Honestly, if you're looking for Kansas sights, you're probably thinking about endless preriens and cornfields right away, but the true heart is located here in the small Kansas Township, embedded in rural Edgar County, Illinois. I stopped there for the first time, because my Navi led me “shorely off the highway” – a lost tractor that catapulted me into a piece of history that was founded in 1857 and has hardly been noticed ever since. The old wood shrubs, which still carry the echo of cattle shoots from the reconstruction era, give me the feeling of entering a piece of forgotten Americana while at the same time I melt over the obsolete road sign, which still announces “Kansas”, although the next gas station is 15 miles away.
A short trip by train (yes, the Amtrak line still holds here, if you are lucky) takes you to the neighboring Edgar, the actual county capital, where the old town hall still calls the official “Welcome in the Middle West”. I don't understand the hype about the annual county fair, but the local diner next to the post office serves the best peach cake I've ever tasted – really super, no joke. And while you sneak through the dusty field paths, you will notice that the only “marks” here are the honest smile of the inhabitants and the occasional circle of a passing tractor. So if you want to experience the authentic, slightly cynical flair of the Middle West, Kansas Township is your underestimated goal.
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The old railway shed on the edge of Kansas, Kansas Township, is not a tourist magnet, but it has the certain something I miss with many overrun attractions – a bit of dust, squeaking wooden beams and the quiet sum of a forgotten story. I found an old photo album there, which apparently came from a locomotive leader from the 1930s; that was a real lucky handle, because you hardly find visitors there and parking is almost always a Klack, as long as you don't show up with the whole farmer's drive there on Saturday night.
A short trip to Paris, about 15 miles south, leads to Edgar County Historical Museum. The building itself is a classic example of the sober Prairie architecture, but the exhibitions – from ancient tractors to handwritten journals of pioneers – are surprisingly alive. I remember hiding in a corner between an old barn and an original-1905 poster, because an older gentleman suddenly began to philosophize loudly over the “good old time”. Parking? Right in front of the museum there is a small farm that is usually free, unless the annual harvest is in full swing.
Just one piece further Hennepin Canal Parkway State Park. Who thinks a canal is just a piece of water that goes through the landscape is huge – here there are kilometers of hiking and cycling paths that lead through fields and over old locks. I once made a picnic with a friend who insisted that the water was “as clear as a mountain lake”; honestly, it was rather cloudy, but the rest was unpaid. The car park at the visitor center is small, but sufficient as long as you do not get to the high season.
A little further south, almost on the border with Indiana, this is Lincoln Trail State Park. The name sounds like an epic pilgrimage, but in reality it is a tranquil place with a small lake that invites for fishing – and that is exactly what I appreciate on this spot: no crowds, only the occasional quaken of a duck. I once tried to borrow a canoe, just to find out that the staff is planning their own fishing trips on the weekend. Nevertheless, parking is an open field that you can easily find when following the signs.
For those looking for a little culture away from the fields, this is Illinois Railway Museum in Union a must. It is the largest railway museum in the USA and houses more than 400 exhibits, from steam locomotives to modern diesel engines. I was there in a rainy afternoon and hid myself in an old dining car, while a guide chatted about the “golden times” of the railway – a bit cheesy, but somehow fascinating. The museum has a large parking lot, which, however, will be filled quickly on Saturday afternoons, so rather early.
A short detour to the south leads to Prairie State Park in Vermilion County. The park is a real nature reserve that preserves the original prairie landscape. I made a guided hike where a Ranger explained why the Bison grass is so important for the ecosystem – a bit dry, but the vast golden fields have something meditative. The parking lot is located directly at the entrance and is usually empty, unless the annual Bison Festival attracts visitors.
If you have the feeling of having enough of nature and history, it is worth a trip to Old Town Hall in Kansas itself – a small but charming building that still serves as a community centre. I took part in a local meeting where the inhabitants discussed the future of the village; that was a real insight into life here, far from the tourist clichés. Parking is practically right in front of the building, but you have to count on a few parked tractors.
Whether you are looking for historical relics, quiet natural paradises or a touch of local peculiarity – the environment of Kansas, Kansas Township, Edgar, Illinois has more to offer than you would suspect at first sight. These Kansas Attractions show that the heart of the Middle West consists not only of endless corn fields, but of small stories waiting to be discovered.
I have to confess that what I am about Kansas City most dear, not the wide prairie, but the tiny, but self-willing Kansas United Methodist Church. The church is in the middle of the village, its red brick roof is almost a local lighthouse – not only for those who want to pray on Sundays. I once organized a picnic there, because the church ship was empty after the church service and the benches felt surprisingly comfortable. Parking is usually easy except when the annual harvesting festival starts; then you have to avoid a few blocks.
Directly next to the church, Kansas City Hall, a building from the early 1900s that has more stories to tell than some large city library. I visited a meeting of local historians there, and while I sat on the sticky wooden floor, I heard the quiet sum of an old heating that refused to survive the winter – a real charm factor if you like the retro look.
A short walk leads you to Kansas Grain Elevator, the massive silo system that watches over the fields like a silent giant. I don't understand the hype about such industrial monsters, but the game with the shadows that the sun throws on the metal walls in the late afternoon is really fascinating. When you arrive there, look out for the small sign that bears the name of the owner from 1953 – a detail that even overlooks the incarnated Instagram influencers.
For those who need a little green, there is the Kansas Community Park. The park is small, but it has a baseball diamond, a few old benches and a playground that shows more rust than color. I started a spontaneous baseball match with native teenagers there – they almost beat me over the fence because I threw the ball too hard. Parking is a children's game because the field is located directly on the main road and there are hardly more than a few free places.
Another highlight that I do not want to conceal is the Kansas Public Library. Yes, you have read correctly – a library in a village that has hardly more than a dozen houses. The shelves are full of local newspapers from the 1920s, and the staff knows every visitor. I found an old photo album there, which documents the foundation of the village – a real treasure for history nerds. Parking is practically always possible here, because the library is next to the town hall and the small car park is never full.
If you're looking for something quieter, go to Kansas Cemetery. The cemetery is not only a place of commemoration, but also an open history book. I discovered the grave of a veteran from the First World War, whose gravestone is still shaded by a single but proud oak. The way there is well signposted, and parking is usually not a problem – unless you plan a picnic there on Sunday morning.
Last but not least, a small hint for all those whoKansas Attractions‘ googeln: Most of these places are not touristy, which means that you feel almost like a local as soon as you take the first steps. I have the feeling that the village is a bit like a well kept secret – and that's exactly what I appreciate about Kansas Township.
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