Olivet KansasATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Olivet, Kansas.
1. Melvern Lake
SCENIC OUTDOOR RECREATION
Melvern Lake is a beautiful reservoir located near Olivet offering various outdoor recreational activities. Visitors can enjoy fishing, boating, swimming, and camping along its picturesque shores. The lake is surrounded by scenic hiking trails that showcase the natural beauty of the Kansas landscape.
2. Swedenborgian Church Historical Site
RELIGIOUS HISTORICAL LANDMARK
The Swedenborgian Church Historical Site marks the religious foundation of Olivet established in 1869 by Reverend A.J. Bartels. This historical landmark represents the town's origins as a planned community centered around the Swedenborgian faith. Visitors can learn about the unique religious history that shaped this small Kansas town.
3. Garden of Eden
WHIMSICAL CONCRETE SCULPTURES
The Garden of Eden features the remarkable concrete sculpture work of SP Dinsmoor that has endured for nearly a century. The imaginative artwork combines both religious and political themes that visitors can explore with self-guided tour sheets. This unique attraction showcases whimsical concrete sculptures surrounding a distinctively designed house with concrete cladding and thoughtfully landscaped grounds.
4. Monument Rocks Natural Area
ANCIENT CHALK FORMATIONS
Monument Rocks Natural Area features impressive pinnacles, small buttes, and spires of chalk from the Niobrara formation. These striking geological formations are erosional remnants of sediments deposited millions of years ago. The site offers visitors a glimpse into Kansas's prehistoric past through its unique landscape formations.
5. Fort Osage National Historic Landmark
RECONSTRUCTED MILITARY OUTPOST
Fort Osage National Historic Landmark stands at a strategic point overlooking the Missouri River that William Clark noted in his 1804 journal. Originally built by Clark in 1808, the fort was later reconstructed in 1941 to preserve this important piece of frontier history. Today, visitors can tour the blockhouses, officers' quarters, and soldiers' barracks, which frequently feature living-history programs depicting the period.
6. Brandt's Meat Market
ARTISANAL SAUSAGE SHOP
Brandt's Meat Market offers visitors tasty house-made sausages and specialty meat products in the artistic town of Lucas. This local favorite provides authentic Kansas flavors and traditional butcher shop offerings. The market complements other attractions in Lucas, making it a perfect stop for culinary enthusiasts exploring this art-centric community.
7. Giant Toilet
QUIRKY PUBLIC ART
The Giant Toilet is an unusual mosaic art installation that has become a quirky landmark in downtown Lucas. This unique public bathroom is covered in elaborate tile mosaics, turning a utilitarian space into an artistic attraction. The installation exemplifies Lucas's reputation as a center for folk art and offbeat creativity in central Kansas.
8. Buffalo Soldier Monument
MILITARY HISTORICAL TRIBUTE
The Buffalo Soldier Monument honors the African American soldiers who served in the 9th and 10th Cavalry Regiments of the U.S. Army. Located at Fort Leavenworth, this bronze statue commemorates the contributions of Black soldiers in the western frontier during the late 19th century. The monument serves as an important historical marker recognizing the often-overlooked role of African Americans in American military history.
9. Frontier Army Museum
MILITARY HISTORY COLLECTION
The Frontier Army Museum houses an extensive collection of artifacts related to the history of the U.S. Army on the frontier. The museum's exhibits span from the establishment of Fort Leavenworth in 1827 through the early 20th century. Visitors can explore displays featuring weapons, uniforms, equipment, and vehicles that tell the story of military life on the American frontier.
10. National Frontier Trails Museum
PIONEER JOURNEY EXHIBITS
The National Frontier Trails Museum chronicles the significant westward expansion trails that shaped American history. This museum focuses on the Santa Fe, Oregon, and California trails that began in Independence, serving as the primary gateway to the West. Exhibits feature original artifacts, journals, and interactive displays that bring to life the experiences of pioneers who embarked on these dangerous journeys.
11. Arabia Steamboat Museum
SUNKEN TREASURE COLLECTION
The Arabia Steamboat Museum displays the remarkably preserved cargo of the steamboat Arabia that sank in the Missouri River in 1856 and was excavated in 1988. The museum houses the largest collection of pre-Civil War artifacts in the world, with thousands of items intended for frontier settlements. Visitors can view perfectly preserved clothing, tools, dishware, and luxury goods that provide a unique window into 19th-century frontier life.
12. Jesse James Farm & Museum
NOTORIOUS OUTLAW'S BIRTHPLACE
The Jesse James Farm & Museum contains the world's largest collection of James family artifacts in the actual home where the infamous outlaw was born and raised. Visitors can tour the restored farmhouse and learn about the life of Jesse and his brother Frank, who became notorious bank and train robbers after the Civil War. The museum provides historical context about the James brothers' transition from Confederate guerrillas to legendary American outlaws.
13. Alexander Majors Historic House & Museum
PONY EXPRESS FOUNDER'S HOME
The Alexander Majors Historic House & Museum preserves the home of the businessman who helped establish the legendary Pony Express. This restored 1856 antebellum house in Kansas City's Waldo neighborhood served as the headquarters for Majors' freight business that helped develop towns along the Santa Fe Trail. Visitors can tour the historic home and barn to learn about this pivotal figure in western transportation history.
14. Miniatures Museum
TINY ARTISTIC CREATIONS
The Miniatures Museum in Lucas showcases an impressive collection of meticulously crafted small-scale art pieces and dioramas. Each miniature display demonstrates extraordinary attention to detail and artistic craftsmanship in remarkably small dimensions. This unique museum adds to Lucas's reputation as a center for folk art and creative expression in central Kansas.
15. Mount Olivet Cemetery
JESSE JAMES BURIAL SITE
Mount Olivet Cemetery in Kearney is the final resting place of notorious outlaw Jesse James, drawing thousands of visitors annually. The gravesite features a marker noting James's death in 1882 after being shot by fellow gang member Robert Ford. Each September, the cemetery becomes a focal point during the Jesse James Festival that celebrates the infamous outlaw's connection to the area.