Lone Elm KansasATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Lone Elm, Kansas.
1. Lone Elm Cemetery
HISTORIC STONE BEEHIVE WELL
Lone Elm Cemetery features a giant stone 'beehive' structure that protects an old water well. Located five miles west of Kincaid on U.S. 59, this unique landmark stands out among the gravestones. The cemetery offers visitors a glimpse into the area's history and architectural heritage.
2. Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop & Farm
LIVING HISTORY FARM EXPERIENCE
Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop & Farm is a historic site that preserves one of the last remaining stagecoach stops on the Santa Fe Trail. Visitors can experience 1860s farm life through interactive demonstrations and seasonal activities. The site offers authentic stagecoach rides and educational programs about Kansas frontier history.
3. Ernie Miller Nature Center
WILDLIFE AND NATURE EDUCATION
Ernie Miller Nature Center offers visitors the chance to explore Kansas wildlife and natural habitats through interactive exhibits and educational programs. The center features hiking trails through 116 acres of forest, stream, and prairie habitats. Live animal exhibits and naturalist-led programs provide engaging learning experiences for all ages.
4. Ensor Park and Museum
RADIO HISTORY LANDMARK
Ensor Park and Museum preserves the homestead of Marshall Ensor, a pioneering amateur radio operator and industrial arts teacher. The farmstead includes the original 1890s farmhouse filled with period furnishings and amateur radio equipment from the early 20th century. Visitors can explore the property's outbuildings and learn about early wireless communication technology.
5. Cedar Lake Park
PEACEFUL LAKESIDE RECREATION
Cedar Lake Park offers a tranquil setting for outdoor recreation centered around a scenic lake. Visitors can enjoy fishing, non-motorized boating, and walking trails along the shoreline. The park provides picnic facilities and natural areas for wildlife viewing throughout the seasons.
6. Lone Elm Park
HISTORIC TRAIL CAMPGROUND
Lone Elm Park preserves the site of a historic campground that served travelers on the Santa Fe, Oregon, and California Trails. The park features interpretive displays that tell the story of the thousands of pioneers who camped at this once-wooded oasis. Modern amenities include sports fields, playgrounds, and walking trails that complement the site's historical significance.
7. John Brown Museum
CIVIL WAR HISTORY
The John Brown Museum commemorates the abolitionist's legacy through artifacts and exhibits related to his fight against slavery in Kansas. Located in the Adair Cabin where Brown stayed with his relatives, the museum provides insight into the territorial conflicts that preceded the Civil War. The site is part of the larger John Brown Memorial Park which honors those who died in the Battle of Osawatomie.
8. Fort Scott National Historic Site
FRONTIER MILITARY POST
Fort Scott National Historic Site preserves a military post established in 1842 to protect the Permanent Indian Frontier. The fort features 20 restored historic structures including barracks, officers' quarters, and hospital buildings arranged around a parade ground. Living history programs and exhibits illustrate the fort's role in westward expansion, the Civil War, and the settlement of southeast Kansas.
9. Rees Fruit Farm
FRESH ORCHARD EXPERIENCE
Rees Fruit Farm offers visitors a chance to enjoy freshly grown fruits and farm-made products in a rural setting. The family-owned orchard produces apples, peaches, and other seasonal fruits available for picking or purchase at their market. Visitors can enjoy homemade cider, jams, and baked goods while experiencing traditional farming practices.
10. Wolf Creek Generating Station Visitor Center
NUCLEAR ENERGY EDUCATION
Wolf Creek Generating Station Visitor Center provides educational exhibits about nuclear power generation and environmental stewardship. Visitors can learn about how nuclear energy works through interactive displays and informative presentations. The center offers views of the cooling lake and information about the plant's role in providing electricity to the region.
11. Stony Lonesome School
PIONEER EDUCATION LANDMARK
Stony Lonesome School is a preserved one-room schoolhouse that offers a glimpse into rural education in early Kansas. The historic structure contains original furnishings and educational materials from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Visitors can experience what school life was like for pioneer children in Anderson County.
12. El Quartelejo Pueblo Indian Ruins
ANCIENT NATIVE SETTLEMENT
El Quartelejo Pueblo Indian Ruins preserves the northernmost pueblo dwelling in the United States, constructed by Taos Indians who fled Spanish rule in the 1600s. The archaeological site features the foundation remains of a seven-room structure made of stone and adobe. Visitors can learn about this unique cultural intersection through interpretive displays at the adjacent Lake Scott State Park.
13. County Line School
HISTORIC RURAL EDUCATION
County Line School stands as a preserved example of rural education in early Kansas. The one-room schoolhouse contains authentic period furnishings and educational materials that demonstrate how children learned in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Visitors can step back in time and experience the simplicity of frontier education in this historic structure.
14. Steele Homestead
PIONEER FAMILY SETTLEMENT
Steele Homestead preserves the living quarters and agricultural buildings of an early Kansas pioneer family. The restored property showcases period furnishings, farming implements, and domestic artifacts from frontier life. Visitors can experience the challenges and innovations of homesteading in Anderson County during the territorial and early statehood periods.
15. Scipio St. Boniface Church
HISTORIC RELIGIOUS ARCHITECTURE
Scipio St. Boniface Church is a historic Catholic church featuring distinctive limestone architecture and beautiful stained glass windows. Built in the late 19th century by German immigrants, the church stands as a testament to the religious heritage of early Kansas settlers. The peaceful rural setting and cemetery offer visitors a glimpse into the spiritual life of frontier communities.