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Manhattan, Kansas

Manhattan, Kansas

It all began in the spring of 1855 when the Cincinnati and Kansas Land Co. left Ohio on the steamboat Hartford. They were headed for central Kansas via the Ohio, Mississippi, Missouri, and Kansas Rivers. Their goal: to settle a town and name it Manhattan, thinking it might become a second Manhattan, New York.

On the way up the Kansas River, three men stopped, went ashore, and hired a wagon. They drove to what is now Junction city, where they intended to start the Manhattan of the Midwest.

But the Hartford ran aground in the Kansas River south of the confluence of the Blue and Kansas Rivers.

The Cincinnati and Kansas Land Co. and all of the small groups of settlers already in the area joined forces to form a town, which they agreed to call Manhattan.

Manhattan has grown steadily since then. Although Manhattan, Kansas, may not be another New York City in size, residents of Manhattan of the Midwest think you'll savor the savvy of "The Little Apple."

"The Little Apple" is home to more than 40,000 people today. Manhattan is nestled in among the picturesque Flint Hills, so named for their numerous bands of limestone and flint.

Attractions and Upcoming Events

Hartford 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, KS

Riley 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 Courthouses

Harold 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 Museums

First National Bank Building

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the First National Bank was at this location from 1887 to 1912.

This building and its twin building next door were built by J.N. Limbocker and are now part of the Manhattan Town Center structure.

Manhattan, KS Historic Buildings

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 Colleges

Things to do near Manhattan, KS

Augusta Fine Arts Center & Gallery

The Fine Arts Center and Gallery features exhibits, classes, and hosts special events for the art community....

Turkey Creek Golf Course

Course Access: PublicHoles: 18Reserve Advance Tee Times: 3 days...