Points of Interest
34 ARGONNE FOREST
FORT ZARAH
GREAT BEND COMMUNITY THEATRE
2100 McKinley, Great Bend 620-793-4160 • North side of Veterans Memorial Park • Dedicted to the young men from Barton County and the surrounding area who fought in World War I with emphasis on the Battle of Argonne in Germany on Sept. 26, 1918. • Displays, artwork, photos and signage.
East of Great Bend on Hwy. 56 • Roadside park located near one of the two original locations of the fort. • Fort was established in 1864 to help protect mail service along the Santa Fe Trail.
1905 Lakin Ave., Great Bend 620-792-4228 • Renovated former movie theater. • Live performances. • Available for rent.
ELLINWOOD UNDERGROUND TOUR
SHAFER ART GALLERY
1 N. Main St. Ellinwood, KS 67526 Northwest corner of Main & Santa Fe, U.S. 56 at the stoplight. To make tour reservations call 620-617-6915 or 620-564-2400 or historicwolfhotel.com Admission $12/adult - $6/kid 12 & under • Built in 1887 and listed on the Kansas State Historical Register. • Tunnels originally connected the business district. • Original flooring, wallpaper, and barber’s mirror. • Tunnels under the Dick Building and the Historic Wolf Hotel. • Tours are conducted only by advance reservation. • Prohibition era Speakeasy open on Friday and Saturday nights. • Period style lunch the 3rd Sunday of every month. • Hotel open year around by reservation
Barton Community College 245 NE 30th Road, Great Bend 620-792-9342 shafergallery.org • Attached to the Fine Arts Building on BCC campus. • Featuring trending regional and national artists. • Workshops and family activities. • Free admission, open year round Winter Hours: Monday - Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Summer Hours: Monday - Thursday 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. • Tour groups welcome. • Gallery is closed for most college observed holidays.
GREAT BEND - BRIT SPAUGH ZOO AND RAPTOR CENTER 2123 Main St., Great Bend 620-793-4226 Open 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. daily. • Visitors pay no admission fee. The zoo features grizzly bears, multiple species of cats and a variety of smaller, exotic critters. Be sure to check out the newly renovated Grizzly Bear exhibit and check out the Bison in their brand new exhibit! • This free zoo is good for about a 45-90 minute visit. FARMER’S MEMORIAL K-96 Park at the corner of K-96 and 10th St., Great Bend • 20-foot stainless steel sculpture created by Bruce and Brent Bitter, B & B Metal Arts of Hoisington. A tribute to early pioneer families who settled Great Bend and the surrounding communities. BARTON COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY MUSEUM & VILLAGE 85 U.S. 281, Great Bend 620-793-5125 • Located on five acres, just south of Great Bend on US 281, across the Arkansas River Bridge, the Village boasts several authentically furnished period buildings including a one-room school house, a church, a pioneer cabin and a Lustron home. Collections tell the story of this area from the Paleo Period through the Indian Wars to World War II and beyond. • Admission $4 for non-members 16 & older. SUMMER HOURS (APRIL-OCTOBER) Tuesday through Friday 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Saturday & Sunday 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. WINTER HOURS (NOVEMBER-MARCH) Tuesday through Friday 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. B-29 BOMBER MEMORIAL PLAZA Great Bend Army Air Field Great Bend Municipal Airport entrance • Great Bend’s B-29 Memorial Plaza is open to visitors every day, to honor the men and women of the Great Bend Army Air Field. • No admission charge. • Self-guided.
CHEYENNE BOTTOMS 204 NE 60 Rd, Great Bend 620-793-3066 • The largest marsh in the interior of the United States, designated a “Wetland of International Importance”. • The Bottoms is one of the most important ecosystems in Kansas and one of the most important migration points for shorebirds in North America. • Hunting, primarily duck and goose, is a big draw for locals and those from other states. GOLDEN BELT VETERANS’ MEMORIAL 59 NW 50 Rd., Great Bend • Honoring Barton County Veterans from all six branches of the military from the Civil War until today. • Project paid for through donations, call 620-793-1800 for information. Details also found at www.bartoncounty.org and on the County’s social media pages. • Three stones are in place with the names of 1,139 veterans. • Names are being accepted for Stone IV. CLAFLIN MUSEUM 210 Main Street, Claflin 620-786-9307 or 620-793-0546 • Open all holidays and by appointment. • Housed on the second floor of the old Claflin Grade School with over 1800 items and old photographs. • Pertains mainly to the history of northern Barton County, including the towns of Claflin, Odin, Beaver, Hitschman, Dubuque and St. Peter & Paul Church. • Free Admission. • Self-guided tour, spend as much time as you like.
HOISINGTON HISTORY MUSEUM 120 E. 2nd, Hoisington 620-282-0913 or 785-483-9402 • Call for appointment. • Facebook - Hoisington History Museum • Open Sunday of Labor Day weekend 2021 for a special presentation from Patricia Watts, author of “South of the Tracks”.
JACK KILBY SQUARE Downtown Great Bend • The grounds that surround the Barton County Courthouse. • Massive bronze sculpture created by local artist Chet Cale entitled “The Gift”. • Splash pad. • Home to the Clayton M. Morrison Memorial Bandshell and Thelma Faye Harms Stage. • Holiday lights. HEARTLAND FARM www.heartlandfarm-ks.org 1049 CR 390, Pawnee Rock 620-923-4585 hfarm@gbta.net Facebook: HeartlandFarmKS • Non-profit ministry of the Dominican Sisters of Peace. • Registered agritourism operator. • Tours and visitors welcome by appointment. • Workshops and demonstrations yearround. • Open-air pavilion, gift shop, arts and fiber studio, walking trails, and labyrinth. • Organically-managed gardens. Find us at the Summer Street Stroll Farmers Market! • Great spaces for bird watching. • Guest housing available for individuals and for groups of up to 9. • Official hosting site for Harvest Host. • Day, short-term, and long-term volunteer opportunities. • Home to a herd of lovable alpacas.
