Enter the wonderful world of Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz with a visit to her home.  It’s right here in Liberal, Kansas. This delightful story written by L. Frank Baum was made into a movie in 1939 starting Judy Garland as Dorothy.

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Southeast Kansas can brag about having the largest electric shovel in the United States.  Big Brutus was used in the mining industry and brings attention to the history of mining and the industry itself.  The Bucyrus Erie Model 1850B was sold to the Pittsburg and Midway Coal Company (P&M) of Pittsburg, Kan., for $6.5 million in 1962. It took 150 railroad cars to transport Big Brutus to Southeast Kansas where it took 52 men 11 months to assemble Big Brutus 11 miles from his current location.

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Southeast Kansas can brag about having the largest electric shovel in the United States.  Big Brutus was used in the mining industry and brings attention to the history of mining and the industry itself.  The Bucyrus Erie Model 1850B was sold to the Pittsburg and Midway Coal Company (P&M) of Pittsburg, Kan., for $6.5 million in 1962. It took 150 railroad cars to transport Big Brutus to Southeast Kansas where it took 52 men 11 months to assemble Big Brutus 11 miles from his current location.

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Just when you thought that the dream of the Land of Oz was out of your reach there appears before you the Land of Oz in Liberal!  This facility consists of 5,000 square feet of animated entertainment.  There are good and bad witches, the Munchkins, talking trees, winged monkeys, and of course, Dorothy, the Scarecrow and Tin Man as well as the loveable Cowardly Lion.  Oh, of course, Toto is there too!

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Situated on the eastern edge of Kansas is a place of history that impacted the flow of the pioneers from the east to the west in the mid 1800’s.  Fort Scott was established in 1842 as the move to settle the west was getting underway.

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What a fabulous place to take a break from the stresses that accompany everyday life!  Here you can sit on a bench near the Erickson Water Garden and enjoy the sound of the water falling over the stone creations.  The area is filled with butterfly plants, wildflowers and ornamental grasses which all add to the peacefulness of the garden.

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Have you ever wanted to visit a community that is supposed to have a ghostly presence?  If you have you may want to visit this town not far from Topeka where there are supposedly a number of different sightings that have happened.

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For almost thirty years, the Combat Air Museum in Topeka, Kansas has been educating and entertaining the public. It is located at Forbes Field, just south of Topeka. The museum makes a nice destination for any tourists staying in the Topeka area.

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The museum is just off I-70 in Kansas and offers a wide array of the private collection of the Kuska collection.  The Kuska’s were collectors of interesting items from around the world for over 50 years.  Upon the death of the couple the family decided to move their collection to Colby.

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Cedar

This state park in Ogallah is known for it’s 6,000 reservoir, 1000 Cedar Bluffs State Park and a 9,000 acre wildlife reserve.  Even though the park is just 12 miles off the beaten path of I 70 at exit 135 it receives few visitors which means that it is still in more of it’s natural state making it a great place for those that appreciate the unspoiled beauty.

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Fort

The history of Fort Hays began with it being built in 1865 to protect the stage and freight wagons of the Butterfield Overland Dispatch (BOD) traveling along the Smoky Hill Trail to Denver. Despite the presence of the soldiers, Southern Cheyenne and Southern Arapaho Indians continued to confront traffic along the trail.

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Boot

Dodge City, founded in 1872, was the world’s largest shipping point for Longhorn cattle.  With the cowboys coming into town after being on the roundup and trail for so long they often had lots of pent up energy and other things that they wanted to release.

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Built in 1859 of sod and adobe Fort Dodge was the last US Army fort located before the Civil War and in 1865 was the first fort opened after the Civil War.  Fort Dodge was to guard travelers on the Santa Fe Trail to keep them safe from the Indians.

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One of the largest zoos in Kansas with over 300 animals of 100 species you will have the opportunity to see some outstanding animals up close.  Although the layout of the zoo leaves something to be desired it’s worth the effort to go.

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When you look at the United States (the 48 contiguous states) and go to the center you end up at Lebanon, Kansas!  Actually, the true site is approximately 2 miles northwest of Lebanon.

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Mount

Just take a trip through this cemetery and you will have the opportunity to delve into the history of a wide range of those that have impacted history and those that are the forgotten masses.  But along with that you will learn about the hardships of life in the 1800’s and the political stories that formed the structure of Kansas.

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Come to Iola for these celebrations and you will certainly not be disappointed.  The Farm - City Days is held on the square the third weekend of October.

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This celebration is held the first Saturday in October on an annual basis.  The celebration is focused on the Bible with a parade, live Christian music.  The celebration begins at 10 AM.  The parade has floats depicting Bible stories.  This celebration is the only one like it in the country so if you want to enjoy a day of Christian based entertainment be sure to visit the community.

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The museum is free and across from the street from the Eisenhower complex.

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Enjoy a trip through time by looking at the clothing that people have worn over the past 100 years.  The clothing that men and women have worn has been directly influenced by the social and cultural changes of each era. Since early settlement in Kansas in the 1850s, fashion has undergone numerous and radical changes - each one reflecting our changing social structure and changes in the world in which we live.

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Chisholm Trail Historical Marker - Abilene, Kansas

The rides were sometimes in the winter where the battle against cold, snow and rain was a constant companion.  Trying to find someplace dry to sleep was almost impossible for the cowboy.  They would often move the fire over after it had burned for awhile because the ground under would be warm and dry, at least for a little while.

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Affiliated with Bethel College this museum focuses on the Mennonite life and times of the 1800’s.

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After being silent for 40 years this wonderful facility was restored and opened as the Columbian Theater, Museum and Art Center dedicated to entertainment of all ages.

With some art works from the Chicago World’s Fair on display this has a unique quality that should interest any art lover.

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The basic function of the Library building is to provide a place for scholars to come to work in the rich historical materials housed there and to give information to the general public about the Presidency of this great man.

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Although this is a biological research station with limited facilities for visitors there are still trails that can be enjoyed and accommodations available.

Nature trails — 14 miles of hiking trails are open daily from dawn until dusk, weather and trail conditions permitting.

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The museum opened in October 1996. This 25,000 sq. ft. facility is home to KSU’s permanent art collection. Since its establishment in 1928, this collection has grown to include approximately 1,500 works of art focusing on 20th century American art and Midwest artists.

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This small zoo even allows you to enter some of the enclosures with the animals, of course, not the dangerous ones.

The animals appear to be well taken care of which makes it an enjoyable zoo to visit. It is the most popular zoo in Kansas.

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Old Stone Barn - Council Grove, Kansas

The imposing, 76-foot-long native stone barn was built into the bank of a hill in 1871 on land owned by the town’s founder, Seth Hays. It’s the only structure remaining from the Morris County Poor Farm, which existed here from 1889-1945. Gatherings at the Old Stone Barn in June are re-enactments of the Santa Fe Trail rendezvouses.

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Come and enjoy the Kansas Auto Racing Museum also features restored race cars from seven different eras, video Play Stations, rare film footage, photographs and its own private viewing theatre for race film highlights throughout the Midwest.

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A

There are many steam engine trains that run across the United States for the enjoyment of tourists and history buffs.  This train consists of a vintage diesel-electric locomotive, a century-old wooden sided passenger/diner, open air observation cars and a caboose, the excursion train travels through the Smoky Hill River Valley between historic Abilene and Enterprise, a ten mile round trip.

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Dickinson County Heritage Center - Abilene, Kansas

Visit the two in-door museums depicting life on the Plains during the American pioneer movement and westward expansion periods.  The exhibits include Indians, pioneers, railroad, agriculture, Victorian and cow-town eras.  See how life was for those brave settlers that crossed the land to make their homes in uncharted land in the 1800’s.

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The Celebration of Freedom Memorial is dedicated to the men and women of the Butler County, Kansas community who have served to further the freedom of our great nation. Located on the front lawn of the historic Butler County Courthouse 205 W Central, El Dorado, Kansas, the memorial is made up of a center half circle walkway and a walkway on the East and West sides.

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This is the oldest rodeo grounds in use in Kansas.  It began in 1937 as a way to show off the talents of the local cowboys. 

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Are you interested in taking a true wagon train experience?  If you are here is an opportunity for you.  The journey will consisit of the following: 

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Enjoy a day riding your bike on the El Dorado trail where you will start at East Park and continuing to North Main Park, looping around Prairie Trails Golf and Country Club and stretching to El Dorado Lake and State Park, the bike trail provides safe and enjoyable recreation for biking or walking. Parking is available at both ends of the trail.

Location: 201 E. Central, El Dorado, KS 67042

This piece of history was built in 1887 of native limestone.  The two-span bridge with a main span of 57.1 feet and a length of 126.9 feet is now open only to pedestrians. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on Dec. 12, 1976.

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This museum features local historical artifacts, displays of the crash of the airplane carrying Knute Rockne. It also features memorabilia of the E. C. Roberts family of Strong City, founders of the famous Flint Hills Rodeo.

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This courthouse is the oldest courthouse in operation in Kansas.  Built 1872-1873, this French Renaissance building constructed of native limestone  this beautiful building is someting that you will want to visit while in Kansas.

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The Chaplin Nature Center is located on the inner edge of a bend in the Arkansas River  There are more than five miles of walking trails provide easy access to bottomland timber & prairies, upland prairies, a spring-fed creek, and the Arkansas River.

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This 24 horse carousel and 4 chariots of this 104 year old piece of history is available for rides to bring back the wonderful memories of the dreams of riding the carousel.

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Come and enjoy themed gardens such as the Shakespeare Garden, Rose and Wildflower Garden, and the new Sensory Garden. Visit Botanica’s Butterfly House and stroll among hundreds of free-flight butterflies. Come to Botanica throughout the summer and fall to learn more about these intriguing and beautiful creatures.

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If you want to have an experience that will have you truly mezmorized by the beauty of the area you will want to take this excursion train on the 10 mile roundtrip ride from Abilene to Enterprise. 

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One of the favorite campsites of those traveling the Oregon Trail.  Today the area is a park for hiking and enjoying the beautiful wildflowers, animals of the prairie and rolling hills.

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Wolf Creek Park - Vassar, Kansas

If you are looking for that get a way that will offer you camping, fishing, boating and hiking then Wolf Creek Park is the place for you to visit in Kansas.  With over 4000 acres of land for you to explore, good fishing and water sports you will enjoy your time here.

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Preserving the history of McPherson County this museum offers a look at what it took to develop the area. The museum collects, preserves, researches, exhibits and interprets materials related to this heritage with special emphasis on the period from 1870 to 1910.

The Smoky Valley Roller Mill was built in 1898. 

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If you’re looking for wide open prairie, unchanged by the years of progress, the Flint Hills area of Kansas is a place you’ll want to check out. Its beauty is unmatched, and some have even called this region magical. In 1906, an explorer, Zebulon Pike, named the area for the flint rock that could be seen through the tall grasses on the prairie. The hills stretch from near the Nebraska border down into Oklahoma.

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