Barton County, KS
The history of the area that was later to become Barton County, Kansas has an ancient beginning in relation to man, perhaps even more so than her sister counties. This situation was caused by a combination of several phenomena of nature that attracted man to this area. The flood plain created by the Walnut Creek and Arkansas River produced luxuriant pasture which attracted the great game herds which in turn attracted man, the hunter.For man to cross the Great American Desert he required dependable supply of wood and water. The Arkansas River and the Walnut Creek furnished these essentials and so ancient man crossed the area in his travels in search of food and trade articles by following a trail adjacent to the river.
"Long before William Bicknell and his trading party in 1820, followed The (Santa Fe) Trail along the Arkansas River through Kansas to Santa Fe, Indians carried goods from California, thru Kansas, to Minnesota over The Trail. Coronado used it in exploring North America in 1541; Zebulon Pike arrived at Walnut Creek in 1806; 1812 it led McNights party and in 1825, Major George C Sibleys' government survey team; 1829 Major Bennet Riley's Infantry shot its first Buffalo of the expedition."
The Barton County area has many historic points on the Santa Fe Trail, including Fort Zarah, and the Walnut Creek Crossing. A common presence to all of these travelers is Pawnee Rock in the Southwest corner of Barton County, now a national landmark.
Explore Barton County
Historic Crest Theatre
The Crest Theater, a former movie theater in downtown Great Bend, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has been renovated for use as a live performing arts facility. In addition to four community theater productions a year, the 618 seat theater'
Great Bend, KS TheatresHistoric Dick Building and Ellinwood Museum
The Dick Building was built in 1887 and is listed on the Kansas State Historical Register. It was bought by Matt Dick in 1889
Ellinwood, KS MuseumsBarton County Historical Museum & Village
The Barton County Historical Society Museum & Village lets you take a fascinating walk into the past. The Village is located on a five-acre tract of land that is south of Great Bend.
Nine buildings are part of the Village including an 1871 Pioneer Rock Home, an 1898 Church, a 1910 Depot, a 19
Great Bend, KS MuseumsHoliday Trail of Lights
Every year visitors from all over the Midwest hit the trail to Great Bend. Our holiday light displays are among the best in the nation. In fact, the trail is a recipient of the American Bus Association's Top 100 Events in North America for the year 2000
Great Bend, KS ToursKansas Oil & Gas Hall Of Fame And Museum
The Museum was founded in 1990 by a group interested in preserving the history of the oil and gas industry.
Great Bend, KS Museums
Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Refuge
There are 650 bird species in the United States, 417 in Kansas, and 320 in Cheyenne Bottoms! Besides birds, there are 23 species of mammals 19 species of reptiles and nine species of amphibians.
Great Bend, KS Wildlife Refuges
Wolf Pond
Wolf Pond is a popular fishing spot, and one of several parks and playgrounds in Ellinwood.
Ellinwood, KS RecreationWolf Park Bandshell
Fred Wolf bought the lots for a park on Mainstreet and in 1930 a bandshell was built by Young Construction Company of Hutchinson for under $4000. There was seating for 35 muscicians. Trees, shrubs, flowers, paths, and a gold fish pool were designed for the park. Soon seating for 250
Ellinwood, KS AmphitheatersBrit Spaugh Park And Zoo
Tucked in Brit Spaugh Park on North Main, the Zoo is great Bend's little jewel. Dedicated to the conservation, preservation and rescue of animals and the education and entertainment of both children and adults, the Zoo is a natural resource for Great Bend and its visitors.
Great Bend, KS Zoos
Santa Fe Depot
The existing Santa Fe Depot is the fourth depot built in Ellinwood and was dedicated on Dec. 17, 1903. The previous depot was hit by lightning and burned in 1902
Ellinwood, KS Railroad History