In Coffeyville, you can follow the route the Dalton Gang took in 1892 during its attempt to rob two banks at once. This historic trail offers a distinctive way to explore Montgomery: you can connect it with museum collections, Laura Ingalls Wilder’s legacy, and outdoor destinations. Whether you’re more interested in a place’s history, individual exhibits, or landscapes, these different themes offer different perspectives on the region.
Dalton history in Coffeyville
At Dalton Defenders Plaza and in Death Alley, visitors can follow the route the gang took during the attempted robbery. The markers there identify the places where Lucius Baldwin, George Cubine, Charles Brown, and Marshall Connelly were killed during the robbery. The town thus focuses both on the gang’s movements and on individual sites of the event.
Death Alley is also home to the old jail, which features recreations of the Dalton Gang members as they were laid out after their deaths. The Dalton Museum displays memorabilia from the robbery, including court records from Emmett Dalton’s trial. Its collection thus connects the sites in Coffeyville with documents from the legal proceedings.
The Dalton Museum also preserves memorabilia from baseball player Walter Johnson, who lived in Coffeyville. The graves of three members of the Dalton Gang are at Elmwood Cemetery in Coffeyville. These places add other people and memories from the town’s history to the story of the famous robbery.
Museums, architecture, and events
The Little House on the Prairie Museum in Independence preserves Laura Ingalls Wilder’s legacy. The grounds include a replica of the Ingalls family cabin, an old post office, and a schoolhouse with a classroom. The buildings bring different aspects of the way of life portrayed there to life and give the museum visit a tangible connection to Wilder’s family history.
For the 2026 season, the museum is open daily from March through October 31, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can still visit the grounds outside the season, but access to the buildings and gift shop is closed. If you plan to visit later, check the hours for the relevant season.
The entire third floor of Brown Mansion is a ballroom. Tours are offered, and the building is available year-round for private events. If you’re planning a tour, confirm the visitor arrangements before you arrive.
Events have their own history, too: Neewollah began in Independence in 1919 as an alternative to the usual Halloween pranks. Logan Park in Cherryvale hosts the Cherry Blossom Festival and the Cherryvale Youth Fair. Check the event dates if you’d like to include either of these events in your travel plans.
River landscapes and outdoor trails
Riverside Park in Independence was established along the Verdigris River and designed by landscape architect George Kessler. Near Cherryvale, Big Hill Lake is about five miles east of town. It offers public campgrounds, trailheads for horseback riding, and day-use areas; activities listed include hiking, swimming, fishing, and horseback riding.
A 17-mile horseback riding trail also runs along a scenic, wooded ridge at Big Hill Lake. Equestrian facilities include hitching areas and parking. This makes the lake a different kind of outdoor destination from Elk City State Park, where the terrain and loop trail take center stage.
At Elk City State Park, Table Mound is a steep limestone bluff. The Green Thumb Nature Trail is a one-mile loop that begins at the state park campground. The state park is accessible via paved roads.
Discover more destinations: Cherryvale, Independence, Caney, Coffeyville, Chase County, Pratt County, Lyon, Johnson.
For the main travel overview: Kansas.
