Historical Attractions
Mennonite Heritage and Agriculture Museum — 200 N. Poplar Goessel
The museum was dedicated in 1974. The compound was a 100th anniversary tribute to Russian Mennonites who migrated from Russia. The compound of eight buildings includes five buildings that are over 100 years old. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. For more information, call (620) 367-8200.
Morgan House — 221 N. Walnut, Peabody
The Morgan House is a two-story Queen Anne-style Cottage built by W.H Morgan, the first editor of the Peabody Gazette in 1881. It is open by appointment. For more information, call (620) 983-2174.
Peabody Business District — 100 block of N. Walnut
Peabody was only the second community in Kansas to have its entire downtown district registered in the National Register of Historic Places. Many of the buildings were constructed in 1874. The district is historically significant because of the examples of several architectural styles. Call (620) 983-2174 for more information.
Marion Museum — 501 E. Main St., Marion
The museum was originally constructed in 1882 as a First Baptist Church; it served that purpose until the mid-1950s. The museum has displays of a variety of artifacts that tell the story of the area. It is open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 12 to 2 p.m. on Sundays. It is open from May 1 through mid-October. Call (620) 382-9134 for more information.
The Harvey House — 221 N. Marion St., Florence
The Harvey House is on the National Register of Historic Places. It was originally known as the Clifton Hotel and was established in Florence in 1879 along the Santa Fe Railroad depot. It can be seen by appointment. Call (620) 878-4296 for more information.
Elgin Hotel — 3rd and Santa Fe streets, Marion
The hotel, on the National Register of Historic Places, was built in 1886. It is still an active bed and breakfast. For more information call (620) 382-3200.
Marion County Courthouse — 3rd and Williams streets, Marion
The courthouse built in 1900 is an example of Romanesque architecture. It is also on the National Register of Historic Places. For more information call (620) 382-2185.
St. John Nepomucene Church — Pilsen
The home parish of Father Emil Kapaun, Korean War hero and candidate for Sainthood. The church was built in 1917. You can celebrate Mass 9 a.m. Thursday and 10:30 Sunday. For more information call (620) 382-3369.
Tabor College — 400 S. Jefferson St., Hillsboro
Tabor has been a Mennonite Brethren college in Hillsboro for 100 years. The Centennial celebration will be homecoming Oct. 2. For more information call (620) 947-2607.
Peabody Museum and Annex — 210 N. Walnut, Peabody
It was built in 1874 as a library but has been used as a museum since 1961 when the Peabody Historical society saved it. It is open by appointment. For more information, call, (620) 983-2174
Marion County Auto Tour of the Santa Fe Trail — from Lost Springs to Lehigh
At any time, visitors can travel the Santa Fe Trail through Marion County, checking 20 historic markers along the southwestern route. For more information call (620) 285-2054.
Recreation
Marion County Park and Lake — Southeast of Marion on Upland Road
Finished in 1940, the lake covers 153 acres and reaches 40 feet deep. Visitors can enjoy camping, picnicking, fishing, boating, and hiking. There is a 24-hour heated dock during colder months. Contact the lake office at (620) 382-3240.
Marion Reservoir — located between Marion and Hillsboro on U.S. 56
The grounds of the reservoir include 12,000 acres of land, featuring 140 campsites and 10 boat ramps. There are 6,200 acres for fishing and 3,850 acres for hunting. Many anglers also boat up the Cottonwood River, which feeds into the reservoir. For more information, call the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers office at the reservoir, (620) 382-2101.
Marion Central Park — Main Street, Marion
Marion Central Park was the original campsite for settlers of Marion in 1865. In 1884 a fountain was added, which still stands. The park includes a playground, basketball court, gazebo, and Brooker Springs. For more information contact city office, (620) 382-3703.
The USD 408 Sports and Aquatic Center — 102 N. Thorp Street
The center features an indoor pool, walking track, and basketball court. The pool is open 5:30 to 8:30 a.m. for lap swimming, 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. for aerobics and 6 to 7 p.m. for aerobics Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. On Wednesday, there is no open swim. The summer hours include a 1 to 6:30 p.m. open swim. For more information call (620) 382-2384.
Hillsboro Memorial Park — South Ash Street
The park features a playground, scout house for family events, multiple picnic shelters, baseball park, tennis courts, softball fields, and an outdoor pool. Call (620) 947-3162.
Peabody City Park — West Second Street
The park has playground equipment, picnic areas, the municipal swimming pool, the Peabody-Burns High School football field and is home to the annual Fourth of July celebration. For more information call (620) 983-2174
Events
Art in the Park, Central Park, Marion — Sept. 17
Vendors sell arts, crafts, and other wares in Marion’s Central Park. More than 250 artists were featured last year.
Arts and Crafts Fair, Hillsboro — Sept. 17
Vendors sell arts, crafts, and other wares in Hillsboro’s business district. More than 400 artists were featured last year.
Old Settler’s Day, Main Street, Marion — Sept. 24
A parade is the highlight of many events for an all-day gathering of Marion High School alumni.
Lincolnville Oktoberfest, Lincolnville, — Oct. 1
The event starts at 9 a.m. in the Lincolnville Community Center. There is a skeet shooting contest, drawings, and concerts.
Goessel Harvest Festival, Goessel — Oct. 1
Events include a craft show, car show, and street dance
Art and Music Stroll, Main Street in Marion — Oct. 2
Musicians and artists are partnered for an all-day artistic event in Marion.
Tabor College Homecoming, 126 N. Main St., Hillsboro — 2 to 5 p.m. Oct. 15
A parade headlines the gathering of Tabor College Alumni.
Cowboys and cowboy grub, Morgan House, Peabody — 4 to 7 p.m. Nov. 6
Enjoy homemade chili or ham and beans, crackers, cornbread, and cider dessert while listening to guest musicians Mike Flavin, Cowboy Jack, Mike Leonard, Virgil Lears, and Aaron Waddell.
Hillsboro Christmas Parade, downtown Hillsboro, Nov. 26
Farmer’s markets, Marion, Hillsboro, Peabody, and Florence — late May
Each community has a farmer’s market on a different weeknight from May through Labor Day.
Operation Celebration, Peabody — Memorial Day Weekend
A World War II reenactment — the siege on Peabody — headlines a Memorial Day celebration, including a breakfast, farmer’s market, lunch, the state’s largest victory parade, ice cream social, and concerts.
16th Chingawassa Days, Central Park, Marion — June 1,2, and 3
There are concerts Friday and Saturday nights but the festival also includes bed races, dinky duck races, inflatables, chain saw art demonstration, games, and an auction.
Route 56 Classic Car Show, Hillsboro Memorial Park — June 11
Fifty-eight cars, ranging from older to newer muscle cars attended the event in 2011.
Days of Olde Antique Fair, Hillsboro — June 11
Antique vendors sell wares in downtown Hillsboro.
Bluegrass at the Lake, Marion County Lake — June
Amateur bands start the event in the afternoon, followed by polished professional bluegrass acts until 10 p.m.
Garden Tour, 101 Library St., Marion — late June
The tour benefits Marion City Library. Last year the tour included gardens at Marion County Lake, a bouquet of city gardens, a garden backing into a creek, the Main Street sculpture garden, and a Flint Hills wildflower garden.
Redneck in Ramona, Main Street, Ramona — July 4
An evening parade is the highlight of Ramona’s daylong Independence Day Celebration, which includes inflatables and kids games.
91st Peabody July 4th Celebration
A fireworks extravaganza punctuates a three-day Independence Day celebration. On July 2, there is a flea market, rock climbing wall, and Peabody-Burns High School alumni dance. On July 3, there is a horseshoe tournament, kids’ games, car and bike show, free swimming at the pool, and a poker tournament. There is a carnival every day of the festival.
Marion County Fair, Hillsboro — last week in July
Agriculture life is celebrated for two weeks. Animals are shown by county 4-H’ers. There is also a carnival, demolition derby, and rodeo.
Tampa Hog Roast, Tampa — last week in August
Heaping plates of pork are available at the Tampa hog roast celebration. They had about 500 people attend in 2011.
Florence Labor Day, Florence — Labor Day weekend
A parade is the headline event for an all-day Labor Day celebration; but the celebration also includes many games and raffles.