Things To Do in Concordia, Kansas

Concordia is located in Cloud County in North Central Kansas. Nestled right at the crossroads of US-81 Hwy and KS-9 Hwy, Concordia is a beautiful respite for many travelers each year as well as a popular tourist destination. With the fast pace of the highways that run through it, the railroads that brought life to the community and inspired growth, and the welcoming nature of a charming agriculture-based community, Concordia is a unique blend of progress and pride in its roots. Rich in attractions and steeped in history, Concordia is home to 8 major attractions, several of which are on the National Register of Historic Places. In 2017, Concordia was officially named The Orphan Train Town, embracing the history of the social and cultural movement of the Orphan Trains that traveled across the United States.

Attractions

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More About Concordia

The Brown Grand Theatre (NRHP), a historic 1907 fully restored performing arts venue. Built by Col. Napoleon Bonaparte Brown, it served as an entertainment hub, serving many areas as trains brought theatergoers from miles and miles. As train travel faded, the theatre was converted to a movie theater until the 1980’s when it was fully restored to its original beauty and purpose, live entertainment.
The Nazareth Motherhouse (NRHP), a massive five-story brick and native stone building was built in 1902 after outgrowing its original location. Established in Concordia in 1884 the sister’s mission was one of service, especially to those who suffered at the fringes of life: the poor, the homeless, the orphans, the sick, and the dying. The convent served as an academy for students of all faiths for many years and now houses retired Sisters of St. Joseph from across the country. The Sisters of St. Joseph actively serve in 10 states as well as in Brazil. They are drawn to missions of mercy, social justice, and human rights, working for change in the world.
WWII German POW Camp Concordia is located just outside of town. It was in operation from 1943-1945 and was one of 16 camps in Kansas. Camp Concordia is one of the of very few camps across the country that still has standing buildings original to the site. The grounds have 5 original buildings resting on 4 original foundations. The museum houses many artifacts from the soldiers and prisoners at the camp. At its peak, it housed over 4000 German prisoners and 1000 military and civilian personnel.
The National Orphan Trian Complex Museum and Research Center (NRHP) is dedicated to preserving the stories and artifacts of those who were a part of the Orphan Train Movement from 1854-1929. Established in 2007, the NOTC works to educate and promote a better understanding of the social and cultural movements in our nation’s history. While there are no longer any living Orphan Train Riders or placement agents, they have helped numerous Orphan Train descendants and historians find information, trace genealogy, and connect with each other’s shared experiences through annual reunions.
What began as a few bronze statues depicting Orphan Train riders, has become a Statue Stroll attraction featuring 38 statues placed throughout the town (and 2 outside of Concordia). Each of these statues has plaques which contain brief biographies of specific riders. In 2017, Concordia was officially named The Orphan Train Town.
The Cloud County Museum is housed in the former 1908 Carnegie Library. It has significantly expanded its original building with large addition, which is home to a 1928 Lincoln-Page bi-plane, a Martha Washington letter, Boston Corbett artifacts, a recreation of a beloved local soda shop, as well as many artifacts specific to the county’s history. In addition to the main museum, the Museum Annex, on the opposite corner of the block, contains numerous antique vehicles, artifacts from the Baron’s Hotel, old school bells, houses Cloud County Tourism and is home to the Whole Wall Mural.
The Whole Wall Mural is located on the corner of 6^th and Lincoln. At 140 ft long, comprised of 6,400 bricks, it is the largest hand-carved mural in the United States. Created by artist Catherine Magel and sculptor Mara Smith, it was a significant undertaking that began in 2007 as a project of the Cloud County Historical Society. It is made entirely out of local brick donated by Cloud Ceramics. It tells a story of Cloud County’s history in its exquisitely hand-carved brick.
The Broadway Plaza is Concordia’s premier public outdoor entertainment space. Featuring an LED digital wide screen, stage, a large lawn, concessions, and the ever-popular splash pad, Broadway Plaza hosts hundreds of events year-round and has quickly become a favorite gathering place in downtown Concordia fostering a strong sense of community.