Butler County, KS
Butler County has been a rich cattle grazing land since the 1860s. As early as 1857, the first pioneers looked down on the beautiful Walnut River valley and decided to make it home. At the center of the Flint Hills, the area has changed little since Captain Zebulon Pike noted the hills covered with flint rock cobbles during his 1806 expedition across Kansas. The Name "Flint Hills" had identified the region ever since.Since the beginning a lore of cowboys, cattle drives, and western style living has entertained and amazed the area traveler. The first cattle drives began in Texas during 1865 when animals were driven to Kansas railroads through the Flint Hills. By 1885 the wild Texas cattle drives were over and 5 million cattle had passed through the Hills on their journey to eastern markets. The era of custom grazing of out-of-state cattle began, and today over 1 million head of cattle are fattened annually on the lush pasture land.
The peaceful tranquility of the region changed forever when oil was discovered near El Dorado in 1915.
Cattle grazing and bottom land farming gave way to the mixed economy of beef and black gold.
Several area driving tours are available for the interest of the photographer, bird watcher, fossil hunter, antique lover, fisherman or amateur historian. So treat yourself to one of the best kept secret in the land - Butler County, where rich history, breathtaking scenery, and adventure abound.
Explore Butler County
Douglass Community Building
The building listed on the National Register of Historic Places was constructed in 1938 of native stone for the WPA (Works Projects Administration)
Douglass, KS Historic BuildingsWilliam Allen White Monument
The commemorative marble monument honors the Pulitzer Prize winning editor who was reared in El Dorado.
William Allen White
The world beat a path to the cluttered desk of William Allen White, publisher of a small daily newspaper, The Emporia Gazette in Kansas.
El Dorado, KS Monuments
Walter's Pumpkin Patch
Where Fall Begins! Walters' Pumpkin Patch has hours of entertainment for families of all ages. Our new O'
El Dorado, KS Pumpkin PatchesTowanda Area Historical Museum
Established in 1999, the Towanda Area Historical Museum is housed in the Historic Masonic Lodge Building, which was constructed in 1904. We are dedicated to the care and preservation of the culture and history of the greater Towanda, Kansas area.
Towanda, KS MuseumsStapleton #1 Historic Well Site
El Dorado became, for a while, the world's storybook oil field. Butler County encompassed 1,800 producing oil wells on 25,000 acres. The El Dorado Field is a story of men and events that helped Kansas and the nation emerge from the draft-horse and kerosene-lamp years into the gasoline age. "
El Dorado, KS Historic MarkersOld Frisco Wooden Water Tower
Built in 1885 for Frisco Railroad steam engines in Beaumont, the water tower provided water for the railroad roundhouse and cattle shipping operation. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it is the oldest wooden water tower still operating in America.
Beaumont, KS Railroad HistoryButler County History Center HomeKansas Oil Museum
The Butler County Historical Society portrays our county's unique history. The museum consists of an indoor exhibit building and nine acres of outdoor exhibits. The outdoor exhibits are divided into two areas: Oil field equipment and the K.T. Wiedemann Living History Park. More than 20
El Dorado, KS Museums