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Pioneer Life

99 attractions ยท 1 event

Things to Do

Simple trips are often the best.

You don't need much for a place to leave an impression.

1875 Drinkwater & Schriver Flour Mill

Cedar Point, Kansas

The 1875 Drinkwater & Schriver Flour Mill is located on the Cottonwood River at Cedar…

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1882 Log Cabin

Washington, Kansas

The cabin originally was built in 1882 by the John Pecha family near Odell, Nebraska,…

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Stay curious.

A small detour can turn into something worth remembering.

1883 Jail

Canton, Kansas

The pioneer 1883 jail on Allen Street can be seen by appointment.

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Keep it easy.

The best days usually come without pressure or overplanning.

80 Foot Wide Brick Streets

WaKeeney, Kansas

Take a walk along the 80 foot wide brick streets of downtown. WaKeeney was founded…

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Adair Cabin State Historic Site and Museum

Osawatomie, Kansas

The territorial log cabin, which now houses the John Brown Museum, was built in 1854…

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Atkinson Log House

Council Grove, Kansas

This building houses the two-story Atkinson Log House, constructed in 1858 on Clark's Creek near…

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Augusta Historical Museum & C.N. James Log Cabin

Augusta, Kansas

See Augusta's first building - the 1868 C.N. James log cabin, which stands on it's…

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Baldwin, Historical Marker

Baldwin City, Kansas

Here, and for the next 300 miles west, Highway 56 roughly follows the old Santa…

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Go a little further.

The next turn is often where things start to get interesting.

Bell-Bogardus Indian Massacre and Cemetery

Beloit, Kansas

August 12, 1868 - At the homestead site of David A. Bogardus, 40 rods north…

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Black Jack Log Cabin

Baldwin City, Kansas

A white oak log cabin stands at the roadside park three miles east of Baldwin…

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Pause when it feels right.

Some stops aren't on the map, but they're worth taking.

Blacksmith Shop

Oskaloosa, Kansas

The blacksmith shop was an important part of the rural community. Blacksmiths kept the town…

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Boot Hill Cemetery

Ogallala, Nebraska

Since cowboys generally were buried with their boots on, the first cemetery in the area…

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Bordeaux Trading Post

Crawford, Nebraska

From about 1857 to 1876, an Indian "trading post" occupied a site near here. Built…

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Bremer County Historical Society Museum

Waverly, Iowa

The Bremer County Historical Society Museum building was built in 1862 as the first large…

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Stop when something catches your eye.

Those moments tend to matter more than the planned ones.

Bruce Park

Wills Point, Texas

Right in the heart of downtown, Bruce Park is a small park that features the…

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Buffalo Herd

Hays, Kansas

Located on US-183 Alternate, four miles south of I-70 and directly across from Historic Fort…

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Bushton's Pioneer Life

Bushton, Kansas

In 1881, the only thing that marked the location of Bushton was a hedge where…

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Find your way.

There's no single right route, just the one that fits you.

Butterfield Overland Despatch Trail

WaKeeney, Kansas

Stone markers can be seen where this trail crosses the north-south country roads. The Butterfield…

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Calaboose Replica

Blackwater, Missouri

Replica of Blackwater's jail with the original double bunk cage.

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Let the road decide.

Plans are useful, but flexibility is where the real discoveries happen.

Cape Rock Park

Cape Girardeau

Cape Rock is the spot where young ensign Jean B Girardot came and traded with…

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Follow what feels interesting.

Curiosity is usually a better guide than a strict plan.

Chisholm Trail Memorial Park

Bowie, Texas

This small park pays tribute to the cattle drives to the Chisholm Trail. This was…

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Chisholm Trail/Santa Fe Trails Meet

Canton, Kansas

Two of the most historic trails of Kansas, the Santa Fe Trail and the Chisholm…

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A place to slow down.

Not every stop needs to be busy to be worth your time.

Choctaw Caboose Museum

Choctaw

Pioneer memorabilia.

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Col. William Newton Kinslow

Beloit, Kansas

When Col. William Newton Kinslow died in Beloit on Oct. 18, 1948, many attended his…

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Follow what feels interesting.

Curiosity is usually a better guide than a strict plan.

Conrad Park Pioneer Cabin

Kankakee, Illinois

Visit an authentic cabin built during Momence's 150th anniversary to honor the area's first settlers.

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Cowboy Cemetery

Freedom, Oklahoma

Back in 1878, history records and legend embellishes, Fred Clark and Reuben Bristow were cowhands…

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Go a little further.

The next turn is often where things start to get interesting.

Cowboy Jail

Cottonwood Falls, Kansas

The stone building was used to house prisoners before the courthouse was finished in 1883.

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Go a little further.

The next turn is often where things start to get interesting.

Cowtown History

Ellsworth, Kansas

"Every other business a Saloon!"During the years 1867 to 1871, the frontier town of Ellsworth…

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Desert Wells Stage Stop

Queen Creek, Arizona

The Desert Wells Stage Stop is reported to have been a small spur stop for…

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The road is the experience.

Getting there is often the point, not just the outcome.

Dorena, MO - Hickman, KY Riverboat Toll Ferry

East Prairie

A unique opportunity to experience the wonder and beauty of the Mighty Mississippi. The toll…

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Early Day Jail

Council Grove, Kansas

Desperadoes, ruffians, robbers and horse thieves all "bunked" here in this early day calaboose (jail),…

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Stay a little longer.

Rushing through a place rarely does it justice.

Ellsinore Pioneer Museum

Ellsinore, Missouri

Charming living history museum featuring pioneer daily life and chores. Weaving, spinning, music and storytelling.…

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Ensor Farm Historical Site and Museum

Olathe, Kansas

The barn at the Ensor Farmsite and Museum was constructed in 1890 of rough sawed…

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First Land Office

Osawatomie, Kansas

This land office building was built in 1854 and was used by the first mayor…

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Somewhere between here and nowhere.

The spaces in between are often the most memorable.

Flood Plain Forge--- Blacksmith

Farmer City, Illinois

Blacksmithing, artistic and useful iron work, is done in a smithy erected in 1928. There…

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Stay curious.

A small detour can turn into something worth remembering.

Fort Charrette Historic Village and Museum

Washington, Missouri

An authentic 1790 restored French fur trading post museum with associated village, containing antique furnishings…

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Garlock Cabin

Gering, Nebraska

In early 2001, the North Platte Valley Museum embarked on an ambitious project to move…

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Higley Cabin - "Home on the Range"

Smith Center, Kansas

In this cabin, in 1872, Dr. Brewster M. Higley, a homesteading doctor from Ohio, wrote…

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Make time for quiet places.

Not every destination needs noise to be meaningful.

Historic Liberty Jail

Liberty, Missouri

Historic exhibits, audiovisual presentation, sculpture and artwork help visitors learn about the significant events that…

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Historic Trails Park

Marysville, Kansas

Historic Trails Park recognizes the Trails that merged at this point because of the ability…

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Holm Log Cabin

Blue Rapids, Kansas

The two room Holm cabin was built by Swedish pioneers in approximately 1876 of hand…

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Homestead Museum

Shattuck, Oklahoma

Some of the items in the museum came from the people who came by covered…

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Kibbee Cabin

Baldwin City, Kansas

[Kibbee Cabin] The Kibbee Cabin is a reproduction of a log cabin which stood on…

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Lincoln County Museum of Pioneer History

Chandler, Oklahoma

The oldest commercial buildings in Lincoln County, these Sandstone "twin" buildings were built by pioneer…

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Log Cabin

Onaga, Kansas

Located on the grounds of the Onaga Historical Society Museum is a cabin that was…

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Log Cabin

Stockville, Nebraska

In 1882, Ambrose Shelley built a log cabin by Medicine Creek and lived with Indians…

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Keep moving.

Even slow progress opens up new places and perspectives.

Log House

Dunseith, North Dakota

Tourist information center includes North Dakota crafts and Pride of Dakota gifts.

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Take the long way.

The best parts of the trip are usually the ones you didn't plan.

Matsel Cabin Museum

Carmi, Illinois

This 1853 cabin offers insights into the lives of early rural settlers.

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Not every place needs a reason.

Sometimes it's enough just to be there.

McNees Crossing

Clayton, New Mexico

Santa Fe Trail site named for trader killed there in 1828. Nearby SFT Ruts.

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Mitchell Pass

Gering, Nebraska

Following the opening or rediscovery of the Platte River route to the west by the…

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More road, less rush.

There's no need to hurry through something worth experiencing.

Novinger Log Homestead

Novinger, Missouri

Restored 1850s two-story log home, log barn and smoke house furnished with period and local…

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Old Albany

Sabetha, Kansas

Old Albany is the remnant of an 1850s settlement by a group from Albany, New…

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Old City Jail

Wilson, Kansas

A unique stone building in Wilson, Kansas, is the round jail built around 1911. Originally…

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Old Fashioned Windmill

Blackwater, Missouri

Located in the middle of Main Street where once a well served the community's water…

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Old Johnson County Jail

Tecumseh, Nebraska

The historic Johnson County jail was constructed in 1872 of native limestone. The huge blocks…

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Old Log Hotel

Stockton, Kansas

The Old Log Hotel is Stockton's first hotel erected in 1871. Joseph McNulty, the owner,…

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Take less, experience more.

What you carry matters less than what you notice.

Old Schoolhouse/Residence

Lyndon, Kansas

Lyndon's first school was located in the home on Madison Street shortly after Lyndon was…

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Let the road decide.

Plans are useful, but flexibility is where the real discoveries happen.

Old Stagecoach Stop

Waynesville, Missouri

Restored oldest building in Pulaski County, Civil War exhibit, tours, on National Register of Historic…

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Old Stone Jail

Mankato, Kansas

The old stone jail is one of several buildings that comprise the Jewell County Historical…

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More road, less rush.

There's no need to hurry through something worth experiencing.

One-room School House

Waterville, Kansas

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Oregon and Santa Fe Trails

Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

In the 1830s, settlers heading for the Oregon and Santa Fe Trails crossed the Missouri…

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Palmyra Post Office

Baldwin City, Kansas

Located at the Old Castle Complex is the Palmyra Post Office and Blood's Grocery which…

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Let the road decide.

Plans are useful, but flexibility is where the real discoveries happen.

Perea / Baca House

Bernalillo, New Mexico

Last stage stop before Santa Fe on El Camino Real, later an emergency school by…

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Go a little further.

The next turn is often where things start to get interesting.

Pilot Grove Calaboose

Pilot Grove, Missouri

Old brick jail, built in 1892. Has two cells and constable's area.

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Go where you feel alive.

Pay attention to the places that pull you in without explanation.

Pioneer Heritage Homestead

Doniphan, Missouri

Log cabin museum built in 1865. Homestead also houses a log barn and an early…

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The road is the experience.

Getting there is often the point, not just the outcome.

Prairie Outpost Park

Hillsboro, North Dakota

Historic buildings include a general store, post office, depot, church and rural school, vets' chapel,…

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The road is the experience.

Getting there is often the point, not just the outcome.

Prairie Song, Indian Territory

Dewey, Oklahoma

Replica of an 1800s prairie village has more than 20 buildings.

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Randolph Jail

Manhattan, Kansas

The Randolph Jail is a nineteenth century jail located on the grounds of the Riley…

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More road, less rush.

There's no need to hurry through something worth experiencing.

Republican Party in Kansas

Osawatomie, Kansas

It was on May 18, 1859, that the Republican Party was organized in Kansas by…

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Reynold's General Store

Oskaloosa, Kansas

Much of of the Midwest was dotted with small towns around the turn of the…

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Robidoux Pass Trading Post

Gering, Nebraska

Following the Oregon Trail can be quite exciting, imagining the pioneers that must have traveled…

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Sam Peppard's Wind Wagon

Oskaloosa, Kansas

Samuel Peppard, a blacksmith and wagon maker during the mid 1800's, has provided the area…

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Santa Fe Trail Ruts

Baldwin City, Kansas

The historic Santa Fe Trail which carried civilization and commerce between the East and the…

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Santa Fe Trail Ruts

Overbrook, Kansas

The Santa Fe Trail closely follows State Highway 56 across the northern portion of Osage…

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Santa Fe Trail Well

Baldwin City, Kansas

Located three blocks north of Highway 56 on Washington Street in Baldwin (the only Palmyra…

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A place to slow down.

Not every stop needs to be busy to be worth your time.

Snowflake Monument

Snowflake

Those acquainted with Arizona know that the Town of Snowflake receives its share of snow…

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Sod and Stubble Country Self-Guided Auto Tour

Downs, Kansas

Three miles northwest of the city of Downs is located the site of the 1871…

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Stone Post Country

Wilson, Kansas

The miles of stone fenceposts in this area stand as a tribute to the ingenuity…

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Summerville Cabin

Westmoreland, Kansas

The Summerville cabin was built in 1867. It was donated to the Rock Creek Valley…

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Territory Town Museum

Okemah, Oklahoma

Walk along the boardwalk in Territory Town and look into the store fronts of the…

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The 2nd "Old Jail"

Mt. Vernon, Missouri

The county's first log jail burned in 1854, and a brick structure was built on…

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The 3rd "Old Jail"

Mt. Vernon, Missouri

This imposing structure on the north side of the square was built at a cost…

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Take less, experience more.

What you carry matters less than what you notice.

The Dillon House

Rolla, Missouri

This log house was the first courthouse built in 1857 with hand hewn logs 18…

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The Frontier Town of Plainview, AR

Plainview, Arkansas

The old Frontier Town of Plainview, Arkansas, looks like you just stepped back into the…

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Take the long way.

The best parts of the trip are usually the ones you didn't plan.

The Heritage Center on Johnson Creek

Arlington, Texas

The Heritage Center on Johnson Creek is part of the Arlington Historical Society's Fielder House…

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The Railroad Gazebo

Downs, Kansas

The Railroad Gazebo, located in the railroad park, is a replica of the original gazebo…

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Pause when it feels right.

Some stops aren't on the map, but they're worth taking.

The Tom Kennon Blacksmith Shop

Doniphan, Missouri

A working blacksmith shop, home to an active community forge group. Blacksmithing demonstrations on most…

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Go a little further.

The next turn is often where things start to get interesting.

Theodore Roosevelt's Maltese Cross Ranch Cabin

Medora, North Dakota

Theodore Roosevelt's first ranch cabin built after arriving in Dakota Territory for a hunting trip.

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Take the long way.

The best parts of the trip are usually the ones you didn't plan.

Threshing Machine Canyon

WaKeeney, Kansas

In 1867, a party of travelers were transporting three threshing machines belonging to Brigham Young…

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Tibbot Schoolhouse

Oskaloosa, Kansas

Originally a country schoolhouse located southeast of Oskaloosa, the Tibbot school was moved to Oskaloosa…

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Transue Brothers Blacksmith and Wagon Shop Museum

Summerfield, Kansas

The blacksmith business in Summerfield, Kansas is by far the oldest continuous business in the…

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Two Story Log House

Beaver City, Nebraska

Visiting the log house is an experience that one can thoroughly enjoy. The original setting…

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Make time for quiet places.

Not every destination needs noise to be meaningful.

Wadeson Cabin State Historic Site

Kathryn, North Dakota

This hand-hewn oak log cabin was built in 1878. It has served as a community…

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Wellman Schoolhouse

Oskaloosa, Kansas

The school was built in 1887 on the homestead of Harrison W. Wellman, in the…

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Werner Wagon Works and Guest House

Horton, Kansas

Keeping Our Roots Alive by Passing on the Old Pioneer Skills Visiting Werner Wagon Works,…

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Wetzel's Cabin

Grandview Plaza, Kansas

This cabin was built in 1857 by the C.F. Wetzel family. In 1861, a Lutheran…

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Winchester Jail

Oskaloosa, Kansas

Built in 1909, this jail came from the town of Winchester, Kansas. Since it was…

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Women's Bridge

Baldwin City, Kansas

The native stone and brick bridge over Tauy Creek was erected in 1890 at the…

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More road, less rush.

There's no need to hurry through something worth experiencing.

Yanda Log Cabin

Glen Carbon, Illinois

The ceiling rafters and attic floor are from the original log cabin, and the sidewalks…

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Upcoming & Annual Events

Somewhere between here and nowhere.

The spaces in between are often the most memorable.

Pioneer Skills Festival

Lewis, Iowa

Visitors will be able to see and participate in skills used by pioneers in everyday…

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