A one-story limestone schoolhouse dating from the winter of 1881–1882, the Lion Block built in 1887, and fishing opportunities at Goodman State Fishing Lake give Ness County several distinct sides. In Ness City, museums and architectural history take center stage; at the lake, fishing and visitor facilities are the focus. There are also memorial sites, a steel sculpture and scenic drives. As you plan, explore which of these varied themes you want to shape your stay.
Architecture and Museums in Ness City
The Ness County Museum is located at 123 Pennsylvania Avenue in Ness City, Kansas. It is open Thursdays and Fridays from 1 to 4 p.m. or by appointment. Check the address and opening hours before setting out. Construction of the current limestone building began in 1899, carried out by George Hunt & Sons.
The School House Museum is also in the center of Ness City, on Highway 96. The one-story limestone schoolhouse was completed in the winter of 1881–1882. The Lion Block, built in 1887, is an example of Italianate commercial architecture. Known as the “Skyscraper of the Plains,” the building was constructed for the Ness County Bank, founded by N.C. Merrill in 1885. The Ness County Oil & Ag Museum complements these subjects with objects related to early cattle ranching and the history of oil. Together, they offer a look at everything from education and commercial architecture to ranching and oil.
Memorial Sites and Regional History
The county’s history also includes sites connected to particular events and people. Indian Village on Pawnee Fork is associated with the Hancock Expedition and the ensuing conflict, often called Hancock’s War. The Historic Cenotaph commemorates John O’Brien, a local man who died at the Battle of the Little Bighorn in 1876. The Hilltop Crosses date from 1940 and were a project of the churches of Bazine.
WPA-era buildings also vary in style and materials. The Bazine WPA Building is a municipal building constructed in 1936 from locally quarried limestone. The Beeler WPA School was also built by the WPA in 1936 and is in the Tudor Revival style. Three buildings remain from a Model Stock Farm dating to around 1900, built from native limestone. The George Washington Carver Homestead Site is about one mile south of Beeler and is privately owned; confirm whether access is possible before your visit.
Fishing and Scenery
Goodman State Fishing Lake and Wildlife Area is five miles south and 2.5 miles east of Ness City. The lake has picnic shelters, a boat ramp and restroom facilities. Fish species include largemouth bass, channel catfish, bluegill and redear sunfish. Check current road conditions and facilities before visiting; water conditions and fishing regulations can change.
The drive to the sculpture on Indian Hill takes you through the Ness County landscape. Landowner Warren Sherwin commissioned local artist Brad Dinges to create a steel sculpture depicting a horse with an Indigenous rider. Scenic drives and stone bridges dating from the 1930s are among the scenic highlights of Ness County.
Planning Highlights
When choosing your accommodations, you can plan your days around the discoveries you want to make: buildings and museums in Ness City, fishing and visitor facilities at Goodman State Fishing Lake, or a scenic drive with Indian Hill as your art destination. These options offer different experiences and give you concrete starting points for searching for a vacation rental and planning your time in Ness County.
Discover more destinations: Ness City, Nemaha County, Sherman County, Kiowa County, Cloud County, Russell County, Dickinson County, Phillips County.
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