Be sure to stop by Stagecoach Station 15. The Leavenworth and Pikes Peak Stagecoach Line once ran through Norton and stations along the way provided food, lodging and fresh teams of horses. This station, however, stands out among the rest because it served as a hospitable pit stop for famous travelers like Billy the Kid, Horace Greeley, Pat Garrett and Roy Bean. A replica stands nearby of the original site today. You can tour the station which is filled with period furnishings and mannequins in era-defining costumes.
A quirky and fun walk through history can be seen at the They Also Ran Gallery. This gallery is home to 60 portraits of unsuccessful candidates for presidents and is located on the mezzanine of the First State Bank in the Norton. Hotels here have friendly hosts who can help you navigate the town so you can explore more of this unique city. To get a more in-depth look into the city’s upbringing, visit the Norton County Historical Society Museum.
If you’d rather explore the city’s wildlife, head to the Keith Sebelius Reservoir, Prairie Dog State Park and Norton Wildlife Area. You can experience the short grass prairies of western Kansas at the state park or see colonies of prairie dogs digging holes around the last remaining adobe house in Kansas! The park is also home to two vintage 19th-century buildings including a one-room school in addition to the adobe house. The 1,000-acre reservoir located on-site has great fishing opportunities so if you’re an early riser, cast a line and hit the water!
When you book with Choice Hotels in Norton, KS, you can easily wake up feeling refreshed ready to go fishing before sunrise or just hit the town. Discover as much as you can while in this city so you can take a piece of Kansas home with you! Book online now!