Discover Hoisington: Art, History, and Nature

Hoisington showcases very different sides within a compact thematic area: a walking trail in Bicentennial Park, a seasonal swimming pool, historic buildings, art throughout the townscape, and the Wetlands and Wildlife National Scenic Byway, which begins in Hoisington at the intersection of US-281 and K-4 and crosses the Central Flyway. Those who want to combine a trip with children, cultural interests, and nature observation will find several starting points here for planning their own day.

Walking Trail and Bird Migration

Bicentennial Park has a one-mile walking trail. The clearly stated distance can be taken into account when planning a more relaxed day, especially if you want to include some exercise in your stay without making an extensive outdoor program the focus.

The Wetlands and Wildlife National Scenic Byway also offers opportunities to experience nature. It begins in Hoisington at the intersection of US-281 and K-4 and crosses the Central Flyway, an important migration route that attracts birds during migration. Those interested in landscapes and birds may wish to give this aspect particular consideration when choosing Hoisington as a destination.

Seasonal Swimming Pool

The City of Hoisington’s swimming pool is open seasonally starting on Memorial Day weekend. Nonresidents can obtain season passes for regular pool hours. This makes the swimming pool one of the facts that may play a role in planning a trip during the warmer season.

For families, the pool’s seasonal schedule may play a role in choosing when to travel: you can weigh whether water activities or history, art, and nature should be the focus.

Art and History in the Townscape

The Hoisington United States Post Office is a one-story red-brick building with a gabled roof dating from around 1936, located at 121 E. 2nd Street. The Hoisington Post Office contains the mural “Wheat Center,” an oil painting on canvas depicting a threshing scene. The US Post Office--Hoisington is also included in the multiple-property listing “Kansas Post Offices with Artwork, 1936--1942.”

Those who want to learn more about the history of the town and region can include the Hoisington Community Historical Museum in their travel plans. For a walk featuring public art, there are 62 handcrafted metal pole art installations along Main Street.

Architectural history is also evident in several locations. Hoisington High School and the Stadium are WPA projects from 1937 and 1940, respectively. The Municipal Building Sundials are located on an Art Deco-style building constructed in 1939 as a WPA project. Also noteworthy is the Cemetery Folk Art at Hoisington Cemetery, with several folk-art gravestones by local artist Phil Webb. The Manweiler Chevrolet dealership is a 1944 building in the Streamline Art Moderne style, featuring a colorful Chevrolet neon sign.

The Right Accommodation for Your Travel Plans

A vacation apartment or vacation home in Hoisington can be considered a personal base for your travel plans if you want to combine different interests.

Discover more places: Great Bend, Olmitz, Ellinwood.

Back to the higher-level travel overview: Barton County.