Decatur County One-Day Travel Itinerary

    Plan to arrive in Oberlin (incorporated in 1885) by mid-morning where you will find one of the best-kept secrets of northwest Kansas.  The Last Indian Raid Museum (256 Penn Avenue) opened as one room in 1958 with a newly constructed sod house on the grounds. Since that time it has grown to 14 historic buildings including an 1886 jail and depot, one room country schoolhouse, corner grocery, Phillips service station, land office, doctor’s office, Old Bohemian Hall and St. Mark’s Church (1888). Regular museum hours begin April 1 and run through November, 10 a.m. to noon and 1-5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. The historic event is observed the first Saturday of October during Mini-Sapa Day.  
Touring Time: 2 hours Fee: $5 adults, $3 children 6-12 years.

    If you have worked up a thirst by now, stop at Coffee, Tea and Me, 159 S. Penn for Espresso drinks, bagels and scones. Next, a brief stop at the Last Indian Raid Memorial found at the cemetery located near the east city limits of Oberlin will round out the story and historic significance of the last raid on Kansas soil.  The 20-foot tall gray granite structure was erected in 1911 in memory of the 19 Decatur County pioneer settlers who lost their lives in the massacre on Sept. 30, 1878. A Kansas historical marker at the site briefly explains the “Flight of the Cheyenne,” led by Chiefs Dull Knife and Little Wolf who were attempting to escape from the desperate conditions in Oklahoma and return to their homeland in the northern plains.
Touring Time: 20 minutes.

    Now head back west to the Penn Avenue entrance to Oberlin and turn south down the hill where you will pass the Pioneer Family Statue sculpted by well-known Kansan Pete Felton.  Continue south on Penn to the second stop light where you will find the Historic Bank of Oberlin which serves as a bed and breakfast.  Take a long lunch break and experience the Victorian West at the Teller Room restaurant, restored to its turn of the century splendor.  The charm of 1886 has once again been recaptured in the LandMark Inn/Teller Room, former Bank of Oberlin and county courthouse, located at 189 Penn Avenue.  The B & B features seven guest suites including the Judge’s Chamber, and 1878 pioneer businessman R. A. Marks’ room. There is also an adjoining gift shop called the Oberlin Mercantile.  Find items with both western and southwestern flair at the Rocking R just a few doors north under Oberlin’s metal canopy covering the local storefronts.  Across the street find The Dresser, a homegrown cooperative clothing store targeting fashion sensitive women and more exclusive gifts can be found at both Prairie Petals floral shop and Ward Drug.  A variety of antique shops are located in the downtown business district and others parts of town.
Lunch and leisurely shopping: 2 hours.

    If you would like to relive some literary history you will find that Decatur County is home to the Ralph Moody historical novels: “Horse of a Different Color” and “The Dry Divide.”  These westerns are acquiring a growing base of new and older readers. They tell farm and ranch life of the early 20th century and Mr. Moody’s farmstead along the Beaver Creek near Cedar Bluffs which is 12 miles north of Oberlin. Find a distinctive black iron silhouette on the west side of U.S. 83 highway as you approach the meandering Beaver Valley.  The ranch in “Horse of a Different Color” was located immediately north of the railroad tracks in Cedar Bluffs, then north to the winding Beaver Creek bed.  All property is visible from the highway.
Roundtrip from Oberlin 40 minutes.

    Back in Oberlin with a need to have some exercise,  go a mile east on U.S. 36 highway to the Country Club’s nine-hole golf course where no tee time is required for one round or two. Green fees are minimal and there are lots of shade trees if you can’t stay on the narrow fairways.  Those wanting to hike or bike need to go a short distance further east to the entrance to Sappa Park, then follow the asphalt for more than a mile to find a 1930’s shelter house built by the CCC.  More than five miles of trails could keep you occupied for most of the afternoon. Bring your binoculars for bird watching and think about staying over for primitive camping. Black Powder shoots are held twice a year and there is Frisbie golf for youngsters as well as picnic tables and fire pits for other activities. Work has already started on a wetlands area surrounded by native grasses, flowers, trees and lots of wildlife.  Wild turkeys are abundant as are deer and pheasant.
Time should not be a factor so stay as long as you want.

    Norcatur is a small community located some 18 miles east of Oberlin and has a great karaoke bar.  One of their town heroes is Eldon Auker, a major league baseball player who was the last pitcher to strike out Babe Ruth. There is a park area in town dedicated to his heroics both on and off the field.
A 20-minute drive from Oberlin

    Jennings, located southeast of Oberlin some 25 miles, was settled by Czechoslovakian immigrants and they have a great museum that fills more than two buildings.  The Czech Memorial museum has complete records from all of the small cemeteries around that area and an excellent WWII exhibit plus many other interesting displays.  Please call ahead for an appointment to view the exhibits at 785-678-2470.

A 30-minute drive from Oberlin.