Marshall County, KS
Marshall County is rich in history with eleven sites on the National Historic Register. It is crossed by eight historic trails, including the Oregon Trail, the Pony Express Trail, the Military Trail, Overland (Stage) Trail, Mormon Trail, Otoe Trail, Pike's Peak-California Trail and St. Joseph-California Trail. It is also crossed by the railroad, which entered the county in the 1860's. It is estimated the westward migration over twenty-three years saw 500,000 follow these trails. The town of Frankfort is located on one of the longest Indian Trails in the United States. Blue Rapids is home of some of the purest gypsum mined in the world, and host to the 1913 World Tour, Chicago White Sox and New York Giants game. In 1851, Francis J. (Frank) Marshall of Weston, Missouri arrived at the bank of the Big Blue River. He came to establish a trading post and to operate a ferry. On November 11, 1854, he opened the first civilian post office in the territory of Kansas. Marshall lent his name to the county and Marysville, the county seat, was named to honor his wife.
Prairie grass along the valleys and gentle slopes of Marshall County were transformed by immigrants into fertile acres of corn, milo, wheat, alfalfa and soybeans. Descendants of the first Hereford cattle brought into the county from England still are bred here, along with large herds of Angus and dairy cattle.
Explore Marshall County
Fountain Park Square
The downtown area is built around a Fountain Park which gives Blue Rapids the distinction of being the only round town square in Kansas. Founders platted the town much like those in New England to include a "hub"
Blue Rapids, KS RecreationAlcove Spring
Alcove Spring is a spring of fresh water flowing from the side of the alcove into the basin below the Naomi Pike 10-12 foot falls, all in a woodland setting. The spring has never been known to dry up, even during severe Kansas droughts. Today, the spring is part of a 223
Blue Rapids, KS LandmarksDoll House Museum
Enjoy a nationally recognized collection of Dolls, Indians, Toys and History, stretching from antique to the present time and all appearing in storytelling antics. The "Doll Museum comes with it's own unique Story Telling Experience." Over 1,500
Marysville, KS Museums1913 World Tour Exhibition Game Site
On October 24, 1913, Blue Rapids played host to the Chicago White Sox and New York Giants as they played an exhibition game while on World Tour. More than 3,000 fans sat on bleachers, hung on fences, and watched from Model T's when the teams came to town. Advance tickets sold for $1.00 and cost $1.5
Blue Rapids, KS Historic SitesHistoric Trails Park
Historic Trails Park recognizes the Trails that merged at this point because of the ability to cross the river on the ferry. Trail traffic often crossed a low water ford north of this park bringing westbound travelers through this very spot on the south bank of the Blue River. Marshall'
Marysville, KS Pioneer LifePony Express Bronze Horse & Rider
The bronze Pony Express Horse & Rider are located at the Pony Express Plaza, between Broadway & Highway 36 at 7th Street. The park is currently under construction, due to be finished this summer. The Pony Express Horse &
Marysville, KS Pony ExpressHistoric Library
The Blue Rapids Public Library, second site in Marshall County chosen for the National Register of Historic Buildings, was built in 1875 for a library and has served for that purpose ever since. The library has existed in one location longer than any other library in the state.
Blue Rapids, KS National RegisterHolm Log Cabin
The two room Holm cabin was built by Swedish pioneers in approximately 1876 of hand hewn logs of oak and door frames of walnut. The cabin was lived in until about 1981.
Blue Rapids, KS Pioneer LifePusch-Randell-Anderson Home
[Pusch-Randell-Anderson Home] Just east of the Historic Koester Block is one of Marysville's finest houses, the F.S. "Bud" Anderson home. Built in 1904
Marysville, KS Historic HomesGypsum Plant
In 1871, Judge J.V. Coon of Elyria, Ohio, visited Blue rapids and took samples of gypsum back to Ohio for testing. It was found to be suitable for the manufacturing of plaster of paris. In 1872, he and a brother returned and set up the first machinery for processing gypsum. In the early 1900
Blue Rapids, KS ToursHutchinson House
The Hutchinson House is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Built by Perry Hutchinson in 1872, this French Renaissance architectural style home is now a private residence.
Marysville, KS Historic HomesMarysville Country Club
Course Access: Private
Holes: 9
Reserve Advance Tee Times: