Cloud County: History, Art and Culture

Cloud County brings together distinctive historic sites, art, live performances and landscapes. The Republican River flows through the county, while Jamestown Lake and Wildlife Preserve lies in its northwestern part. There are also museums, a historic theater and a mural depicting the county’s history. You can plan your trip around your particular interests in historical stories, architecture, performing arts or the landscape.

Landscape and Orientation

The river is a geographic landmark that runs through Cloud County. Jamestown Lake and Wildlife Preserve, by contrast, is specifically located in the county’s northwestern part. These distinct geographic references help put Cloud County in context as a travel destination without reducing its landscape and culture to a single place. In Concordia, US-81 Highway and KS-9 Highway intersect.

Museums and Stories of the Past

The Cloud County Historical Society Museum is housed in a former Andrew Carnegie library. Its former use gives the building a historical connection, while the collection brings together a range of topics from history and nature. Exhibits include a 1928 Lincoln-Page biplane, a life-size windmill with a working water pump, an iron lung and military artifacts. Wildlife and geology are also represented. Individual displays may change.

The National Orphan Train Complex tells the story of the Orphan Train Movement through collections, exhibits, programs and research. Between 1854 and 1929, an estimated 250,000 orphaned, abandoned or homeless children were relocated to rural communities as part of this movement. Its time span and scale offer a distinct perspective on the country’s history, different from a focus on the buildings and collections of the local historical society. The museum complements its exhibits with Brown Bag Lunch programs about people and places in Cloud County.

Architecture, Mural and Stage

The five-story Nazareth Convent and Academy offers another historical point of interest: its cornerstone was laid in 1902. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. The convent’s public events include an annual spaghetti dinner, an annual family day and an annual plant sale; dates may change.

The Whole Wall Mural depicts the history of Cloud County. At 140 feet long and made of 6,400 bricks, it is a large-scale work; the bricks were donated by Cloud Ceramics and come from the region. The mural thus combines a historical depiction with a specific detail about its creation. The fully restored Brown Grand Theatre offers a different focus: it is a performing arts venue featuring artists ranging from musicians to illusionists. The artists who appear depend on the program.

Events and Finding a Vacation Rental

The Cloud County Fair also showcases another side of local life. There, 4-H members and community members display their skills in sewing, cooking, crafts, painting and photography. Funnel cake is among the fair foods. Together with the museum programs and events at Nazareth Convent, these offer a variety of formats, from historical topics and community demonstrations to stage performances and fair traditions. Exhibits and seasonal offerings may vary from year to year; check the relevant dates when making specific plans.

When looking for a vacation rental in Cloud County, you can first decide what you want to focus on: museum collections and history, architecture and public art, or events and performances. The Cloud County Tourism & Travel Information Center offers informational brochures about destinations in Kansas and can help you plan a visit to Cloud County.

Discover more destinations: Anderson, Labette, Miami, Lyon, Smith County, Sherman County, Harvey County.

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