Sumner County, KS
Nestled within Sumner County are seven cities brimming with popular attractions, historic sites, cultural activities, festivals and rodeos. For its 25,000 residents, Sumner County boasts excellent recreational facilities, museums sharing the frontier spirit, many special events and several historical sites listed on the National Registry of Historical Places.Sumner County's rich history began when Texans drove their cattle over the Chisholm Trail to the railroad station in Abilene. The Texas drovers were suprised and delighted to find full streams and rich grasslands for their herds. News spread about the opportunities, and the homesteaders made their way to this area. Wellington was designated as the permanent county seat in 1872.
The county's heritage included violent murders, grasshopper plagues, floods and droughts, and threats of Indian raids. Flour mills were erected and the first railroads were built to help market the county's huge wheat yields.
It's easy to get to Sumner County by auto on I-35 north/south or 160 east/west. Commercial air service is only 30 minutes away in Wichita.
Explore Sumner County
Post Office Mural
The Caldwell Post Office, built in the 1930s, is listed on the National Historic Register, as it displays one of the collection of murals commissioned during the Depression Era by the WPA. The mural, "Cowboys Driving Cattle," was painted by Kenneth Evett in 1941.
Caldwell, KS ArtsSaint Martin's Church
St. Martin's Catholic church was built in 1924 in the style of old Spanish Missions. It's a beautiful old stucco and terra-cotta building with the mural "King of Kings and Lord of Lords" inside.
Caldwell, KS Historic ChurchesThe Chisholm Trail
The city of Wellington, Kansas, lies just 7 miles east of the cattle trail of the 1870's that led to the largest cattle market of its time in the entire world. While those days are over 120
Wellington, KS Pioneer HistoryConway Springs Bandshell
Conway Springs has always taken great pride in its music which dates back to 1885. The bandshell in Central Park was built by subscription in 1910
Conway Springs, KS AmphitheatersSpring House
The spring house at Conway Springs is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is immortalized within the city park where visitors can still see the bubbling water as it freely flows into the encased pool. The story goes that in 1882
Conway Springs, KS LandmarksCherokee Strip Bridge
This bridge built by Grant County, Oklahoma and Sumner County, Kansas is a new monument to those hardy and determined men and women who ran the Cherokee Strip Run in 1893.
Caldwell, KS Historic BridgesConway Springs Churches
Five churches are active in the Conway Springs community: First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), First Baptist Church, St. Joseph Catholic Church, First Presbyterian Church, and the United Methodist Church.
Conway Springs, KS Historic ChurchesWellington Municipal Golf Course
Wellington Municipal Golf Course is one of the finest courses in the region! *18 Holes *Car Rental *Pro Shop
Wellington, KS Golf CoursesChisholm Trail Markers
A permanent, cut stone marker identifies the location of the Chisholm Trail that led to the largest cattle market of its time in the entire world in the 1870's.
Caldwell, KS Historical MarkersThe Chisholm Trail Museum
Wellington's Chisholm Trail Museum contains over 40 rooms filled with over 20,000 artifacts and pictures, most collected locally, some dating back to the Civil War and the early days cattle trail that passed west of Wellington.
The building itself is a reinforced concrete structure built in 19
Wellington, KS MuseumsThe Old Mill
The Old Mill was built in 1874 by D.N. Cook and John Hewitt. A 3 mile race was hand-dug parallel to the Arkansas River which produced the electricity necessary to run the mill. A dam was built across the river to help the mill grow. In 1910
Oxford, KS Historic Mills