Marshall County, KS
Marshall County is rich in history with eleven sites on the National Historic Register. It is crossed by eight historic trails, including the Oregon Trail, the Pony Express Trail, the Military Trail, Overland (Stage) Trail, Mormon Trail, Otoe Trail, Pike's Peak-California Trail and St. Joseph-California Trail. It is also crossed by the railroad, which entered the county in the 1860's. It is estimated the westward migration over twenty-three years saw 500,000 follow these trails. The town of Frankfort is located on one of the longest Indian Trails in the United States. Blue Rapids is home of some of the purest gypsum mined in the world, and host to the 1913 World Tour, Chicago White Sox and New York Giants game. In 1851, Francis J. (Frank) Marshall of Weston, Missouri arrived at the bank of the Big Blue River. He came to establish a trading post and to operate a ferry. On November 11, 1854, he opened the first civilian post office in the territory of Kansas. Marshall lent his name to the county and Marysville, the county seat, was named to honor his wife.
Prairie grass along the valleys and gentle slopes of Marshall County were transformed by immigrants into fertile acres of corn, milo, wheat, alfalfa and soybeans. Descendants of the first Hereford cattle brought into the county from England still are bred here, along with large herds of Angus and dairy cattle.
Explore Marshall County
South Koester House - Restaurant
The newest house in the historic Koester Block was built circa 1904-1906 and is now a restaurant.
Marysville, KS Historic HomesGypsum Plant
In 1871, Judge J.V. Coon of Elyria, Ohio, visited Blue rapids and took samples of gypsum back to Ohio for testing. It was found to be suitable for the manufacturing of plaster of paris. In 1872, he and a brother returned and set up the first machinery for processing gypsum. In the early 1900
Blue Rapids, KS ToursPony Express Bronze Horse & Rider
The bronze Pony Express Horse & Rider are located at the Pony Express Plaza, between Broadway & Highway 36 at 7th Street. The park is currently under construction, due to be finished this summer. The Pony Express Horse &
Marysville, KS Pony ExpressDoll House Museum
Enjoy a nationally recognized collection of Dolls, Indians, Toys and History, stretching from antique to the present time and all appearing in storytelling antics. The "Doll Museum comes with it's own unique Story Telling Experience." Over 1,500
Marysville, KS MuseumsHistoric Homes
A variety of beautiful Victorian Homes. Powell Home (1895) on National Historic Register, Hall Home, Thorne Home, Thomas Home, and Virgin Home. Tours available.
Waterville, KS Historic BuildingsAlcove Spring
Alcove Spring is a spring of fresh water flowing from the side of the alcove into the basin below the Naomi Pike 10-12 foot falls, all in a woodland setting. The spring has never been known to dry up, even during severe Kansas droughts. Today, the spring is part of a 223
Blue Rapids, KS LandmarksPony Express Original Home Station #1
Built in 1859 by Joseph Cottrell, the Pony Express Barn Museum is the oldest building in Marshall County. Too, it is the only original home station along the Pony Express route at its original site. The Pony Express System was inaugurated April 3, 1860
Marysville, KS Pony ExpressTransue Brothers Blacksmith and Wagon Shop Museum
The blacksmith business in Summerfield, Kansas is by far the oldest continuous business in the town, having started with the town in 1889
Summerfield, KS MuseumsLee Dam Center for Fine Art
The center for fine art brings cultural events, visual arts, music, and educational programs to the community of Marysville to enhance and enrich the lives of citizens of all ages.
Marysville, KS ArtsHistoric Library
The Blue Rapids Public Library, second site in Marshall County chosen for the National Register of Historic Buildings, was built in 1875 for a library and has served for that purpose ever since. The library has existed in one location longer than any other library in the state.
Blue Rapids, KS National RegisterWaterville's Railroad Depot Museum
Waterville's Railroad Depot Museum keeps Waterville's history in the historic refurbished 1870
Waterville, KS Museums