Historic Driving Tour

Finnup Park

Land for the park was donated to the city in 1919 by George Finnup in memory of his father, Frederick, an early pioneer.

Located in Finnup Park:

Finney County Historical Museum

(see Attractions)

Historical Marker

Located south of the "Big" Pool, this marker notes the Arkansas River was a national boundary line from 1805-1845.

Pleasant Valley School House

Located W. of the Museum, one-room schools like this were typical in early-day Finney County. Open by appointment through the Museum.

William D. Fulton Home

Located south of the museum, the home was relocated in 2004 from its original location at 404 N. 7th. The William D. Fulton family moved into this house from their homestead in September of 1884. William and his brother, James, were the first to file on land in (Sequoyah) Finney County in 1879. Open by appointment through the Museum.

Lee Richardson Zoo

(see Attractions)

Sandsage Bison Range and Wildlife Area

Located S. of the river bridge on Bus. US 83. Tours are available by appointment. (see Attractions)

Point of Rocks

Located E. of Garden City on US 50 to Raceway Road (turn south) and travel to the dead end (turn east) on River Road for 2 miles. Point of Rocks is on the north side of the road and is across from the Weldon Outdoor Classroom. It is on private property. Travelers used this elevated outcropping of rocks as a landmark for the Santa Fe Trail.

Two Ghost Towns

Ravanna and Eminence were both thriving towns in the 1880's. There was fierce rivalry between the two for the permanent location of the Garfield County seat. During the process, the area was surveyed and found to have less than the 432 square miles required for organization. As a result, the area was annexed to Finney County in 1893 and Ravanna and Eminence eventually died out.

Ravanna - Granite marker on K-156. Located 24 mi E. of Garden City on K-156, 7 mi N. on K-23 & 4 mi E. on Lake Rd. The ruins on the north side of the road (on private property) are what remains of the school house.

Eminence - Located E. on K-156, turn north at first turn after mile marker 21, continue 2 mi to a dead end, E. 1/2 mi, N. 1 mi, 1/4 mi E. to stone school house. The school house is now used as a farm shop. It is on private property.

Beersheba Historical Marker

Beersheba, the first Jewish agricultural colony in Kansas, was founded in 1882 in attempt to help Eastern European Jews establish agricultural careers. It was located on the Pawnee Creek, about 22 miles northeast of Cimarron near present-day Kalvesta. The marker commemorating this unusual bit of western Kansas history is located at the junction of Kansas Highway 23 and Kansas Highway 156.

Sugar Beet Factory

2005 W. Fulton - The factory opened in 1906, reviving the economy. Irrigation ditches dug in the 1880's were enlarged and used to water the sugar beets. It closed in 1955.

Jewish Cemetery

Located 4 miles north of Kansas Ave on US 83, 4 miles west (SE corner of Chmelka & Lowe Roads). There are 4 grave sites visible. This land was permanently deeded for a cemetery in 1892.

Holcomb

Located 6 miles W. of Garden City on US 50. Until 1910, this settlement was known as Sherlock, the official mail stop for this area until the Fultons persuaded the railroad to stop in Garden City.

Pierceville

Located 12 miles E. of Garden City on US 50. This first settlement in Sequoyah County was a headquarters for a ranch. The original townsite was destroyed by fire during an Indian Raid in 1874.