Sumner County: Water, Museums and History

Sumner County combines experiences on the water with collections, historic buildings, and stories about the cattle industry and railroads. These varied themes give your trip a distinct focus: Would you like to spend time at the lake, discover museum exhibits, or learn about the history of the towns?

Wellington City Lake and Bartlett Arboretum

Wellington City Lake covers about 674 acres of water and has 10 miles of shoreline. Fishing, boating, and camping are available there; permits are required for camping or recreational use. An ADA-accessible fishing dock is located on the west side. The lakeshore and dock give your visit a clear connection to the water, while the activities mentioned offer different ways to spend time at the lake.

Bartlett Arboretum offers a very different natural setting. Its history dates back to 1910, when Dr. Walter E. Bartlett purchased 15 acres of land on the outskirts of Belle Plaine. The arboretum includes various non-native tree species that could not be found anywhere else in Kansas. It also hosts a weekly farmers market. If the market is important to your travel plans, check the date in advance.

Museums and Collections in Wellington

The Chisholm Trail Museum is housed in the historic Hatcher Hospital building and displays thousands of exhibits. The National Depression Glass Museum focuses on the history and production of the American glass industry, particularly glass from the Great Depression era. Examples of equipment used by glass industry workers are also on display. The Panhandle Railroad Museum complements these themes with furnishings from the Santa Fe system, railroad workers’ uniforms, and railroad safety equipment.

The varied collections range from glass and work equipment to railroad objects. Visitors who enjoy exploring history through tangible objects can discover different aspects of industry and work. This offers a different focus for your stay than the activities at Wellington City Lake.

Chisholm Trail and Local History

The Chisholm Trail was an important cattle-driving route that passed through Sumner County. In downtown Caldwell, the Talking Tombstones bring to life the stories of local residents and other figures of the Wild West. Another depiction of the trail is the Ghost Riders of the Chisholm Trail: silhouettes stand on a rise beside the actual trail, at a scenic roadside turnout.

In Caldwell, the renovated Opera House is used for cultural and entertainment events; historic artifacts from the 1880s are also on display there. There are 22 historic markers along the streets of downtown. The markers, artifacts, and stories told by the Talking Tombstones make Caldwell a destination in its own right for visitors interested in local history. Check event dates if you would like to include a performance in your trip.

Other historical points of interest can be found in towns throughout the county. In 1886, Geuda Springs in Sumner County was developed into a health resort with mineral water, a hotel, and a lake of its own. In Conway Springs in Sumner County, a spring pavilion in a park in the town center now marks the spring; local park conditions may change. The Old Oxford Mill was built as a flour mill in the 1870s. In Argonia, the Salter House Museum is open to the public by appointment. The Susanna Salter House was completed in 1885.

Choose the Right Focus

When searching for a vacation rental, the kind of trip you want can be a good starting point: Wellington City Lake offers water and recreational activities, while museums, historic buildings, and Chisholm Trail stories provide a cultural and historical focus. Consider which of these themes you would like to shape your days, then focus your search on the places you plan to visit. For activities with specific dates, such as the farmers market or events, or a visit to the Salter House Museum, it is worth checking the relevant dates and any appointment requirements.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Mulvane, Shawnee County, Morris County, Leavenworth County, Pottawatomie County, Grant, Saline County and Crawford.

For the main travel overview: Kansas.