The One Small Town In Kansas With More Historic Places Than Any Other

Kansas entered the Union relatively late: it was officially declared a state in 1861, making it the 34th state. However, despite its relatively young age, there are still plenty of historic places in Kansas. If you’re looking for small towns in the Sunflower State filled with historical sites, Baxter Springs suits the bill perfectly. This little town has a population of under 4,000 but has plenty of sites with historical significance.

Baxter Springs, Kansas Route 66 Visitors Center, 940 Military Ave, Baxter Springs, KS 66713, USA

Eric Roberts/Google Maps

Route 66 is perhaps the most famous highway in the nation, and one of the best rest stops along its 2,448-mile route is this darling Visitor's Center in Kansas. Constructed in 1930, the little spot was once a gas station. It's now a volunteer-run museum open seasonally from March to November.

Rainbow Bridge, Southeast Beasley Road, Baxter Springs, KS, USA

Andrade pareja/Google Maps

The Rainbow Bridge was constructed in 1923. It's a single-span Marsh arch concrete bridge and is the only surviving bridge of that type along the entirety of Route 66. You may also hear it referred to as the Brush Creek Bridge.

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Rial A. Niles House, 605 E 12th St, Baxter Springs, KS 66713, USA

AbeEzekowitz/Wikimedia Commons

The Rial A. Niles House is a beautiful home built in 1870 for a local businessman. It was to later serve as an Episcopal Church for several decades, but is now once again a private residence. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

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The Ritz Movie Theatre, 1143 Military Ave, Baxter Springs, KS 66713, USA

Brian Rardin/Google Maps

The Ritz opened in 1926, making it one of the oldest theaters in Kansas. It has been recently renovated and still shows films today.

532 E 12th St, Baxter Springs, KS 66713, USA

Google Maps

This home is a private residence not open for tours, but it's listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the home of Glad Robinson Youse, a famous American composer.

Baxter Springs Cemetery, 166 West Ave, Baxter Springs, KS 66713, USA

Tina Caparella/Google Maps

This 50-acre cemetery was established in 1863. It serves as the final resting place for a number of Civil War soldiers.

Have you ever visited Baxter Springs? What other small towns in Kansas with many historical sites do you know of? Share your experiences in the comments!