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Newton, Kansas

Newton, Kansas

Newton's history begins in 1870 with the arrival of Judge R.W.P Muse, a railroad agent representing the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe, who was investigating possibilities for extending the railroad. Located on the Chisholm Trail, Newton seemed a very logical location for a Santa Fe terminal. By 1871, the new town had been named by a group of Santa Fe stockholders after their hometown, Newton, Massachusetts. With the completion of the railroad line in 1871, along with stockyards and loading chutes, came a shift in the cattle trade from Abilene to Newton. Newton became the West's newest cowtown and soon became known as "Bloody and lawless - the wickedest city in the west" enjoying the cowboy reign from June 1871 to January 1873. Completion of the Santa Fe to Dodge City and a branch to Wichita drew the cowboys to these places, ushering in more peaceful and prosperous times.

In 1874 Mennonites came to Newton, bringing Turkey Red hard winter wheat to the area on a large scale. Mennonite immigrant Bernhard Warkentin was instrumental in the development of Newton. Warkentin's efforts with hard winter wheat made Kansas known as the "breadbasket of the world."

Attractions and Upcoming Events

500 Main Place

Across the street from the Newton Station stands the historic Railroad Savings and Loan Building now known as 500 Main Place. The Railroad Savings and Loan Association, organized 30 years before the bank was built in 1925

Newton, KS Historic Buildings

Newton Station

The Newton Station, completed in 1930, was built during the Depression for 350,000. Modeled after Shakespeare's house at Stratford-on-Avon, the Newton Station was home to a Harvey House between 1930 and 1955

Newton, KS Historic Buildings

Harvey County East Park

Activities in and around the 320 acre lake include nature trails, boating, swimming, water-skiing, and fishing for walleye, channel catfish, largemouth bass, crappie and sunfish. No hunting is allowed. Camping (electrical hook-ups available)

Newton, KS Recreation

Kauffman Museum

The Kauffman Museum is located on the Bethel College campus in North Newton. The museum emphasizes the cultural and natural history of the Central Plains and the immigration of the Mennonites to Kansas in the 1870

Newton, KS Museums

Mennonite Settler Statue

The tallest, sturdiest Mennonite in Kansas stands seventeen feet tall in the Athletic Park. He is the Mennonite Settler Statue built in 1942

Newton, KS Landmarks

Things to do near Newton, KS

Quivira National Wildlife Refuge

Indian Peace Treaty Pageant

Buffalo Bill Mathewson's Well

Santa Fe Trail Historic Points

While the Santa Fe Trail originated in Franklin, Missouri, and ended in Santa Fe, New Mexico, more than half of it ran throug...

The Old Mill