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Dorrance Bankery
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PRAIRIE TRAIL TOUR

Embark on an unforgettable half-day self-drive caravan journey through the heart of central Kansas with the Prairie Trail Tour. This scenic adventure takes you along picturesque backroads, weaving through charming rural farm communities and uncovering hidden gems that showcase the region’s rich history, culture, and ingenuity.

Guided by local experts, you’ll explore fascinating historical, educational, and recreational landmarks that bring the prairie’s story to life. Discover how pioneers harnessed native limestone to survive and thrive, learn about the destructive power of prairie fires, and marvel at unique inventions that revolutionized farming and sports safety worldwide.

Highlights of the tour include a visit to Kansas’s premier arts and crafts town, home to its very own “Garden of Eden.” You’ll also get a glimpse of a rare 4,000-glass slide photo collection captured by Leslie Halbe, a 15-year-old photographer, between 1908 and 1912. This extraordinary collection, which documents every facet of life in the area, has been featured in the Smithsonian Institute and Life and Time magazines.

Along the way, the caravan will make stops to see some of the region’s most unusual and entertaining attractions, including:

  • The Worlds Largest Avery tractor and Wooden Wheat Threshing machine
  • The Worlds Largest Czech Egg
  • The Worlds Largest Toilet Bowl
  • The Worlds Largest Things Store

These larger-than-life landmarks add a quirky and memorable twist to your journey, making the Prairie Trail Tour a perfect blend of education, history, and fun.

Whether you’re a history buff, a lover of the outdoors, or simply looking for a unique way to experience rural Kansas, the Prairie Trail Tour promises a captivating adventure you won’t soon forget.

Tour Itinerary and Highlights

The Prairie Trail Tour begins at 11:30 am at the iconic Historic 1905 Dorrance State Bank, affectionately known as the Dorrance Bankery, in Dorrance, Kansas. Your journey concludes at approximately 5:30 pm at the Historic 1899 Midland Railroad Hotel in Wilson, Kansas. This carefully curated tour offers an engaging and efficient way to explore the history, culture, and natural beauty of central Kansas—all in one unforgettable afternoon.

Tour Agenda

Dorrance: Plentiful Water for Railroad Steam Engines

  • Begin your adventure at the historic Dorrance State Bank, a beautifully preserved landmark.
  • Explore the MGM shed with a hidden gem tied to Hollywood history.
  • Caravan past local homes featured in the classic film Paper Moon, the historic home where Superman “grew up,” and the charming Joy home.
  • Pause to view a surprising and prestigious city grave, steeped in local lore.

Bunker Hill: A Journey Through History

  • Caravan to Bunker Hill, where you’ll encounter fascinating sites along the way such as Watermelon Station, 1870s Cavalry bunkers, and the 1866 Bunker Hill site overlooking a Texas longhorn watering lake. A short stop will reflect on the Smoky Hill Butterfield Overland Dispatch trail between Atchison and Denver.
  • Visit the home of Mother Mary Bickerdyke, a renowned Civil War nurse, and see the former Klu Klux Klan headquarters building—a stark reminder of the area’s complex history.
  • Stop at the Historic Bunker Hill Gas Station and pay respects at Chief Spotted Horse’s grave in the Bunker Hill Cemetery.

Scenic Backroads and Natural Wonders

  • Wind through breathtaking canyons along the south side of Kansas’s clearest lake, enjoying spectacular views from the hills.
  • Travel along sparsely traveled backroads, where you’ll see the site of an 1893 wildfire that tragically claimed lives of Dorrance citizens attempting to protect their community.
  • Marvel at native limestone outcrops, used for fence posts found nowhere else in the world.

Post Rock Scenic Byway and Lucas, Kansas

  • Join the state-designated Post Rock Scenic Byway, crossing the Wilson Lake Dam to reach Lucas, the Grassroots Art Capital of Kansas.
  • Explore downtown art shops and visit the legendary “Garden of Eden”, a folk-art masterpiece created by S.P. Dinsmoor.

Wilson: The Czech Capital of Kansas

  • Conclude your tour in Wilson, the Czech Capital of Kansas, with a visit to the Betty Kepka Art Museum & Gallery.
  • Wrap up your day with warm hospitality, delicious dining, and refreshing drinks at the Historic 1899 Midland Railroad Hotel, where you can relax and reflect on your journey.

Complimentary drinks and pastries are provided at the Dorrance Bankery. There you will also pick up complimentary tickets that offer 20% discounts for fine dining and lodging at the Midland Railroad Hotel. Book your hotel arrangements early as rooms fill quickly at the hotel.

Dates Available

April: 12 & 26

May: 10

June: 14 & 21

July: 12 & 19

August: 9 & 23

September: 6 & 20

Other dates available upon request with a minimum of ten guests. Call 785-666-4470

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