Junction City is located in the state of Kansas and has a lot of culture to offer as well as great sights and interesting destinations. So if you’re planning a trip to Junction City, you’ve come to the right place!
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Vacation in Junction City
Junction City is a great vacation spot for those who enjoy outdoor activities. The city is located in northcentral Kansas, and is situated at the confluence of the Smoky Hill and Republican rivers. This scenic location is perfect for fishing, canoeing, hiking, and bird watching. In addition to its many natural attractions, Junction City is also home to several museums and historical sites.
The Kauffman Museum is a good place to start your exploration of Junction City. The museum tells the story of the city’s founding, and chronicles its growth from a small frontier town to a bustling metropolis. Other highlights of the museum include a display on the Santa Fe Trail, and a handson area for children.
For a more indepth look at Junction City’s history, be sure to visit the Heritage Center. This facility is devoted to the preservation of the city’s past, and features rotating exhibits on topics such as the Civil War, the railroad, and the late 19th century. The Heritage Center also houses a research library, making it a great resource for those who are interested in genealogy or local history.
If you’re looking for a more active vacation, Junction City has plenty to offer in that department as well. The city’s Parks and Recreation Department maintains over 30 parks, complete with playgrounds, picnic areas, and hiking trails.Nature lovers will especially enjoy the Geary County State Lake, which is situated just outside of town. Here, you can fish, swim, or just relax on the beach. The lake is also a popular spot for bird watching, as it is home to a variety of waterfowl and songbirds.
Junction City is a great destination for a family vacation, a romantic getaway, or even a solo trip. With its many attractions and activities, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Sights in Junction City
Junction City, located in northcentral Kansas, is a historic city with a variety of tourist attractions. The city is best known for its nearby Fort Riley military base, but there is much more to see and do in Junction City. Visitors can explore the city’s history at the Geary County Historical Museum, enjoy the outdoors at the Milford Nature Center, or take a scenic drive on the Flint Hills Scenic Byway. There are also several annual events and festivals that take place in Junction City, including the Spring Fling Festival and the OctoberFest Celebration. Whether you’re interested in history, nature, or just want to enjoy a festive atmosphere, Junction City is the perfect place to visit.
History of Junction City
Junction City is a city in and the county seat of Geary County, Kansas, United States. Located in northcentral Kansas at the junction of Interstate 70 and U.S. Route 77, it is about 180mi west of Kansas City and just south of Hays. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 23,353.
Founded in the spring of 1866, Junction City was a railroad junction point of the Pony Express and the transcontinental railroad. Fort Riley, a major U.S. Army installation, is located just north of the city.
A Gabriel Beattie plaque in front of the historic Geary County Courthouse shows Junction City’s founding. Another plaque on the north side of the courthouse notes the site of the first statement made by a public official announcing the end of the American Civil War: “The War is over, the Union preserved, and freedom vindicated.”
When the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad reached Junction City in August 1866, the town boasted 12 casinos, three breweries, three newspapers, and one stagecoach line. The frontier settlement was then named “Ellsworth” after Colonel A.B. Eldridge, superintendent of construction for the railroad.
Incorporated on July 17, 1868, the city was renamed “Junction City” because of its location at the confluence of the Smoky Hill and Republican rivers. The first post office in Junction City opened in 1867.
In 1887, the Chicago, Kansas and Nebraska Railway built a branch line from Silica (3 miles west of Junction City) to Herington; in 1888 this was extended to Caldwell; later, it was extended to McCook, Nebraska. This completed a link between Omaha and Denver, and helped to bring some passenger traffic to Junction City.
Wartime events included the Great Hanging at Hangman’s Creek in October 1862. It was one of the largest mass executions in U.S. history, with 17 men hanged simultaneously.
The Fort Riley Military Reservation was established in 1853, when territorial governor Samuel Medary signed a treaty with the Kansas tribe, ceding land near the Smoky Hill River to the United States government for a military post. The fort became a regimental post in 1855 and a permanent army installation in 1857. It was first named “Camp Center” until it was renamed “Fort Riley” in honor of Major General Bennett C. Riley who had led the first military escort along the Santa Fe Trail in 1829. The fort was located on the Santa Fe Trail and saw service during the American Civil War, the American Indian Wars, the War of 1812 and the MexicanAmerican War.
During the Civil War, Fort Riley was the site of the Battle of Rio San Gabriel, the last battle of the American Civil War which was fought on January 9,186. As details of General Robert E. Lee’s surrender reached Junction City, two Union generals rode side by side down Fort Riley’s main street, as residents cheered and cannons boomed a 100gun salute. President Andrew Johnson had named Schofield as the commander of the Military Division of the Missouri, which included Fort Riley, in March 1866. When Reconstruction ended in Kansas in 1874, Schofield remained at Fort Riley as the commander of the Department of the Missouri until 1876, when he was promoted to command the Army.
Junction City grew rapidly due to the patronage of the soldiers at Fort Riley. Businesses catering to the soldiers’ needs were established on Manhattan’s main street, which at that time was called Fort Riley Boulevard. In addition to a number of hotels and eating houses, Broadway featured three general stores, two livery stables, two barbershops, a photographer’s studio, and an undertaker. Gambling was also commonplace on the street. When the fort was closed in 1888, Junction City’s population declined sharply. businesses closed and Broadway became deserted.
The city did not regain its vitality until the construction of the Kansas Pacific Railroad through Junction City in 1866. The new rail line brought economic activity and new life to the city. The streets that had been empty suddenly became filled with people and businesses. The city has continued to grow since then, with the help of military installations such as Fort Riley, as well as industry and agriculture.
Today, Junction City is a growing, vibrant community with a diversified economy. The city is home to a number of manufacturing and distribution companies, as well as Fort Riley, which is now a major training ground for the United States Army.
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