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Experiences|Sights & Landmarks

Most People Don’t Know These 10 Castles Are Hiding In Kansas

Discover 10 unique castles in Kansas that evoke a sense of royalty and history.

Updated Jun 30, 2023

Written by 

Annie

Do you ever feel as though you're suited for a more royal lifestyle? Are you ready to live like the king or queen that you know you truly are? If you answered "yes" to either of these questions, you've come to the right place. Is there anything more royal than living in a castle? No, of course not! Fortunately, you do not have to move to England, Ireland, or even Disneyland to live in, or even see a castle up close and in person. Listed below are 10 castles in Kansas that will certainly remind you of royalty the moment you see them.

1. Sauer Castle - Kansas City

An abandoned brick mansion with a tall tower, surrounded by overgrown grass and trees under a clear sky.
Wikipedia
This Italianate-style castle is on both the Kansas and National Register of Historic Places. It is also unoccupied and allegedly haunted by its original owners, so you may want to think twice before visiting it.

2. Caenen Castle - Shawnee

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A unique stone castle-style house with a turret, surrounded by greenery and trees on a clear day.
Flickr/Chris Murphy

Unlike Sauer, Kansas' Caenen Castle is open to the public. It houses a popular restaurant and a farm winery outlet.

3. Campbell Castle - Wichita

A large, historic stone mansion with towers and a turret, surrounded by green lawns and blue skies.
Flickr/Scenic Loop
I have some good news and some bad news. The bad news is that this castle used to be a beautiful bed and breakfast, but has since closed. The good news is that it is ready for its next owner.

4. Castle Tea Room - Lawrence

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A large, historic stone mansion with a turret, surrounded by trees and a landscaped yard on a clear day.
flickr/brent flanders

Prince Charming and Cinderella's wedding would have nothing on yours if you exchanged nuptials in this historic castle. It's currently used as the headquarters for United Way.

5. Coronado Heights Castle - Lindsborg

A weathered stone tower stands against a clear blue sky, surrounded by dry grass and rocky terrain.
Flickr/Darah
This castle, which is located just north of Lindsborg, is said to be near where Francisco Vásquez de Coronado gave up on his search for the seven cities of gold.

6. Cray Castle - Atchison

A grand, historic mansion with a turret, surrounded by trees and adorned with American flags.
tripadvisor/KansasTravelingdad

Cray Castle, which was built in 1882, is a 25-room mansion that perfectly reflects the Victorian era. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is currently operated as the Evah C. Cray Historical Home Museum.

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7. Russell County Fossil Station - Russell

A stone castle-like building with turrets, featuring large windows and a welcoming entrance, surrounded by grass and parked cars.
Wikimedia Commons/A. M. Hixson

What was originally built as a county jail and sheriff's office is now a thriving museum that's located in the heart of Russell, Kansas.

8. Matrot Castle - Topeka

A historic brick house with two conical towers, surrounded by trees and shrubs, on a cloudy day.
Dupontcastle.com

Here's an interesting fact: During the prohibition period, the Matrot Castle housed an underground winery. Today, the castle still stands, but unfortunately the winery is temporarily closed.

9. Nichols Hall - Manhattan

A stone castle with towers and a central entrance, surrounded by green grass and trees.
Wikimedia Commons/Cole & Vanessa Hoosier

This beautiful Kansas castle, which sits on the campus of Kansas State University, was originally used as an athletic center. Today, it is home to the departments of Computing and Information Sciences and Communication Studies, Theatre, and Dance.

10. Eaves Castle - Sedgwick

Stone building with a turret, surrounded by greenery under a clear blue sky. Date in the corner: 08-26-2010.
Zillow

Sadly, I could not find very much information on Eaves Castle, but I do know that it sat deserted and vandalized for several years before recently being purchased.

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Have you ever seen or stepped inside any of these 10 castles in Kansas? If so, please share your experience(s) with us in the comments below.

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Experiences|Sights & Landmarks

The Oldest Town In Kansas That Everyone Should Visit At Least Once

Leavenworth, the oldest city in Kansas, offers rich history, charming shopping districts, and notable landmarks.

Updated Jul 6, 2024

Written by 

Catherine Armstrong

What is the oldest town in Kansas? Have you ever wondered? Well, we're here to answer that question for you! Founded in 1854, Leavenworth is the oldest city in Kansas, and it's rich in history and culture. From its historic Fort, built in 1827, to the iconic Centennial Bridge, Leavenworth is a pretty, interesting place with plenty to do and see.

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Welcome to Leavenworth, the oldest city in Kansas.

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Jimmy Emerson, DVM/flickr

About 35,000 people call this pretty town home. It's large enough to offer many amenities, but small enough to retain that hometown-feel.

The historic shopping district is quaint and charming.

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Melissa Bower/Wikimedia Commons

You'll find antique shops, restaurants, coffee shops, and retail stores here.

Leavenworth is located on the banks of the Missouri River.

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Paul Barker Hemings/flickr

Centennial Bridge spans the river and is a beautiful piece of architectural engineering.

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Melissa Bower/Wikimedia Commons

Small towns in Kansas aren't complete without a park, right? Here is Leavenworth's Esplanade Park.

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Melissa Bower/Wikikmedia

Esplanade Park was the first park founded in the city. It was laid out in 1854, and is the first city park in the entire state.

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C.W. Parker Carousel Museum is a must-visit when in town.

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Leavenworth C./Trip Advisor

The C.W. Parker Carousel Museum is one of the "8 Wonders of Kansas." Ride a restored 1913 carousel and see many other displays. It is located at 320 S Esplanade Street.

The Santa Fe Depot was built in 1887 in the Richardsonian Romanesque style. It's on the National Register of Historic Places and currently operates as a restaurant.

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Jimmy Emerson, DVM/flickr

Historic Fort Leavenworth was built in 1827 and is the oldest settlement in Kansas. It encompasses 5,600 acres and contains 1,000 buildings.

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Don Middleton, U.S. Army/Wikimedia Commons

The fort includes a National Historic Landmark District

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Ken Hanes/flickr

This statue of General Grant is one of many memorials and statues on the grounds of the fort.

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The KC Kid/flickr

The cemetery is a final resting place for thousands of soldiers.

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mrrr5/TripAdvisor

While you're visiting the fort, stop by Buffalo Soldier Memorial Park, a pretty little spot with a waterfall and memorial.

The infamous Leavenworth U.S. Penitentiary houses 1,870 prisoners.

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Jimmy Emerson, DVM/flickr

Notable prisoners over the years have included gangster "Red" Dillard Morrison of the Harlem Mafia, George Kelly (aka "Machine Gun Kelly"), and Michael Vick.

Leavenworth features many historic homes, including the A.J. Angel House...

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Makuakane/Wikimedia Commons

...Nathaniel Burt House...

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Makuakane/Wikimedia Commons

... Merritt Insley House...

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Makuakane/Wikimedia Commons

...and Fred Harvey House.

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Makuakane/Wikimedia Commons

What is your favorite thing about this charming, historic town? Let us know! And if you need a place to stay overnight, check out the Newly Remodeled Classic Old Leavenworth Home and make a reservation!

Ready to visit another historic Kansas town? Check out the town of Yoder!

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Experiences|Sights & Landmarks

Perched Above Manhattan, This Overlook Is One Of The Best Views in All Of Kansas

Published Jun 24, 2024

Written by 

Lisa Sammons

When you mention Kansas to out-of-state residents, a few stereotypes typically immediately come to mind. The first is often The Wizard of Oz, but another of the most popular is most definitely "Kansas is as flat as a pancake." Anyone who's spent much time here knows that's demonstrably false. Sure, we are certainly flatter than states like Colorado or New York that are filled with famous mountain ranges, but there's actually quite a bit of topography changes within the Sunflower State landscape. Head out in the western half of the state and you'll even find destinations like Arikaree Breaks, a miniature canyon that's extremely impressive. Suffice to say, there are plenty of beautiful overlooks in Kansas where you can stand tall above the world below and look down on the state in all its glory. One of our favorites is the magnificent Bluemont Scenic Overlook in Manhattan, KS. Check it out:

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The views from up here are incredible. You'll get a stupendous view of all of Manhattan.

A scenic view of a green landscape with buildings and water towers in the distance under a clear blue sky.
Caleb May/Google Reviews

Pack a picnic lunch and head up to this scenic overlook in Manhattan, KS. It's a beautiful spot for any time of year.

Aerial view of a cityscape with industrial buildings, green spaces, and water treatment facilities under a clear blue sky.
吴锐恒（Ruiheng Edbalt Wu)/Google Reviews

The Bluemont Scenic Overlook is part of Goodnow Park, a 20-acre park that's a lot of fun to explore. The overlook is just off Ehlers Road on Bluemont Scenic Drive, and has a few picnic tables, plus parking right by the overlook.

Two informational signs at Bluemont Hill Overlook, detailing its history and donor recognition, surrounded by greenery.
Adam Inman/Google Reviews

Kansas may get a bad rap for being flat, but the good side of our relatively even terrain is that you can see for miles and miles when you are at an elevated spot like this.

A vibrant sunset over a small town, with colorful clouds and a clear sky, viewed from a hillside.
Xzercist/Google Reviews

This is an area for all seasons - as you can imagine, the changing colors of fall make for an even more glorious scene!

A panoramic view of a colorful autumn landscape with a town nestled among trees and rolling hills under a cloudy sky.
Yujun Chen/Google Reviews

One of the most famous landmarks at the spot is the MANHATTAN sign. It was put up in 1927 by the Manhattan Kiwanis Club. The letters are made of concrete and measure about 30 feet tall.

A hillside covered in greenery with large white letters spelling "AM" against a blue sky.
J C/Google Reviews

For a bigger city, the Manhattan area has plenty of wonderful trails. Check out some of the best trails near Manhattan, KS at AllTrails if you're seeking out even more outdoor adventures.

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