In addition to all the great fossils and folk art created with fossils found in our area, we currently have on display the Oakley 7th grade “Warhol” artwork along with a great snowflake collection.  AND - Kids can come out on Thursday afternoons after school for the weekly scavenger hunt held at the museum.

If you haven’t visited the museum – now’s the time.  There is a great display of history about the Smoky Hill Trail and a sod house.  See how the pioneers who came west traveled and lived as they made their way from the east.

More wild west history can be found just a few blocks away at the Buffalo Bill Cabin and site of the twice life-size bronze sculpture of Buffalo Bill Cody on his horse in pursuit of a buffalo.  It is here in Logan County where William Cody earned his name “Buffalo Bill” in the 1868 legendary hunt with William Comstock.  Stop in the gift shop to visit or pick up a book about Buffalo Bill or Annie Oakley.

Take a ride on the Christmas Wonderland Express

Feeding Santa's Reindeer!

Come take a ride on the Christmas Wonderland Express!  Bring the whole family to see Santa, feed the reindeer, and much much more!  Open Friday & Saturday 6pm-10pm & open Sunday 6pm-9pm.

Visit Salina Staff

Come to Salina and celebrate the holiday season! Listen to the Salina Symphony Performance “Christmas Festival” at the Stiefel Theatre on December 17^th or drive-thru the Christmas Light Show at the Yesteryear Museum open December 2-18.  You could also be entertained at the Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre at Martinelli’s Little Italy performance “Bah Humbug I’m Dead”. The Salina Community Theatre brings “Santaland Diaries” on December 23 and 26. Bring in the New Year with The Last Dance from The Last National Band at the Salina Bicentennial Center on December 31.

Come visit historical western Kansas and experience the rustic charm of the Logan House Hotel located in Russell Springs along the “Western Vistas Historic Byway.”

The historical Logan House Hotel was built in 1887 to help establish the incorporated town of Russell Springs and to house the construction workers building the Logan County courthouse.  The nine room hotel is the perfect venue for family reunions, birthday parties, women’s gatherings (quilters, crafters, scrap bookers), or those wanting to remember what the simple life was like in a small, turn of the century, midwestern  town.  As one regular guest describes, “you make your own bed and cook your own breakfast”.  So, shop ahead, stock up the fridge and then relax in the rocking chairs on the covered, wraparound porch. Across the street from the hotel is Porter Park with large open areas for recreation.  There is a 9 hole disc golf course at the park and hookups for RV’s.

In the fall and winter hunters can take advantage of the great hunting opportunities in western Kansas and everyone will enjoy the ambiance of the western decor.  If you’re up early enough, you may see turkey or deer crossing the road.  Take a leisurely drive several miles from town for a truly great wildlife viewing experience.  See golden eagles, prairie dogs, antelope, deer, hawks, turkey and vultures.

Russell Springs is also home to the Butterfield Trail Museum. The Butterfield Overland Despatch was the stagecoach route between Atchison and Denver in the 1860s. The museum building was the Logan County courthouse from 1887-1963. In 1965, the building was dedicated as the Butterfield Trail Historical Museum.  The museum is open May through Labor Day.

Visit Russell Springs in June for Old Settlers Day and the annual Butterfield Trail Ride.

Portions of this posting were reprinted from the Logan House website  homepage.

The day kicks off with the Annual Christmas Bazaar sponsored by the Trego County Home-Based Business Association.   The bazaar is from 10am – 5pm at the Trego County Fairgrounds.

Then the festivities move downtown.   At 5 pm enjoy the Soup Supper at the VFW Hall as well as the Living Nativity in the Courthouse Square.   At 6 pm gather round the magnificent 35-ft tall tree and enjoy Christmas carols.   Santa Claus will soon arrive to light the tree and all the other decorations.   Next Santa will head over to the North Pole Park where he will be joined by Mrs. Claus.   Mr. and Mrs. Claus will visit with all the children and hand out special treats.   Throughout the evening enjoy horse drawn wagon rides and shopping in the downtown stores.

This annual tradition is considered the largest Christmas tree and lighting display between Kansas City and Denver.   Come and relive your childhood memories or make new ones!

It’s a BIG weekend coming up in Salina and you don’t want to miss out!  Shop to your heart’s content at our annual See N Sell Craft Show, Saturday at the Bicentennial Center.  The Stiefel Theatre presents “Get the Led Out”, Friday November 18.  Salina’s premier holiday event, the 11th Annual Christmas Festival on Saturday, November 19^th begins at 8am with several events including the Frosty 5k, Merry Mile Walk/Run, and Santa Sprint.  The kid in everyone will enjoy the Toy Train exhibit, children’s art at the Salina Art Center, the Children’s Holiday Parade, cookies with Mrs. Claus, antique fire truck rides, carriage rides, and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus!   More family entertainment awaits throughout the day, from fun at the Stiefel Theatre to a Live Nativity.  The perfect finale to the festival will be the 19^th Annual Miracle on Santa Fe Parade of Lights.  Ready for more?  Tickets are on sale NOW for Chris Isaak performing at the Stiefel Theatre at 8pm Saturday night.  This is a great weekend to Visit Salina!
For a schedule of events downtown, click here!

"Morning Frost"

Thomas has made a career of painting the subtle beauty of nature and history of the old west.  His works can be seen at The Jerry Thomas Gallery located at the El Quartelejo Museum in Scott City, KS.

Jerry Thomas

Portions of this article have been reprinted from Scott City Jerry Thomas Gallery brochure – The El Quartelejo Museum is located at 902 West 5th Street, Scott City, KS  67871.  620-872-5912