The western frontier began in Kansas. From Native Americans being moved here from the east, to bitter battles over the settlement of the state that led to the nickname “Bleeding Kansas,” to Conestoga wagons followed by trains criss-crossing the state taking people along the trails in the search of new opportunities.
Day 1
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Start the day in Fort Scott with a trolley ride through the town to soak up the turn of the century architecture and history of this one-time fort town. Stop in some of the specialty shops in the historic downtown. Visit the Fort Scott National Historic Site the frontier military fort that witnessed the settlement of Bleeding Kansas and early days of the Civil War. |
Travel 25 miles north on U.S. 69 on the Frontier Military Scenic Byway to Pleasanton
Continue north on the Byway 89 miles to Leavenworth
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The Byway stretches from the southern most tip of Kansas along the eastern border of the state to the oldest Army fort in continuous service west of the Mississippi at Fort Leavenworth. Many of the historic sites date back to the early days of the post. Follow the historical waysides tour, starting at the Frontier Army Museum. |
Travel 32 miles south to overnight in Olathe
Day 2
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After your brief encounter with the finest of modern conveniences, travel back in time to the days of the wagon trains and the Santa Fe Trail. Pay a visit to the Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farm Historic Site, the last remaining stop open to the public on the Santa Fe Trail. Take a wagon ride through the grounds and In April you can attend the Civil War on the Western Border event and see a Civil War Re-enactment. |
Head west 29 miles on K-10 to Lawrence
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Welcome to Lawrence, the town that burned at the hands of William S. Quantrill by border ruffians. Explore the history of American-Indians at the Haskell Indian Nations University Cultural Center, an education about the cultures that helped shape America. |
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The University of Kansas stands high on a hill overlooking Lawrence. Early traders, explorers and families climbed the ridge that is now Jayhawk Boulevard to head west along the Oregon Trail. The home of the University of Kansas provides many nighttime activities from arts to sports, and an active downtown offers many shopping and dining possibilities. Browse in an atmosphere of friendliness and hospitality typical of the Midwest. Find uncommon gifts in the eclectic boutiques that line Massachusetts Street downtown or search for fabulous shopping finds that are available throughout Lawrence. |
Day 3
Continue west 27 miles to Topeka
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Topeka is the capital of Kansas and no stop would be complete without a stop in the majestic capitol building. View John Steuart Curry’s famous larger-than-life mural of abolitionist John Brown, then climb the 296 steps to the top of the dome and survey the city of Topeka from this bird’s eye view. |
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Visit the Kansas History Museum to learn about the area known as Kansas from the days when Native Americans inhabited the land and the buffalo roamed in herds across the plains. Watch the progression of technology and innovation that brought about settlement from the covered wagon and trains, to airplanes that make up one of the largest industries in the state. |
Expand your adventure:
Day 4
Travel 65 miles west on I-70 to Junction City
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On the grounds of Fort Riley explore the history of the Army. Visit the U.S. Cavalry Museum to discover the history of the American mounted soldier. Wander through the Custer House to see what a General’s home would have been like on the frontier. |
Take scenic K-18 northeast 18 miles to Manhattan
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Stop at the Goodnow House State Historic Siteand visit the 1860s home of Isaac Goodnow the founder of Bluemont College, which eventually became Kansas State University. For an afternoon snack visit the Student Union for a ice cream cone made fresh from the school’s own dairy cows. |
Day 5
Travel south 38 miles on K-177 to Council Grove
Other great history-based experiences across the state include:
Fort Larned National Historic Site (Larned) - A restored fort along the Santa Fe Trail.
Cottonwood Ranch State Historic Site (Studley) - An English inspired sheep ranch homestead.
Dalton Gang Hideout Museum (Meade) – Walk through the tunnel that the legendary outlaws used to escape detection during their crime sprees.
Photo Credit: Roy Inman
