Ag Heritage Tour

2021 Douglas County Kaw Valley Farm Tour Heritage Sites
The heritage sites tour was added to the Kaw Valley Farm Tour in 2017 to provide a deeper understanding of the rich agricultural heritage of the area and to showcase historic buildings that were and continue to be part of the cultural fabric of Kansas. This tour is coordinated by the Douglas County Heritage Conservation Council and the Douglas County Heritage Office which work to ensure the conservation of Douglas County’s natural and cultural resources.

The Vinland Village is an unincorporated community south of Lawrence and north of Baldwin City. The historic character of the area is due to the long term efforts of local preservationists and generations of families who call the valley “home”. We hope you enjoy your visit!

Ag Heritage Tour

Clearfield Schoolhouse
2162 N 600 Road Eudora

The Clearfield Community began in 1850swhen Fredrick Breitaupt came as a young man from Germany to settlein this area of Douglas County in 1854. As other Germans arrived, a settlementformed. A school was established by the immigrants who taught in German. The Clearfield Schoolhaus building is the 2ndschoolhouse to serve school district 5, and was originally built in 1900 a mile east, then moved toits current location in 1908. The school is a wood-frame, rectangle building with wood clapboard siding. It features a front gable roof and is built on a stone foundation. Two entrances with vestibules provided separate spaces for the boys and the girls. The intact interior features wood floors, plaster walls, wainscoting, chalkboards, and a tin ceiling. The teacher’s desk was placed on a raised platform. Two WPA privies (built during the Great Depression in the 1930s) still stand behind the school.
Local interpreters greet visitors 9 to 6 Saturday and 1-5 on Sunday donations for maintenance always appreciated!

Barnes Farmhouse and Apple Barn at 714 E 1728 Road, Vinland

This historic farmstead was owned by Vinland co-founder, William Eliot Barnes (1832-1925). In 1856, Barnes purchased 160 acres, established the Coal Creek Nursery, and started what is believed to be the first vineyard in Kansas. View the historic stone apple barn and beautiful landscape overlooking the Vinland Valley. Local interpreters will greet visitors.

Vinland Grange Hall at the corner of Oak and Main Streets Vinland

Built in 1884 of native limestone, the Vinland Grange was designed with an upper meeting hall over a main level business space that usually housed a cooperative farm store. Explore this unique historic site complete with a Sanitary WPA privy! Local interpreters greet visitors. This historic site is owned & operated by the Santa Fe Trail Historical Society of Douglas County.

Vinland Cemetery

history
Commemorating its sesquicentennial! The Vinland Cemetery Association was established in 1872. Lots were sold for $10. In 1922 the charming shelter house was built by Charles Olson and F.L. Varnum financed the gate-way in memory of his parents. The Association has prepared a walking tour for the public to share the history of notable people buried here.

Baldwin City Pioneer Cemetery

This very old Baldwin Pioneer Cemetery, dating from before Kansas Statehood, contains approximately 200 marked graves. A charter was issued Feb. 3, 1858 to the Kansas Educational Association of the Methodist Episcopal Church for the founding of Baker University, the sale of city lots, and the establishment of a cemetery. The cemetery was platted in 1864 with the center road named Mount Vernon Avenue. The cedar trees lining the center road were a gift of Dr. W.D. Martin, who purchased a lot in 1865 and was President of the cemetery company in 1880. The gate posts were erected in 1954. The cemetery received conservation work in 2020. The site includes a native Kansas prairie.

Wells Overlook Park
located ¾ mile east of US 59 on the south side of County Road 458 (N 1000 Road)

Land for this unique park was donated to Douglas County in 1971 by William Wells. The park includes a lookout tower and the Passerine Pavilion - a handicapped accessible viewing platform that provides a panoramic overlook of the historic Wakarusa River Valley. Interpretive panels point out sites to the east and north. Bring your binoculars!

Reynolds Barn & Cellar
571 E 1000 Road, Baldwin City

The Reynolds Barn is an example of late 19th or early 20th century multi-purpose barn. Located in Willow Springs Township near the old Santa Fe Trail, the barn is a wood frame structure with vertical siding. The barn’s features include a gable roof, hay hood, a milking parlor, and lightning rods. This historic barn is under restoration. The farmstead includes a food storage cellar.

Kaw Valley Farm Tour | Farms Open to the Public | Always the First Full Weekend in October

   K-State Research and Extension—Douglas County
   2110 Harper St
   Lawrence KS 66046-3242
   Phone: 785-843-7058 | Fax: 785-843-6745
   E-mail: lashuck@ksu.edu