Running over the Jamaica North Trail is an abandoned train trestle which marks the site of the 9…read moreAug 1894 Rock Island train derailment. The crash and massive fire resulted in the deaths of eleven passengers and crew. Running across this historic site during a run up the trail was an unexpected surprise. The area, although close to suburbs is nonetheless filled with deer, sampling corn from adjacent fields and dashing across the trail back into the wilderness when disturbed. I recommend the Jamaica North Trail and a visit to the Rock Island Wreck Site if you're hiking, biking, or jogging.

Every little town needs a niche, a gimmick or oddity to give the travelers a reason to stop and…read moreHebron has found it's roadside attraction - The Worlds Largest Covered Swing. It's certainly not worth leaving the major east - west HI ways, but if you're traveling up US81 then take a few minutes to go the 10 blocks into town and get yourself a cheesy tourist photo. Nestled in a well maintained park with lots of shade and children's playground equipment to give everyone a break from the monotony of driving this bland landscape of central Nebraska.

The Largest Porch Swing in the world as it's called is what happens when a bunch of Nebraskans with…read moreextra irrigation pipe and welding equipment got a crazy idea and built a swing capable of seating 24 people all at once. It's a gimmick, it squeaks, yet you will likely turn off Highway 81 and go check it out. Rumor has it this swing has been eclipsed by an even larger swing in Canada, but unless you want to cross the border to find it, this one is located 90 min South of I-80. If you're out storm chasing and need to kill some time waiting for storms to fire this is worth a side trip just for the novelty of saying you've been there, done that.

The Pelican Fountain is a unique and serene spot tucked away like a little secret waiting to be…read morediscovered. It may not shoot water into the sky or sing songs at the top of every hour--but it has a quiet beauty that grows on you. The stonework has a timeless quality, and the surrounding greenery makes it a perfect place to sit, reflect, or snap a few photos. It's simple, yes, but that's part of its charm.

First time at the Haymarket for us..it was a great time.We did not leave empty handed...I did get…read moreanother white gold permanent bracelet (my tradition is every Yelp elite year I add one) Lol s to see, great gift ideas, free Photo Booth, free picture with Santa..(he promised me lots too...he said he'd have his people call my people for delivery) Lots of good, furry baby items, fresh baked goods, fresh bread..the list goes on! Oh and FREE99 parking We enjoyed our time there and we were able to get business cards from our purchases so we can get a hold of them again!

This is really a nice area. I was there for an event where they had the street blocked off - my one…read morecomplaint when they do that is that the entrance is not convenient for those who have had to walk for parking. However, it's a great space and works perfect - lots of places to eat and shop.

If you're in the area, this museum is well-worth a visit. Very extensive history of the Salina…read morearea. I learned a lot.

Great museum right off the main downtown strip. It's free (request donations) which is always a…read moreplus. Lots of historical information with a replica of a cabin from the settlement days. I enjoyed the industrial section related to flour mills. There are old stone grinding wheels and sacks from the different manufacturers. The gift shop is full of made in Kansas items, soap, honey, candles, marbles (news to me that marbles are made in Kansas) BBQ sauce and lots of books about Kansas. If you find yourself in Salina, Kansas definitely check out this museum.

Great place for my family and I to make a visit and highly educational! Worth a visit to learn…read moreabout American pioneers and homesteaders as they settled farther west.

When I visited this site, there were about 100 elementary school students having a field trip at…read morethe same time. Talk about chaos! Despite this, the rangers were all very cheerful and able to answer our questions. Daniel Freeman was one of the first people to file a claim under the Homestead Act of 1862, and the NPS site is built on his claim site. The visitor's center is expansive, with two floors. The bottom floor has the lion's share of the exhibits, and even has a window into the preservation arm of the museum where relics are stored. There is also a gift shop on the ground floor. The outside has a prairie with trails, and a small example cabin. The NPS did a good job cramming as much as they could into this site, as even the barb wire surrounding the prairie has different variations to showcase the wire used back then. Don't miss the Homestead Education Center, which is a short drive away from the visitor's center. There's a whole room with old farm equipment, and a small path that goes on a small suspension bridge. Across the Education Center is the the Freeman School, which was closed unless we wanted to call a ranger to open it up. I could peek through the windows though!

For those with an interest in surveying, the Great Plains, or United States History for that…read morematter, a visit to the 6th Principal Meridian is worth while. It is beyond the scope of this review to retell the story of this monument and it's importance. But for those who know it's a place you want to visit. The original marker is still there under a steel manhole cover. Remember it is a crime to deface the monument so while you may peek under the cover plate, please leave the historical stone and brass marker inside as it is. The monument is about 3/4 of a mile North of County Road B, and is accessed via Meridian Road. Meridian Road is gravel and can be difficult to drive on if it's recently rained.

Another marker on US75 between Nebraska City and Topeka, this one is just off the highway and not…read morein very good condition and in need of a repainting. Still, it's legible and remembers a time just before the Civil War when slavery was still a thing and Kansas was an important part of the Underground Railroad. The marker reads, "One witness to this event later wrote that it was "no joke" to attack old John Brown. The abolitionist inspired such terror that in January 1859, about 1.5 miles north of here, a U.S. marshal fled at the mere sight of him. Brown, escorting 11 slaves to freedom along the Underground Railroad, was discovered in a cabin on Straight Creek. Marshal John Wood hid in a nearby stream crossing with about 35 deputies, while Freestaters marched overnight from Topeka to support Brown. Even with reinforcements Brown's party was outnumbered two to one, but he defiantly ordered his men to ford the creek. "Scarcely had the foremost entered the water," one man recalled, "when the valiant marshal mounted his horse and rode off in haste." Another remembered: "The closer we got to the ford, the farther they got from it." Mocking the posse's retreat, a newspaperman dubbed this the "Battle of the Spurs." Brown and his party reached Iowa unharmed." This is the only Kansas historical marker in Jackson County. [Review 11401 overall, 1178 of 2019.]

The house was closed when we were passing through town but it was still pretty rad to see this…read morepiece of history. Really humbling to stand on the property and think about all the lives that were saved because of it.

This was one of the many runaway railroads and historical landmarks in Topeka, Kansas. It's really…read moresmall but definitely well maintained over the decades, a really nice place to visit not too far from the Brown vs The board of education museum a few blocks down the street.

This camp was only opened 10 years ago and it was very interesting. Who knew we had over 4,000 Nazi…read moreprisoners of war in north central Kansas. It was very well worth the visit in my opinioin.

As you travel through farmland, hidden among the crops there are remnants of a once very large POW…read morecamp. ...Very interesting part of our history hidden in the fields of Kansas. History is everywhere! From 1943 to 1945 during the second world war over 4,000 Germans were held in an internment camp here in Kansas where I am visiting. The stories of these men are pretty fascinating - so many of them were talented musicians, cooks, artists, etc. Many renounced Hitler (as they were forced into military service for a cause they didn't support). Those who supported Hitler were taken to a different location in Oklahoma. I enjoyed just speaking with the women leading the tour. We tried to analyze photos that have no captions. The time, energy, and dedication to preserve and communicate history is admirable. IHistory