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Join us in 2026 as we explore Kansas history!
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TOUR OUR
TRAIL DAYS
HISTORIC SITES
We are where Flint Hills' art, food, culture, & history come alive!
Ken & Shirley McClintock welcome you to Trail Days Cafe & Museum!
Take a peek at our Café & Museum...
The Parlor
Sit in the Parlor, by the fireplace, order a "home cooked" meal, that will take you back in time. While waiting, read the "History Happened Here" on your table. Look at the artifacts and read the materials. Next, look at our showcase displays. Find one of the hidden secrets of this stone -- buried for years, under layers of paint, is a Native American Pictograph.
The Pictograph
Louis Burns, a respected historian, Osage Nation tribal member, and author of 10 books on the Osage Tribe, has authenticated this pictograph.
Louis identified this as a memorial to a fallen warrior. We believe that warrior to be George Alexander who was listed as living in this house in 1861 with the Rawlinsons. George and the Rawlinsons' son, James, joined the 8th Infantry and left in September 1861 to fight in the Civil War. James survived the war, but George died on November 4, 1862 and is buried in Danville, Kentucky. George had a wife according to the census of 1860. She was not named. It is suspected that she was a member of the Kanza Tribe. Upon hearing of his death, she and her relatives, may have come here to cut a memorial to him in this Walnut wood door casing. Louis recognized that this was done by a woman or for a woman.
Generally, the Kanza did not put these secret images in public view -- so the question arises as to why they would cut a memorial here. Look closely and in the walnut knot you can see a distinctive face. Walnut has growth circles around its knots and so this face in the middle of these powerful looking circles creates (to the Native Americans) the face of Waconda or God.
Louis said that the general message of the image would be __ "Waconda is ever watchful over them and that He made the tree in which He placed it and they (the Native Americans) should respect Him and His creation." This image would make this a sacred site, under the watchful eye of Waconda (God). The Kanza may have felt safe to place the pictograph here for that reason.
Now, turn towards the stairway and face the stone wall.
Louis identified this as a memorial to a fallen warrior. We believe that warrior to be George Alexander who was listed as living in this house in 1861 with the Rawlinsons. George and the Rawlinsons' son, James, joined the 8th Infantry and left in September 1861 to fight in the Civil War. James survived the war, but George died on November 4, 1862 and is buried in Danville, Kentucky. George had a wife according to the census of 1860. She was not named. It is suspected that she was a member of the Kanza Tribe. Upon hearing of his death, she and her relatives, may have come here to cut a memorial to him in this Walnut wood door casing. Louis recognized that this was done by a woman or for a woman.
Generally, the Kanza did not put these secret images in public view -- so the question arises as to why they would cut a memorial here. Look closely and in the walnut knot you can see a distinctive face. Walnut has growth circles around its knots and so this face in the middle of these powerful looking circles creates (to the Native Americans) the face of Waconda or God.
Louis said that the general message of the image would be __ "Waconda is ever watchful over them and that He made the tree in which He placed it and they (the Native Americans) should respect Him and His creation." This image would make this a sacred site, under the watchful eye of Waconda (God). The Kanza may have felt safe to place the pictograph here for that reason.
Now, turn towards the stairway and face the stone wall.
The Stone Wall
Here we see another hidden secret!
This stone wall was under a porch when the house was first constructed. Ten years later the Terwilligers converted the porch into an addition to the south. This wall was plastered over and protected inside the house.
During the renovation work, the plaster was removed, and this outside stone wall was revealed in pristine, original condition, showing the lines formed on the wall to assist the water to run off more readily. A kernel of corn fell out -- showing a component of the mortar. Another amazing historical and cultural find!
Now, turn around and go up the steps.
This stone wall was under a porch when the house was first constructed. Ten years later the Terwilligers converted the porch into an addition to the south. This wall was plastered over and protected inside the house.
During the renovation work, the plaster was removed, and this outside stone wall was revealed in pristine, original condition, showing the lines formed on the wall to assist the water to run off more readily. A kernel of corn fell out -- showing a component of the mortar. Another amazing historical and cultural find!
Now, turn around and go up the steps.
The Stairs
There are things to view at the top of the stairs!
The Bedroom
As we survey the bedroom, please realize that we have a sleeping baby!
The Commode (Bathroom)
The Commode (Bathroom)
Moms will find a nice spot to make a change.
Our food is ready, so head back downstairs to the Parlor.
Our food is ready, so head back downstairs to the Parlor.
The Coat Rack
On your way back downstairs, be sure to notice the coat rack located on the wall of the hallway. It was originally in the 1859 Commercial Hotel. This hotel was located where the current post office now stands.
Your meal is ready!
This German Schnitzel meal was brought to Kansas by way of the Germans who were living in Russia and immigrated to America, bringing with them the hard red winter wheat that made Kansas the bread basket of the world.
Having had a "taste of history" in the parlor of Trail Days Café & Museum, it is time to take a look around the grounds of Trail Days Historic Site.
Having had a "taste of history" in the parlor of Trail Days Café & Museum, it is time to take a look around the grounds of Trail Days Historic Site.
Let's explore the rest of our historic sites...
The Trail Days Arts & History Center
Here, we feature the art, history, and culture of the Flint Hills.
Welcome to the Trail Days Arts & History Center!
The Barn
Now, we take a journey to the barn and take a look at the Santa Fe Trail Barn Quilt. "The Atkinson Log House" is housed inside this barn.
The Field School
South of the barn is a country schoolhouse. "Field School" was constructed in 1902 and was moved to this spot in 1999.
The Chicken House
Located South of the school is a replica "early day" chicken house.
Six live chickens provide a living history exhibit from Spring to Fall.
Six live chickens provide a living history exhibit from Spring to Fall.
1943 World War II Cabin
This lone survivor of four cabins built on these grounds in 1943 originally housed personnel serving at the Herington Army Air Field at Delavan, KS, during World War II. The Captains, Lieutenants, and higher-ranking officers stayed in these cabins.
The 1930s Cabins
Our last stop is the 1930 cabins built originally as two tile-block stucco cabins for travelers on Highway 56 to rent for the night. In 1944, they were joined together. They exemplify early one-room motor camp cabins.
This concludes our tour!
We say goodbye and hope
you will come to see us again soon!
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