Area Attractions

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Area Attractions

The Arikaree Breaks

The breaks are located on the far northern edge of Cheyenne County. This area of extremely rough terrain, with its deep ravines and gullies, is a marked contrast to the plains generally associated with the area. The breaks are 36 miles long and approximately two to three miles wide. They extend into Rawlins County and several miles into Colorado. There are few trees in the rough terrain. However, the pasture land has many yucca plants, or soap weed, which are beautiful in the spring when they bloom. There are several public roads through the breaks, giving visitors some outstanding viewing sites of this rugged wonder. A driving tour (.pdf format) of the area is available online. Check out the Eight Wonders of Kansas

Cherry Creek Encampment

Located two miles west and north of St. Francis, this site features a memorial to the Cheyenne Indian survivors of the Sand Creek Massacre on November 29, 1864. Created by a local historian and metal sculptor Tobe Zweygardt, a tepee is guarded by an Indian brave astride his horse atop a nearby bluff. A brochure (.pdf format) is available online.

Cheyenne County Cemeteries

For more information on Cheyenne County Cemeteries, please click here.

Cheyenne County Museum

The museum features a diorama complete with prehistoric fossils uncovered locally that show life as it progressed over the millennia on the High Plains. The museum has an outstanding collection of furniture and period exhibits of frontier life, all of which came from county residents.

Located on U.S. Highway 36 in St. Francis
Hours: 1-4 p.m. Monday through Friday or by appointment
Phone: 785-332-2504 for an appointment or more information

Republican River

The south fork of the Republican River flows through the middle of Cheyenne County. On its east side is the Riverwalk, a half-mile path along the Republican that offers gorgeous foliage in the spring, summer, and fall. The Riverwalk is a popular spot for running, dog-walking, picnics beside the river, and animal watching: deer frequent the area, as well as a wide variety of other animals.

Round Hole Campsite

US CAVALRY CAMPSITE NORTH OF

BIRD CITY KANSAS

A camp for Native Americans and military men under the leadership of General Custer, Colonel Bankhead, Lt. Colonel Bradley, Round Hole Campsite is marked 11 miles north of Bird City, memorializing this "oasis on the plains."

Sawhill Park & Bandshell

In 1934, during the dust storms and crop failures on the Plains, one man had a vision of an oasis with shaded green lawns and colorful gardens. Working with the City Council, Howard T. Sawhill and his wife Vivian set forth a plan to build a park on an empty lot on Main Street in downtown St. Francis. With WPA workmen and federal funds, the park became a reality. Today the park is the setting for many special events in St. Francis, including the annual Cheyenne County Car Show, the Relay for Life and the Farmers' Market. Some years the Alumni Reunion holds events in the park; in the summer, families picnic and children enjoy the playground equipment. Outdoor productions are performed in the amphitheater with an attentive audience in the circle of auditorium seats. There have even been weddings performed in the park. Click here for more pictures and history of Sa whill Park.

Ye Old Country Church

This country church was moved to its current site beside the Cheyenne County Museum in 1988. The church served two early county congregations, first the German Evangelical Lutheran Immanuel Church from 1914 to 1946 and then the South Fork Friends congregation from 1951 until 1986. Refurbished with the original pump organ and altar, the church is used by many in the community for weddings, funerals, and receptions.