HISTORIC SITES
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Oregon Trail ParkJust south of Westmoreland, on the east side of Highway 99 is a park honoring the memory of those thousands of hardy pioneers who camped in this area, near Scott Springs, on their way to a new life in Oregon. The wagon and team of oxen and the sign were built by local craftsman, Ernest White. The land was deeded to Pottawatomie County for one hundred years for $1.00 by descendants of the Scott family.
The park and trails were designed by the Kansas State University Forestry Department. Rest rooms and a shelter with picnic table are available at this site. A handicap accessible walking trail (Little Dog Lost Trail) leads from the park, under the bridge to the other side of the highway and on toward the museum complex, a distance of approximately one mile. |
Rock Creek Valley Historical SocietyRock Creek Valley Historical Society first established a museum in the stone church in 1978. Since that time, the collection of historical items and structures has continued to expand, resulting in a complex of historically significant buildings and displays. The main building was completed in 2001. The building features a replica of an early rural schoolroom, instruments used by an early doctor and dentist, historic Oregon Trail information, a Marlboro cowboy display featuring Wayne Dunafon, our local Marlboro Man of magazine and TV ad fame in the 60's and 70"s. Wiziarde Traveling Novelty Show memorabilia are also on display, as well as many other historically significant objects. Other buildings of the museum complex can be found on the website.
Right: Wiziarde Circus Barn on the grounds of the RC Valley Historical Society museum. |
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Veteran's Memorial
A memorial to those who have served the armed services from Pottawatomie County may be found on the grounds of the original courthouse located at the corner of Main and Second streets.
Hand-Dug Well
Working without the benefit of modern machinery, using only picks and shovels, as many as forty men labored through the winter months and early spring of 1914 on the construction of the Westmoreland city water well.
Original Soda Fountain
The original soda fountain from the 50's era is still in service at the Hoffman Pharmacy in downtown Westmoreland. It was recently designated one of the "8 Wonders of Kansas Customs."
Little Dog Lost Walking Trail
A mile-long handicapped accessible trail extends from the Oregon Trail Park to the Museum complex. A marker is placed along the trail at the site where some years ago a little dog sat day after day, apparently waiting for his family to come back to get him. Locals took pity on him and began bringing him food and eventually a dog house. The little dog became know as "Mike," but later it was discovered that Mike was actually a "she," when a litter of pups made an appearance. Because of the number of cars that were driving by and sometimes stopping to visit the dog and her pups, the Department of Transportation requested the dog family be re-located for safety reasons. A local resident moved the little dog and her family to town, and had no problem eventually finding homes for the pups.
