Riley County, KS
Historically, Riley County was one of the first 36 counties organized by the first Kansas Territorial Legislature in 1855. Its boundaries have been changed many times, but since its1886 platte, it is distinctly noticeable as Kansas' most irregular shape having its long, eastern border defined by the Big Blue River. Its earliest colony was settled by the New England Emigrant Aid Society selecting the townsite of Manhattan in 1855. The county was named in honor of Major Bennett Riley who commanded the first military escort on the Santa Fe Trail in 1829. Fort Riley, established at the junction of the Republican and Smoky Rivers, was named in his honor in 1853.
Today, Riley County still carries the history of its earliest settlers in the amazing limestone buildings, homes, and churches throughout the county. It is the home of Kansas State University academic excellence and Big 12 athletics. Tuttle Creek Reservoir, the state's second largest reservoir offers endless outdoor recreation opportunities. Fort Riley Military Reservation occupies a vast number of acres in the western portion of the county where active military training is carried on daily as well as offering public availability to the historic buildings within the fort.
Explore Riley County
Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art
The Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art offers an in-depth look at Kansas art and brings art and artists from around the world to the heart of Kansas. This 25,000 sq. ft. facility is home to KSU's permanent art collection. Since its establishment in 1928, this collection has grown to over 7,000
Manhattan, KS MuseumsWolf Butterfield House Museum
The Wolf Butterfield House served as a way station for the Butterfield Stage Line started by David Butterfield in 1865. The limestone house contained dining and sleeping faciltities as well as a tavern for stage line patrons.
Manhattan, KS Museums
Kansas State University
Founded in 1863 as the nation's first land grant college, Kansas State University is a nationally recognized comprehensive university with more than 200 undergraduate programs, 60 master's degree programs, and 40 doctoral programs. More than 20,000 students and 1,200
Manhattan, KS CollegesRiley County Courthouse
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places the dominating limestone Courthouse was completed in 1906, built by Topeka contractor, J.B. Betts, and local contractor, Clarence Johnson. The citizens pledged $1,000 for the tower clock.
Manhattan, KS Historic CourthousesCarnegie Library
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Carnegie Library was built in 1904 with the help of a $10,000 grant from Andrew Carnegie. The building is located just to the west of the Courthouse and now houses the county attorney's office.
Manhattan, KS Carnegie LibrariesPioneer Log Cabin
The pioneer museum was built in 1915 as a home and displays agricultural tool exhibits.
Manhattan, KS MuseumsSunset Zoo
The 52-acre Sunset Zoo is home to 13 endangered species as well as many other rare animals. It features the largest outdoor chimpanzee exhibit in Kansas - Chimpanzees of Tanganyika - along the lush African Forest Trail. Visit the Bald eagle's Aerie, BATS!
Manhattan, KS ZoosKonza Prairie
In the heart of the Flint Hills, the 8,616-acre Konza Prairie is a rare opportunity to experience the Prairie as the pioneers did during their trek westward. Once a part of the Dewey Ranch, Chicago Industrialist C.P. Dewey acquired the prairie piece by piece during the last quarter of the 1800s. <
Manhattan, KS Nature PreservesHartford House
The Hartford House that sets adjacent to the Historical Society Museum is a restoration of a prefabricated house that the early settlers brought to Manhattan in 1855
Manhattan, KSRandolph Jail
The Randolph Jail is a nineteenth century jail located on the grounds of the Riley County Historical Museum. It was relocated here from the old town of Randolph in northern Riley County when the old town location was moved with the creation of Tuttle Creek Reservoir.
Manhattan, KS Pioneer LifeHarold M. Freund American Museum of Baking
The American Museum of Baking housed in the Emerson Library of the American Institute of Baking, contains one of the world's largest collections of artifacts on baking history, including the "world's largest collection of baker statuettes and figurines,"
Manhattan, KS MuseumsRiley County Historical Museum
Take a peek at the past through changing exhibits on Riley County history and in the photographs, manuscripts, letters, diaries and records of our research library. Included in the Museum Complex is the 1855 prefabricated Hartford House, the Randolph Jail, and the Goodnow House.
Manhattan, KS Museums