St. Marys: Mission and Oregon Trail – Find Vacation Rentals

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Pure Luxury

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Tatjana Herzegova, Kiew, Ukraine

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Sustainable Travel

“There is only one earth and we should go out and see it. I like hotels, which look for sustainability. It is not only protecting the ecology, but also taking care for the local business and culture. I recommend the medal for eco accomodation. Let’s protect our earth. Sustainable travel is travelling with responsibility.”

Markus Lenk, Düsseldorf, Germany

Several distinct themes come together in St. Marys: the history of St. Mary's Mission and the Oregon Trail, the landscape of the Kaw River Valley, and religious sites and cultural events. For planning, it helps to keep these highlights separate: Would you like to explore the mission’s history, see the trail paintings in the park, or plan your trip around an event?

Mission, School, and Pay Station

St. Mary's Mission served the Potawatomi tribe on the Oregon Trail as a mission and school. It also housed the pay station of the Potawatomi Indian Agency. At the pay station building, members of Indigenous tribes received annual government payments based on earlier treaties. This connects the mission’s educational role with its historical function as a place for treaty-based payments.

The St. Marys Indian Pay Station Museum Complex presents information about life in the early years of St. Marys Mission. This brings different perspectives on the area’s history together: the roles of the mission and pay station, as well as life during the mission’s early years.

Oregon Trail and Parks

Oregon Trail Nature Park lies on the northern edge of the Kaw River Valley. Near St. Marys, the Oregon Trail runs through the park. Trail paintings help visitors imagine the historical setting. This connects the trail to the park’s landscape; the paintings provide a tangible aid for imagining the historical scene.

Riverside Park offers different amenities: a walking path, RV hookups, and a campground. Facilities may change, so check the current status before planning your visit. A 9-hole disc golf course was also built there in 2019. If you’re considering it for a specific game, check beforehand whether it is currently open for use.

Religious History and Events

Immaculate Conception is the oldest parish in the Archdiocese of Kansas City, Kansas, dating back to 1848. The Immaculata was dedicated in May 2023 and is the largest Catholic church in Kansas. A rosary is held at the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes and St. Bernadette on the first Saturday of every month. Since times may change, check the current schedule before planning your visit.

The Flint Hills Shakespeare Festival takes place in Saint Marys. It features an outdoor Shakespeare performance with local actors; the festival also includes a village of vendor booths in the woods. If you’re planning your trip around the festival, check the specific event dates for your travel period.

The Old World Christkindlmarkt on the festival grounds is a Christmas market that follows a centuries-old European tradition, primarily German and partly French. If you’re planning a visit around Christmas, check the market dates. The Shakespeare performance and Christmas market offer two distinct cultural experiences, and their respective dates may influence when you travel.

Getting to Know St. Marys

St. Marys is located in Pottawatomie and Wabaunsee counties between Manhattan and Topeka; US-24 provides a road reference for orientation. Discover more destinations: Wamego

For the broader travel overview: Pottawatomie County.

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