Morton County, KS
Coronado traveled across this land on his return to Mexico. Kiowa, Cherokee and Apache Indians hunted bufflo until Army generals ordered the massacre of 400,000 in one day, believing "the only way to get rid of the Indians was to kill the buffalo."Thirty-three miles of historic Santa Fe Trail cross 108,000 acres of the Cimaron National Grassland. Today one can still see ruts and the site where freight wagons camped at Middle Spring and used Point of Rocks as lookout point from 1821-1880.
A former trading post, Richfield became the county seat. It was shot up on many a Saturday night by cowboys who traveled the National Cattle Trail from Texas to Nebraska because of the cattle quarantine.
The Santa Fe Trail Railroad headed southwest from Dodge City, and the towns of Rolla, Wilburton and Elkhart sprang up along the southern border because of the tracks.
Morton County was established in 1886 and after several battles for the county seat, it was moved from Richfield to Elkhart in 1961.
Explore Morton County
Santa Fe "Companion" Trail
The Cimarron National Grassland near Elkhart, Kansas, contains 23 miles of the Santa Fe Trail's Cimarron Route, the longest Trail segment on public land. A 19-mile "companion"
Elkhart, KS Natural AttractionsMorton County Historical Society Museum
A visit to the Morton County Historical Museum is an exploration in history. As you enter the museum, you will note the beautiful paintings around the room, depicting the history of Morton County. All are painted by local artists, reflecting pride in sturdy pioneer ancestors.
Elkhart, KS MuseumsPoint Rock Golf Club
Hidden in the Southwest Corner of Kansas you will find Point Rock Golf Club. Point Rock is the newest of the nine-hole golf courses that have been built in Southwest Kansas. Point Rock get its name from the Point of Rocks area Northwest of the City of Elkhart in the Cimarron National Grasslands.
Elkhart, KS Golf CoursesWhistle Stop Park
The newest city park, Whistle Stop Park, runs parallel to the railroad tracks of Elkhart and covers 23.5 acres. Located along Highway 56
Elkhart, KS RecreationSemi-pro Baseball
Elkhart boasts its own semiprofessional baseball team, the Dusters, sanctioned by the National Collegiate Athletic Association. Promising, hopeful players descend on the community each summer to play, practice and live with local families.
Elkhart, KS RecreationOlympic Medalists Glen Cunningham and Thane Baker
Glenn ran on the 1932 and 1936 U.S. Olympic teams winning a silver medal in 1936 in the 1500 meters. In 1938 he set an indoor mile world record with a time of 4.04.4
Elkhart, KS Famous PeopleTri-State Marker
Visitors will want to see "8 Mile Corner", where the states of Kansas, Colorado and Oklahoma meet. It is located eight miles west of Elkhart on the State Line Road.
Elkhart, KS MarkersCimarron National Grassland
Welcome to the Cimarron National Grassland, one of twenty National Grasslands administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. At 108,175 acres it is the largest area of public land in Kansas and the only parcel managed by the Forest Service.
Elkhart, KS ParkMiddle Springs
A short distance east of Point of Rocks is Middle Springs, a small oasis on the prairie where water rises from an ever-flowing artesian spring. It was the only reliable watering spot for 30
Elkhart, KS Natural Attractions