Carlton KansasATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Carlton, Kansas.
1. Carlton Community Center
HISTORIC SCHOOL REPURPOSED
The Carlton Community Center is housed in a brick and stone building that was originally constructed as a school in 1955. The L-shaped structure with glass block and hopper windows features a gymnasium in the rear and now serves as a community center and city building. This repurposed school represents the town's adaptation to changing times after its educational functions were consolidated with Chapman.
2. Carlton Presbyterian Church
HISTORIC SPIRITUAL LANDMARK
Carlton Presbyterian Church continues to serve as an active congregation in this small Dickinson County community. The church stands as one of the few remaining original institutions from Carlton's more prosperous era in the early 20th century. Visitors can appreciate both the architectural heritage and the ongoing spiritual role this structure plays in the local community.
3. Carlton Grain Elevators
AGRICULTURAL HERITAGE SITE
The active grain elevators and silos in Carlton serve as a reminder of the town's agricultural roots. These structures continue to function in their original capacity, maintaining Carlton's historical connection to farming despite the town's overall decline. The elevators stand as imposing landmarks visible from the surrounding countryside.
4. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum
PRESIDENTIAL HISTORY COLLECTION
The Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum in nearby Abilene commemorates the life and legacy of the 34th U.S. President, Dwight D. Eisenhower. Visitors can explore extensive exhibits featuring thousands of artifacts, documents, and photographs related to Eisenhower's military career and presidency. The complex includes Eisenhower's boyhood home, providing insight into his formative years in Kansas.
5. Greyhound Hall of Fame
RACING DOGS MUSEUM
The Greyhound Hall of Fame in Abilene celebrates the history and heritage of greyhound racing in America. The museum features exhibits on the breeding, training, and racing of these elegant dogs, along with memorabilia and interactive displays. Visitors often have the opportunity to meet retired racing greyhounds who serve as living ambassadors for the museum.
6. Seelye Mansion
GILDED AGE ARCHITECTURE
The Seelye Mansion is a stunning 25-room Georgian-style home built in 1905 that showcases the opulence of America's Gilded Age. The mansion features original furnishings from the 1904 World's Fair, Edison light fixtures, and Tiffany-designed windows that reflect the luxurious lifestyle of its original owners. Tours of this meticulously preserved historic home provide visitors with a glimpse into early 20th-century high society in Kansas.
7. Dickinson County Heritage Center
LOCAL HISTORY MUSEUM
The Dickinson County Heritage Center preserves and showcases the history of Abilene and the surrounding county, including Carlton. The museum houses exhibits on pioneer life, cowtown history, and features the Museum of Independent Telephony, highlighting the area's communication technology development. Visitors can also ride a restored 1901 C.W. Parker carousel, designated as a National Historic Landmark.
8. Chapman Historical Museum
SMALL TOWN HISTORY
The Chapman Historical Museum chronicles the development of Chapman and surrounding communities including Carlton. The museum features artifacts, photographs, and documents that tell the story of the area's settlement and growth through the decades. Visitors can gain insight into the educational consolidation that brought Carlton's school system under Chapman's administration in the 1880s.
9. Rock Springs 4-H Center
NATURE AND RECREATION
Rock Springs 4-H Center offers over 700 acres of natural beauty with hiking trails, wildlife observation areas, and outdoor recreational opportunities near Carlton. The center features diverse ecosystems including tallgrass prairie, woodlands, and streams that showcase Kansas's natural heritage. Visitors can enjoy educational programs, camping facilities, and conference accommodations throughout the year.
10. Brookville Hotel Restaurant
FAMOUS FRIED CHICKEN
The Brookville Hotel Restaurant in Abilene is renowned for its family-style fried chicken dinners, continuing a tradition that began in 1870. The restaurant's signature meal includes relish, mashed potatoes with cream gravy, creamed corn, biscuits, and ice cream for dessert, served with remarkable consistency. The distinctive blue and white colonial-style building houses this beloved dining institution that draws visitors from across Kansas and beyond.
11. Russell Stover Candy Outlet
SWEET CHOCOLATE TREATS
The Russell Stover Candy Outlet in Abilene offers a vast selection of chocolates, candies, and sweet treats at discount prices. Shoppers can find seasonal specialties, factory seconds, and traditional favorites from this iconic American candy brand. The store serves as a popular stop for travelers and locals with a sweet tooth looking for gifts or personal indulgence.
12. Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad
HISTORIC TRAIN EXCURSIONS
The Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad offers scenic excursions aboard vintage train cars pulled by a restored diesel locomotive. The railroad operates on historic tracks that once served as vital transportation links for communities like Carlton in their prime. Passengers enjoy narrated journeys through the beautiful Smoky Valley landscape while learning about the region's railroad heritage.
13. Old Abilene Town
WILD WEST EXPERIENCE
Old Abilene Town recreates the wild cowtown atmosphere of 1870s Abilene with historic and replica buildings from the period. Visitors can witness gunfight reenactments, can-can dancing, and experience the ambiance of the frontier town that Wild Bill Hickok once called home. The living history museum showcases the cattle-driving era that shaped the economic development of the entire region.
14. Lebold Mansion
VICTORIAN ARCHITECTURAL GEM
The Lebold Mansion is an impressive 23-room Victorian home built in 1880 that showcases the wealth generated in central Kansas during the cattle boom. The limestone structure features a distinctive mansard roof, ornate woodwork, and period furnishings that transport visitors to the Gilded Age. This architectural treasure represents the prosperity that influenced development throughout Dickinson County, including smaller communities like Carlton.
15. Abilene's Antique Mall
VINTAGE SHOPPING DESTINATION
Abilene's Antique Mall houses dozens of vendors offering an eclectic mix of antiques, collectibles, and vintage items across multiple floors. Shoppers can discover furniture, glassware, toys, jewelry, and memorabilia representing different eras of American history. The mall serves as a treasure-hunting destination where visitors might find artifacts connected to Carlton and other small Kansas communities.