Little Ozarks, Kansas
Spring bursts forth in Southeast Kansas as the trees and meadows come alive. The shades of green, frame the first flowers of the season in their yellow, red, purple and brilliant whites. Community festivals across the region celebrate this new birth recognizing cherry blossoms, blues, redbuds and drama.
It's also time to get out your pole and head to the water for some good old fishin'. You'll come away feeling relaxed and refreshed after a weekend surrounded by still clear water and fresh air.
Explore historic buildings, bridges and museums as you make your way through this unique region with a new discovery just around the bend.
Explore Little Ozarks
Tanko Lake
Santa Fe Tanko Lake was built in 1870 to draw fresh water for the Leavenworth, Lawrence & Galveston Railway steam locomotives and later for the Atchison Topeka Santa Fe Railway's steam locomotives. The 45-acre lake was deeded by the Santa Fe Railway to the city as a New Years gift in 1954
Cherryvale, KS RecreationBandstand on the Courthouse Lawn
This charming bandstand was built in 1932 as a W.P.A. project. The roof was destroyed in the early 1960's and local residents and businesses donated money to rebuild it, with a picture from the county museum as the only guide.
Fredonia, KS LandmarksColumbus Wye and Frisco Caboose
The Columbus Wye is a one of its kind three way switch allowing trains to turn around. The crossing, formerly located in the northern part of Columbus was donated to the City of Columbus by the Burlington Northern Railroad. At the time the switch was constructed, it was one of the three built:
Columbus, KS Railroad HistoryLebo Jail
If morality was disregarded by some elements of society, those who chose to flout the law often wound up in places like this, the old jail at Lebo.
Lebo, KS Pioneer HistoryHistoric Homes Tour
Caney is proud of its rich heritage and is fortunate to have preserved much of the architecture of its early development. The Historical Society has prepared a self-guided tour brochure to illustrate some of Caney'
Caney, KS ToursHistoric Bridges
* Rainbow Curve Bridge just north of town is the only remaining Marsh Arch bridge on Rt. 66. * The InterUrban Street Car Bridge spans the lazy banks of the Spring River.
Baxter Springs, KS Historic BridgesLittle White School House
The first school, built in 1870, was a log cabin provided by Berryman Smith. The teacher, Mrs. O.M. \"Billie\" Smith, had 25 students enrolled. Bonds for the next school building, the Little White School House, were sold to raise $1,800 and the school was built in 1872 for $900
Caney, KS Historic SchoolhousesLake Garnett
Constructed by Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930's, Lake Garnett has a surface area of over 55 acres. The lake provides camping facilities, electric and water hookups, and a sanitary dump station. Camping, permits are required and game fish are stocked in Garnett'
Garnett, KS RecreationMine Creek Battlefield State Historical Site
The largest cavalry battle west of the Mississippi. In it, 2,500 Union horsemen routed 6,500 Confederate soldiers, killing or capturing over a thousand of them. Mine Creek was the last important Civil War battle in the west, and the last important civil war battle fought in Kansas.
La Cygne, KS BattlesitesMemorial Auditorium
If your interests are music or theatre, Chanute's Memorial Auditorium recently underwent a series of major improvements, making it one of the finest facilities of its kind in Kansas. The 1,200
Chanute, KS ArtsFrank Bellamy Home and Burial
As a student in Cherryvale Central High School, Frank Bellamy authored the Pledge of Allegiance and brought it into national focus as a winner in a 1892 national student contest. The pledge was first officially used in a national celebration coinciding with the opening of the World'
Cherryvale, KS Famous PeopleAndrew Carnegie Library
The library is one of 33 Andrew Carnegie libraries in the state of Kansas. It is on the National Historic Register.
Columbus, KS Carnegie Libraries