Ellsworth County, KS
Enjoy... the natural geographic wonders of Mushroom Rock State Park or take a walk back in time through Faris Caves, with its story-telling Indian Carvings of centuries past. Enjoy the serenity of the many nature trails...hiking where wagon trains crossed the prairie and where Indian and Buffalo roamed. Atop Horse Thief Canyon enjoy a breathtaking view of Kanopolis Lake and the Smoky Hill River Valley, with its rolling hills and plains as far as the eye can see. Ellsworth County offers you a piece of the good life. Nestled between two lakes, fishing, boating, and many other water sports can be enjoyed year around. Wildlife and waterfowl are abundant for the sightseer or the hunters.
History runs deep and varied in this post rock country. Enjoy the rich Czech heritage of Wilson, the Mexican heritage of Kanopolis, the strong Baptsit roots of Lorraine, and the German-Irish heritage of Holyrood, or experience the Wild West Cowtown Days of Ellsworth. The pride of who we are can be enjoyed at four museums in the county.
We invite you to enjoy a bit of our relaxed, quiet beauty. See deep green or amber waves of wheat, to fish filled lakes and cattle grazing on rolling pastures...meet residents with a friendly smile and hello...come and experience our "Pride of the Prairie"...Welcome to Ellsworth County.
Explore Ellsworth County
1909 Union Pacific Wooden Caboose
A 1909 wooden caboose given to the museum by the "Union Pacific Railroad." This caboose is one of 26 known wooden "Union Pacific" cabooses still in existence in the United States and is the only one known of in Kansas. Following a complete restoration the caboose celebrated its 100
Ellsworth, KS RailroadOriel Building
One of only a few bartizan style structures remaining in Kansas, the old Signature Insurance Building with its signature oriel window stands as an architectural landmark of the early drover history of Ellsworth, Kansas.
Ellsworth, KS MuseumsEllsworth Municipal Golf Course
Ellsworth is fortunate to boast one of the finest nine-hole golf courses in Central Kansas. Watered fairways and greens amongst the rolling hills make for an enjoyable and professional game. Elevated greens on nearly every hole make proper club selection a priority.
Ellsworth, KS Golf CoursesFort Harker Museum Complex/ Kanopolis KS
The Fort Harker Museum is located in Kanopolis Ks. First Established as Fort Ellsworth in 1864 at the juncture of the Smokey Hill River and the Fort Riley/Fort Larned Road on the Smokey Hill Trail, the post was moved from its site by the river and renamed Fort Harker in 1866
Ellsworth, KS Military HistoryOld City Jail
A unique stone building in Wilson, Kansas, is the round jail built around 1911. Originally it was used for a water tower of the city, with the lower part serving as the jail. The 18
Wilson, KS Pioneer LifeHistorical Opera House & Museum
The Wilson Opera House and Opera House Museum, along with Dr. Whitmer'
Wilson, KS Museums1873 Jail
The old jail is the oldest building in Ellsworth. Earlier jails were temporary structures like cages. At other times, prisoners were housed in private homes. This jail was authorized on April 2 1872, with the lower floor designated as the jail and the upper floor to be used as court rooms. (
Ellsworth, KS Historic BuildingsHistoric Churches
The third building for the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church was erected in 1911 of veneered brick. It is named for Svaty Vaclay, St. Wenceslaus, the patron saint of Bohemia.
The St. Wenceslaus Cemeteries - On June 16, 1887
Wilson, KS Historic Churches