Marion County, KS
Welcome to Marion County!You will soon discover some of the best kept secrets in the Heartland!
Each community in Marion County has a unique heitage, which you may share and experience at any of the many museums, restaurants, craft shops and other attractions throughout the country.
Marion County is located at the center of it all, in the middle of Kansas in the central United States.
In the 1860's, Marion County extended west all the way to the Colorado Territory line!. Today those borders have been reduced, but Marion County Still offers plenty of territory for tourism and recreation!
Marion County is the only location in the United States where the Santa Fe Trail and Chisholm Trail cross each other's paths. Visitors may track the Santa Fe Trail in northern Marion County, near Lost Springs, Romona, Tampa and Durham.
Cowboys herded longhorns from Texas along the famous Chisholm Trail, located in the western part of the county near Goessel, Lehigh, Hillsboro and Durham.
In southern Marion County, the towns of Florence and Peabody were founded along the route of the Santa Fe Railroad.
Old Indian trails cross through the county, as well. Many artifacts continue to be discovered in several locations.
Explore Marion County
1887 Olde Towne Restaurant
The three-story Olde Towne building was completed in 1880, a year after Hillsboro was founded. It was restored in 1887. Over the years, the building has housed a bank, hardware and dry goods store, apartments on the upper floor, and egg processing plant. The building was vacant in the 1960
Hillsboro, KS Historic BuildingsMarion Country Club and Golf Course
If you take potential hazards as a personal challenge, then the Marion golf course heads the list. A natural creek meanders through the hilly nine hole course and provides plenty of challenges to golfers.
Marion, KS Golf CoursesPresbyterian Church
The distinction of being the oldest church organization in Marion County belongs to the Presbyterian Church of Marion, which is also listed on the State Register of Historic Buildings. The native stone used to build this structure was cut in 1872
Marion, KS Historic ChurchesPeabody Printing Museum
The Peabody Printing Museum is a collection of hot type equipment dating from 1870 to 1920. Not only is this Museum an attraction for those visiting Peabody, it also serves as a memorial to the thousands of "ink-stained wretches"
Peabody, KS MuseumsMarion County Courthouse
Completed in 1909, the Romanesque revival, native limestone courthouse has a clock tower and stone carvings at entrance. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Marion, KS Historic CourthousesCentral Park
Central Park continues to be a favorite spot to gather for outdoor fun, or sometimes just a stoll among the century old Burr Oaks. The shade from these mighty oaks makes this an outdoor haven even during those warm Kansas summers. The historic fountain built in the park in 1884
Marion, KS RecreationThe Kreutziger Schoolhouse
The Kreutziger Schoolhouse reminds us of the early education on the Kansas prairie, 1886-1960. Today the bell tower, the desks and the stove show how one teacher taught eight grades with an average of from 20 to 30 students.
Hillsboro, KS Historic SchoolhousesPeabody Downtown Walking Tour
33 sites along Walnut Street, the main street of Peabody, remarkably remain while most pioneer towns suffer losses from fires and storms. The oldest building dating to 1878, was first occupied by a bank, then the majority of other buildings were built in 1883.
Peabody, KS ToursMennonite Settlement Museum
The Mennonite Settlement Museum celebrates the thousands of immigrant Russian and Polish Mennonites who settled in western Marion and eastern McPherson Counties in the early 1870s. The museum includes: The historic Peter Paul Loewen House
Hillsboro, KS MuseumsElgin House Apartments
The Elgin House apartments was originally a 42 room hotel with a dining room that seated 80 guests, and provided billiard and card rooms. It was built in 1886 of native stone, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Marion, KS Historic Hotels