Historic Morris County

This area is history-rich with the city of Council Grove being built on former land occupied by the Kansa or Kaw Indians (for whom the state of Kansas is named) – and was the key rendezvous point for the opening and development of the historic Santa Fe Trail – the first major overland commercial route in America.

Hays House :: founded in 1857 by Council Grove town-founder Seth Hays, today is considered the oldest, continuously operated restaurant west of the Mississippi River.

Hays House

Kaw Mission :: Built in 1851 as a school for Kaw or Kanza Indian boys. Today it's owned and operated by the Kansas State Historical Society and offers hands-on history lessons of the 1800s.

Kaw Mission

River Walk

River Walk

Custer Elm

Custer Elm

Katy Depot

Katy Depot

Last Chance Store :: Last Chance Store - Built by Tom Hill in 1857, it was aptly named the Last Chance Store as it was the last opportunity for west-bound Santa Fe Trail travelers to acquire necessities to take them to Santa Fe, New Mexico, some 625 miles and 40 or more days away. Oldest commercial building in CG.

Last Chance Store

Terwilleger Home

Terwilleger Home

Cottage House Hotel :: This rambling, two-story brick hotel began in 1867 as a three-room cottage and blacksmith shop. Today, guests enjoy all-modern conveniences in this 40-room, year-round lodging facility in the heart of downtown Council Grove

Cottage House Hotel

Seth Hays House :: This rambling, two-story brick hotel began in 1867 as a three-room cottage and blacksmith shop. Today, guests enjoy all-modern conveniences in this 40-room, year-round lodging facility in the heart of downtown Council Grove

Cottage House Hotel

Allegawaho

Allegawaho

Madona of the Trail

Madona of the Trail

Farmers and Drovers Bank :: Built in 1892 (chartered 1882) this two-story building with stone trim is a well-preserved example of eclectic architecture with brick and stone masonry, Romanesque arches, a Byzantine dome and minarets. This facility operates in a current state-of-the-art environment.

Farmers & Drovers Bank

Covered Wagon

Covered Wagon

Text Size
Wednesday, February 22, 2012