison County