Tours on a Tankful: Tour 2
Coronado, Bagpipes and Little Sweden

1) Exit Great Bend on US-56 east to Ellinwood, incorporated in 1878 with 21 businesses. Settled predominantly by German people who came from Illinois in response to enticing flyers, these hardworking people built two cities, one underground.

Thirty-five feet of tunnels have been restored revealing among other things a "Men Only" Barbershop and Bath. For a tour call: (620) 564-2218

Ellinwood hosts many annual events. The weekend of May 3rd is the Rock Swap attracting over 60 exhibitors to display, trade and sell gems.

June, 1st Sat. is arts and crafts at Fest in Dem Park.

July, 3rd week, the After Harvest Festival features various entertainment, parade, carnival, 5K and 10K runs, petting zoo, children's fishing derby, and a dance.

August, last Sat., Wheat Bowl Football Classic and related activities take over the town. Popular throughout the wheat belt, this event draws thousands of celebrities, fans of the two competing college teams, politicians and even those who do not like football to support this college scholarship.

2) Head east on US-56 toward Lyons. Eight miles east on 3/4 mile north, view Ralph's Ruts. These "swells" are evidence of heavily-loaded wagons moving side-by-side on the Santa Fe Trail.

Back on US-56, go 4 miles east and 2 miles north to stop for an "egg break" at Cal-Maine Foods which gathers 800,000 eggs daily. Stop weekdays 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Or call (620) 938-2300.

Again on US-56 east, note signs of historic places such as Buffalo Bill Mathewson's well and Cow Creek Crossing, one mile south of the cross monument honoring Father Padillo, who came in the 1500s with Spanish explorer Coronado.

When approaching Lyons on Weekends, scan the sky for brightly-colored parachutes of the OZ Parachute Sport Club. To jump, show up for a 4-hour class at 10 a.m. Sat. morning.

From December 15 - 30, the OZ Club gives Christmas Night Flights over Lyons for a nominal donation which supports the upkeep on the unique Red Christmas Bell Water Tower. Reserve flights after Dec. 1 at (620) 257-5002.

Just inside the city limits, look on the north side of US-56 for a Santa Fe Railroad train caboose. Ask at Central Reality for a tour.

Downtown Lyons features a Victorian-style courthouse bordered in part by antique stores. The eternal flame and monument honors all veterans. The 4 th Sat. of Sept. 120 craft and food booths are set up for "Fair on the Square".

Rice County is the center of the Quivira Indian culture, which was well established in the area long before Coronado arrived. Coronado-Quivira Museum, 105 W. Lyon, displays original Coronado artifacts, information abut the Indians who met the conquistadors, and much on pioneer settlement of the area.

A unique and popular museum exhibit is the 1912 Detrioter car, one of only four still running. Also, pick up brochures for more historic Santa Fe Trail sites.

Hours:
Mon.-Sat. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sunday - 1 - 5 p.m.
No Holidays (620) 257-3941

While on the museum grounds note the sculpture entitled Storybooks by George W. Lundeen.

Lyons Festival is June, 1st weekend, and Rice County Days are in July.

3) The "Scottish" city of McPherson founded in 1872, is straight east on US-56. residents are quick to point out that there is no "fear" in McPherson so please pronounce the "Pher" as "fur."

In the park on the north side of US-56, look for the statue of fearless General James "Birdseye" McPherson, a Scot who was the Union's highest ranking officer killed in the Civil War.

Bagpipes and drums of The City of McPherson Pipe Band are a special treat at area performances and parades. The band practices each Wednesday evening at Park School, 200 Elm and enjoys having visitors.

Many big events take place in McPherson such as All-Schools Day on the 2nd Friday of May. They also host the Annual International Scottish Clan Gathering in Sept.

An Historical Walking or Driving Tour introduces visitors to 16 homes , businesses and parks as well as the McPherson County Courthouse which was built in 1894 of native limestone and feature a 105-ft clock tower. A brochure is available at the Chamber of Commerce, 306 N. Main.

The McPherson Museum is in the three-story historic 1921 Vaniman House. Of particular interest are missionary artifacts of China and India and Bibles dating from 1546 and the paleontology finds of excavated skeletons of a Saber Tooth Tiger a Dire Wolf and a 9-ft. Grand Ground Sloth.

Hours:
Tues.- Sun. 1-5 p.m.
Closed Holidays (620) 245-2574

4) For a Gen. Dodge (see Great Bend Tour) buffalo experience drive 13 miles east on US-56 to Main Street in Canton. Stop at the visitor's center for a brochure and then drive seven miles north to Maxwell Wildlife Refuge (2,254 acres) and McPherson State Fishing Lake (46 acres). Call (620) 628-4455 to arrange a tram ride into the 200-head buffalo herd.

Prairie Days, when Mountain Men come to town and buffalo burgers are plentiful is Oct. 2nd weekend.

5) Return to McPherson and take I-135 north to the US-81 turnoff into Lindsborg -- Little Sweden USA. Watch for the Dala Horse welcome symbols which represent Swedish Folk-art. More art is downtown in the Red Barn Museum and Swedish shopping stores.

Enjoy the elegance of the formal Birger Sandzen Memorial Gallery, 401 N. 1st. Guest exhibits and guest chamber musicians make this a favorite of visitors.

Hours: Wed.-Sun. 1-5 p.m.
Closed Major Holidays (785) 227-2220

REO (from R.E. Olds) Antique Auto Museum, at the corner of Lincoln and Harrison, includes dozens of vehicles and an antique fire engine -- a classy collection. Daily 1-4 p.m.

Three Swedish Festivals, each of which feature native costumed dancers and music, highlight Lindsborg's calendar. Midsummer's Day, the 3rd Sat. in June, is the traditional welcome to the return of summer. Lucia Fest ushers in Christmas season according to Swedish tradition on the second Sat. of Dec. Svensk Hyllings-fest is the Swedish Pioneer Festival, a 3 day event that coincides with Bethany College's Homecoming in odd-numbered years. Call the college for dates: (785) 227-3311.

The settlement and pioneer heritage of Lindsborg has been retained in the 12 building complex that makes up the Old Mill Museum. The Smoky Valley Roller Mill, built in 1898, has been restored and is run (without grain) only at millfest for ages 13 and up to tour. The Pavilion was Sweden's presentation to the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair.

Hours: Mon.-Sat. 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
           Sunday 1-5 p.m.

Heritage Christmas, an 1890's pioneer celebration happens the 1st and 2nd Sat. evenings in Dec.

Begun in the 1800s, one of Lindsborg's biggest events is the Messiah Festival during Easter week. It's a continuous presentation of Baroque and Classical music.

For Lindsborg information call: (888) 227-2227

6) Just north of Lindsborg is Coronado Heights, long accepted as the most northern point reached by Coronado conquistadors because Spanish artifacts were found with Indian artifacts in the area.

Look for this land with castle-like sandstone formations perfect for a panoramic view of the Smoky Valley and for pretending cowboys, Indians, wagon trains and conquistadors. This is a 27-acre park with picnic facilities. Carry along some water for the climb up to the turrets.

7) Go back to I-135 north to Salina and exit at K-140 west for a drive through rolling, cattle-grazing hills to Brookville -- a small Victorian hamlet with several antique stores.

8) Traveling west from Brookville on K-140, the former Smoky Hills Trail, K-141 south to Kanopolis Reservoir. Besides the usual camping, lake and beach activities, Kanopolis has several miles of equestrian, mountain bike and foot trails. Brochures of Legacy trail give directions to caves and other points of interest via automobile. The visitors center is west at the north entrance - keep to the right. (785) 546-2565. Organized group tours can be arranged of the dam. (785) 546-2294.

9) Returning to K140, continue west watching for signs to Mushroom Rock State Park. These fascinating geological formations are a worthwhile stop, especially if the children are wiggly.

10) Back on K-140 west take K-111 to the town of Kanopolis, site of Fort Harker, an important Indian Wars post. There are two officers' quarters that remain in the town which are private dwellings, but the old fort's two-story guardhouse is a museum.

Hours:
Tues. - Sat. 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Sunday 1-5 p.m. (785) 472-5733

11) Travel west to Ellsworth (Tour 1) and take K-156 west, back toward Great Bend, passing by the Camp Aldrich road on the west side of the highway. This 290-acres of sandhills and woods is available for camps, seminars, reunions, etc. There are several buildings, horses, a swimming pool and winterized lodges. (620) 792-9317.

Note Cheyenne Bottoms (Tour 1) on the west. Three miles south of the east entrance, take the marked county road off K-156, to Barton County Community College. Stop at Shafer Gallery (near the water tower) to view national and regional exhibits.

Hours:
Mon-Fri. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sunday 1-4 p.m. Closed when BCCC is, (620) 793-9242.

Continue west on the country road to US-281, then south into Great Bend.

Tours on a Tankful Main Menu