Glacial Hills Scenic Byway

Glacial Hills Scenic Byway. . , Welcome to the Glacial Hills, rich with Kansas history and spectacular views of the mighty Missouri River., It is hard to imagine a time when the land traversed by the Glacial Hills Scenic Byway was once covered by almost 500 feet of ice. Yet, these scenic hills, streams, and valleys, formed by the sculptural power of great ice sheets and powerful prehistoric winds, testify to this distant era. But just as its landscape reveals an important part of earth's history, the byway also guides us through our nation's continuing story. Its hills, home to the Iowa and Sac and Fox nations, were explored by Lewis and Clark's Corps of Discovery. Today, visitors can discover the famous river towns of Atchison, namesake of the storied Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad and hometown of the legendary aviator Amelia Earhart. See Leavenworth, Kansas' first city, where cultural and historic offerings transcend the federal installations that have made its name famous around the world. Visit Troy, where Abraham Lincoln spoke during his campaign for president in 1859, the westernmost stop of his entire campaign., The Glacial Hills Scenic Byway invites all to experience the land where famous names such as Abraham Lincoln, Dwight D. Eisenhower, George C. Marshall, George Patton, Colin Powell, Douglas MacArthur, Amelia Earhart, Susan B. Anthony, Fred Harvey, and many others lived, taught, learned, or conducted business., The Kansas Byways system features five themes to express the rich and continuing story of our state. This kiosk is a guide to these themes and the places and stopping points along the Glacial Hills Scenic Byway that help bring them to life. While following in the footsteps of people who long ago traveled these paths, take some time to savor the landscape, visit the towns, talk to the people, and take back memories of this beautiful and historic part of Kansas., "If I went west, I think I would go to Kansas - to Leavenworth or Atchison… these are and will continue to be fine growing places." , -Abraham Lincoln, as a candidate during his 1859 presidential bid, The Landscapes of Kansas , Kansas includes a wide variety of landscapes, shaped by both geologic processes and human activities such as farming and mining. Many of our byways are based on unique landforms and habitats that provide wonder and pleasure to residents and visitors alike. The worn hills and carved valleys of the rocky glaciated region left a fertile and attractive landscape that has continued to bring people into the region to explore Kansas., Physiographic Regions of Kansas , Based on common landscape features and geological history, geologists have divided Kansas into the 11 different regions shown on the map. These regions (sometimes called physiographic provinces) each tell their own story about Kansas' geology., Land's Legacy , Storylines of the Kansas Byways , Northeast Kansas, covered by glaciers about 600,000 years ago, features scenic loess bluffs such as Lookout Mountain and fertile farmland, deposited as silt when glaciers melted. The Missouri River, also part of the Land's Legacy, was a transportation route westward for explorers like Lewis and Clark., Immigrants All , Storylines of the Kansas Byways , Many of the Immigrants All that began their journey across Kansas started along this byway from launching points like Atchison or Leavenworth via trail, coach, or railroad. Others settled the fertile hills, farming and building barns like the byre and bluff barns to take advantage of the hilly topography., (photo caption:), The character of the Glacial Hills Scenic Byway resides not only in the beautiful bluffs overlooking the Missouri and its river towns, but also in the area's spirit of curiosity and discovery., Kansas Byways , The Kansas byways are as much about people and stories as they are about scenery. The story of Kansas can be organized into five storylines, like chapters in a novel. Kiosks and signs along the byways tell the larger story with context to enrich your experience, spark your interest in the state, and shine a spotlight on its unique landscapes and communities. , Storylines of the Kansas Byways, Land's Legacy , To know America, you must know the Great Plains. To know the Great Plains, you must know Kansas., Land's Legacy, the first byway storyline, explores the land itself and how that landscape has shaped human history. As a vast grassland - that once extended unbroken from the Missouri River to the Rocky Mountains - the Great Plains defines this country and its people as fundamentally as any of the nation's better-known landscapes. Often overlooked, the stunning landscapes and varied wildlife of the Great Plains provides a scenic backdrop against which this country was made whole as the last frontier for American settlement., First People, First Nations , Native Americans have a rich 11,000-year history in Kansas, inhabiting the state since the end of the Ice Age., First People, First Nations focuses on pre-Columbian history, before contact with Europeans, American settlement, and the subsequent displacement of tribes. This storyline presents Native American heritage independent of the eventual influence of Euro-American peoples. While it provides basic facts concerning the Native Americans in Kansas, it is more than a retrospective, emphasizing the history and importance of the Native Americans to present-day generations., Immigrants All , All Kansans are or have been immigrants, from the first Native American to today's most recent Kansan., Immigrants All follows the people who came to and settled in Kansas. While discussions of settlers often bring to mind stories of Euro-American pioneers, this storyline also includes Native American tribes who were forced to come to Kansas, whether they stayed or not. From settlers to traders, soldiers to passers-through, migrants to refugees, Immigrants All is about people and their efforts to eke out an existence in the Kansas territory. There is no native Kansan; all are immigrants., Bridging the American Divide , The Great Plains is an iconic American landscape that changed the complexion of the American saga., The Great Plains is a land that fundamentally changed the way Americans view the country and themselves. American settlers pushed west, but it wasn't until they were able to occupy the space in the middle. Bridging the American Divide, that America was finally complete from sea to shining sea. The Kansas Byways, in general, stretch across a rural landscape where travelers are exposed to some of the most open vistas in the nation, a landscape that redefined America., Past Forward , Adaptations and inventions necessary to settling the Great Plains continue evolving to serve humanity., Kansas settlers were faced with a foreign landscape that challenged their abilities to adapt, adjust, and persevere. Many from the humid, forested eastern United States were unprepared for the treeless expanses west of the Missouri River Basin. With harsh winters, endless wind, and scarce wood, new adaptations and inventions were developed to tame the rugged landscape. As inventions such as the American windmill continue to evolve, Kansans illuminate the way forward by drawing on the lessons of the past., Explore the Byways , Experience Kansas along its 12 distinctly unique byways. With nine scenic and three historic byways - including two National Scenic Byways - you can connect with the state's authentic culture, natural beauty, and rich history against a backdrop created over the millennia., 1) Land and Sky , Travel northwest Kansas where the wide-open expanse and endless sky meet on the horizon. Along this scenic route, once can scale the highest point in Kansas, explore the rugged Arikaree Breaks, follow the Great Western Cattle Trail, and learn about agriculture adaptation in the dry High Plains., 2) Western Vistas , Visit a rugged landscape on the culturally and visually fascinating route in the Wild West of legend. Where Native Americans and pioneers once eked out a living, this historic byway has become a geologist's and paleontologist's paradise with unusual rock formations and one of the world's best fossil hunting areas., 3) Smoky Valley , Named for their hazy, blue appearance at sunrise and sunset, the Smoky Hills divide the mixed-grass prairie from the shortgrass prairie of the western Great Plains. Passing along the historic Smoky Hill Trail, this byway showcases native grasses and wildflowers year-round in addition to its unique history and places of special beauty like the Cedar Bluff Reservoir., 4) Post Rock , Over weathered bedrock in the Smoky Hills, this scenic byway displays its striking beauty across fields, pastures, prairies, and special places like Wilson Lake. The challenging landscape required pioneers to earn their space here, as revealed by the route's namesake limestone fence posts. This creative and resourceful legacy lives on in its people., 5) Wetlands and Wildlife National Scenic Byway , Formed by ancient and ongoing geological motion, this is a land of stunning bird migrations, wild winds and weather, and richly layered human activity, along with its rare inland salt marsh. Everywhere is evidence of movement and change, from rippling wheat fields to the spectacle of 100,000 shorebirds alighting in wetlands along this National Scenic Byway., 6) Gypsum Hills , Noteworthy for its rolling, weathered red hills, picturesque vistas, and outdoor recreational options, this byway offers plenty of diverse and tantalizing views. With a rugged landscape of ancient floodplains, buttes, canyons, mesas, and sinkholes, the drive includes two scenic overlooks to help visitors soak it all in., 7) Prairie Trail , Along the byway, follow the steps of Native Americans, explorers, and pioneers as they sought food, shelter, adventure, and a better life. Early traders followed the nearby Santa Fe Trail, 19th century cowboys drove cattle along the Chisholm Trail, and today tourists visit places like Kanopolis and the Maxwell Wildlife refuge to experience the same wonder., 8) Native Stone , Limestone is the bedrock on which much of Kansas rests, providing countless natural landmarks and building material for many historic buildings. This byway highlights the natural wonder of the rock formations and the amazing craft-work of masons who built Kansas' communities of native stone., 9) Flint Hills National Scenic Byway , Experience incredible views of the native grasses and flowers of the tallgrass prairie, one of the last in the world along this National Scenic Byway. Unlike in other places, much of the land looks as it did for thousands of years as the Kaw and other native tribes lived here, and as traders navigated the Santa Fe Trail to New Mexico., 10) Glacial Hills , This scenic byway gets its name from the rolling hills and rock-strewn valleys carved by ancient glaciers. The receding ice left a beautiful landscape of fertile farmland and nearby rivers. Its magnetic presence has drawn many visitors, from Lewis and Clark, to Kansas' earliest settlers, to present-day sightseers., 11) Frontier Military , Travel through time, visiting the forts built along this historic byway. Originally meant to move soldiers and supplies, the Military Trail watched American history unfold. From north to south, visitors will find historical gems from Kansas' frontier days and the Civil War, including the historic Forts Leavenworth and Scott. A small cabin in Baxter Springs marks the spot of Fort Blair. , 12) Historic Route 66 , Kansas' Historic Route 66 Byway offers opportunities for visitors to "get their own kicks" while driving the original Kansas portion of Route 66. In southeast Kansas on the "Ozark Plateau," this byway invites travelers to enjoy and experience the history and culture of Kansas along this famous route., (reverse side:), Glacial Hills Scenic Byway , Welcome to the Glacial Hills, rich with Kansas history and spectacular views of the mighty Missouri River., The Glacial Hills Scenic Byway , The Glacial Hills Scenic Byway gets its name from the fertile hills of loess, carried by the ancient glaciers that once covered northeast Kansas. Meandering along the Missouri River, the byway winds through former Native American tribal lands, including those of the Iowa who still reside near White Cloud, the town named for their famous chief. The river was integral to the area's development as a major mode of transport for Native Americans, explorers like Lewis and Clark, and for industry that used steamboats to carry goods up and down the river. As a result, towns along the byway are some of the oldest in the state, acting as starting points for many journeys across Kansas including the Smoky Hill, Oregon, and California Trails; the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway; and even the Pony Express, which all originated nearby. For all these reasons and more, those along the byway continue to celebrate their heritage, sharing the past through their historic downtowns and stately homes. So like many visitors before, all are invited to travel along the Glacial Hills Scenic Byway and experience its charm., Beginning Your Byway Tour , White Cloud , In 1804, Lewis and Clark rested on the bluffs of the Missouri on lands of the Iowa Nation. Named for an Iowa chief, White Cloud incorporated some 50 years later, reaching a population of more than 2,000 as a steamboat port, growing until the railroad transformed travel. Today, White Cloud has fewer than 200 people and is known for its historic buildings including the entire downtown; as the filming location of the movie 1973 Paper Moon, and for the famous White Cloud Flea Market. It is also the seat of government for the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska., Troy , With a landscape of wooded river bluffs, hills and valleys of native grass, and an impressive history encompassing the stories of three Native American tribes, the Oregon Trail, and Abraham Lincoln, Doniphan County and its seat of Troy have all the makings of a tourist attraction. Platted in 1855 and named after the ancient city of Troy, it grew as part of the wagon route from St. Joseph, Missouri to Oregon and California. Its beautiful courthouse and historic downtown buildings, like the Sidney Tennant House, help share that history. , Atchison , When Lewis and Clark celebrated their first Independence Day in the West, they did so on the banks of a creek just outside Atchison. In recognition of this day they named it Independence Creek and the bluffs to the south became home to Atchison. Incorporated in 1858, Atchison became a commercial center, doing business by steamboat, wagon, stagecoach, and the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad. Birthplace of Amelia Earhart, Atchison still boasts a charming riverside setting with boutique shops, quaint cafes, restaurants, historic homes, stately buildings, and museums along tree-lined brick streets, all rooted in history and tradition., Leavenworth , Leavenworth, the "First City of Kansas," was incorporated in 1854 as a "jumping off point" for the West. The historic city still embraces magnificent homes dating from the mid-1800s like the 1882 Carroll Mansion, a diverse variety of dining choices, and quaint shops in the 28-block historic downtown. Take a self-guided wayside tour of Leavenworth and Fort Leavenworth, stroll along the Missouri River, or visit its numerous museums featuring information on subjects like the Underground Railroad. , Fort Leavenworth , Founded in 1827, Fort Leavenworth is the "Post that opened the West" and the oldest operating fort west of the Mississippi. Open to the public, the "Best Hometown in the Army" features well-preserved historic homes and buildings along with a self-guided wayside tour. The National Cemetery, established in 1862 by Abraham Lincoln, and the Frontier Army Museum, telling the area's story since 1800, are special attractions, as is the Buffalo Soldier Monument dedicated in 1992 by General Colin Powell., Past Forward , Storylines of the Kansas Byways , Glacial Hills Scenic Byway has continued to carry the Past Forward. Tall Oak, the sculpture in Troy, alludes to the Kickapoo, Potawatomi, Iowa, and Sac and Fox tribes of the region, while cultural tourism like the town's historical tours are another way of celebrating and capitalizing on the area's heritage., Bridging the American Divide , Storylines of the Kansas Byways , Since Leavenworth, Kansas' first city, was founded, Bridging the American Divide to connect the coasts has been integral to its history. The Pony Express tried joining the nation by rapid mail delivery, switching horses at relay stations, including one at Troy. Visitors to Kansas, like Abraham Lincoln, also brought the region to the national stage., First People, First Nations , Storylines of the Kansas Byways , Many First People, First Nations inhabited the area near the Missouri River due to its access to food, water, and shelter. As European settlers moved west, additional tribes were pushed to the river including the Iowa and Sac and Fox peoples, both of which still reside in reservations near the byway. , Points of Interest , Four State Lookout , Lookout Point, White Cloud , The Four-State Lookout in White Cloud, one of the 8 Wonders of Kansas, is a viewing platform offering a breathtaking view of the broad Missouri River Valley and parts of Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Iowa., White Cloud School and Ma-Hush-Kah Historical Museum , South of the Main Street and 5th Street Intersection, White Cloud , Named using the phonetic spelling of the former chief of the Iowa Tribe, Mahaska II or "White Cloud," the museum is found in the city's former 1872 school and is open during the White Cloud Flea Markets or by special arrangement., Doniphan County Courthouse , 120 E. Chestnut Street, Troy , Built form 1905 to 1906, and designed by George P. Washburn, one of the state's leading contemporary architects, this courthouse exhibits the Romanesque influence on Kansas government buildings. Artifacts include items from the Iowa and Sac and Fox Mission and a chair exhibited at the Columbian Exposition in 1896. , Tall Oak , 120 E. Chestnut Street, Troy , At the courthouse stands Tall Oak, a 27-foot-tall, 10-ton sculpture of a Native American by artist Peter Toth. Hand-crafted from a 67-inch diameter burr oak log, the monument has feathers, a neck broach, and head band alluding to the local Kickapoo, Potawatomi, Iowa and Sac and Fox tribes.