Frank Marshall’s ferry across the Blue River was the start of the town of
Marysville. In 1854 Marshall established a post office at his trading post and
named it for his wife. This is the oldest civilian post office in continual
operation in the state. Today Marysville is on two federal highways and one of
the busiest railroad lines in the country. A $50 million railroad relocation
and overpass project, completed in 2006, moved the tracks outside of town and
provided two new bridges.
DOWNTOWN
1. The ‘short block.’ In the 1850's the two towns of Marysville and Palmetto
were laid out side by side, resulting in just half a block between Broadway
and Center (Highway 36). Marysville was south of Center Street and Palmetto
was north. Visitors may be told that one town was pro-slavery and the other
against. Actually both towns were founded by supporters of slavery, although
few or no slaves were ever brought here. The Palmetto settlers soon lost
interest and Palmetto merged with Marysville.
The ‘short block’ is easy to see outside the tourist information office at
10th and Center Streets (Highways 77 and 36). Visitors can also pick up a
brochure and map there for a walking tour of downtown Marysville.
2. Charles Koester House (1873), now a museum. National Register of Historic
Places. Many original furnishings from the late 19th century. Collection of 12
pieces of white bronze statuary. Laura Ingalls Wilder and her family passed
this way in 1894 and she described the lion and dog gates in her journal. Open
in summer Mon.-Sat., 10-4:30, Sun. 1-4. 919 Broadway, 785-562-2417.
Koester Block. National Register of Historic Places. The south Koester House
(1906) was built for Charles Koester’s son. The row of commercial buildings on
the north side of the block includes the 1880 Masonic Hall. Block is bounded
by Broadway, Elm, 9th and 10th Streets.
3. Pusch house, built by cigar maker Charles Pusch in 1904. National Register
of Historic Places. Pusch’s factory across the alley to the north is now the
home of the Marysville Mutual Insurance Co. House is private property;
drive-by only. 10th and Elm Streets.
4. Lee Dam Center for Fine Art. 1903 brick and limestone building, formerly a
Methodist church. Restored in the 1990s, original tin ceilings. Art shows and
classes, scrapbooking classes, rug hooking workshops, family reunions. S. 9th
and Elm Streets. Contact for tours and hours: 785-562-3087.
5. Pony Express Home Station No. 1. National Register of Historic Places. This
1859 stone barn was used to stable the ponies during the 18 months of the Pony
Express, 1860-61. Marysville was the first ‘home station’ west of St. Joseph
(a station where riders as well as horses changed). Museum open April-October
Mon.-Sat. 10-5, Sun. 12-4. 106 S. 8th Street, 785-562-3825.
6. Pony Express statue. Sculpted by Richard Berger in 1984. Had to be moved
from its original site west of town because of the railroad relocation
project. The statue is the centerpiece of a new park downtown at 7th Street
between Broadway and Hwy 36.
7. 9th Street steps. A WPA project in the 1930s. East side of 9th Street at
Carolina.
8. Doll Museum. Dolls from 18th century to the present, also a collection of
authentic Otoe-Missouria Indian artifacts. Open by appointment. 785-562-3029
or 562-3103. 912 Broadway.
9. Historic Courthouse (1891). Built after a previous courthouse on the same
site was destroyed in a suspicious fire. National Register of Historic Places.
The local historical society has a county history museum and genealogical
research library here. Open year-round Mon.-Fri. 1-4 p.m.; also Sat.-Sun. 1-4
p.m. in summer. 1207 Broadway, 785-562-5012,
mchs@bluevalley.net
10. City Park and environs. West side of South 10th Street.
Bommer School. Moved to Marysville from a rural site. Originally painted
white. Open in summer.
Steam engine. Engines like this brought trains into Marysville until the
1950's.
Playground. Built by local volunteers in 2001. Contains play-sized versions of
three historic Marysville buildings.
High school stadium, across 10th Street. Built in 1936 as a WPA project, still
in use.
OUTLYING AREAS
11. Hutchinson house (1872). National Register of Historic Places. French
Second Empire house built by mill owner Perry Hutchinson, whose mill was just
across the highway. In the 1920's the house was used by the Marysville Country
Club, which replaced the front porch with a veranda for open-air dancing. In
2006 the current owners rebuilt the porch to match the original. Private
property. Drive-by only. West out of Marysville on Hwy 36, north on Hwy 77 ½
mile.
12. Trails Park, featuring a full-sized replica of a rope ferry like the one
Frank Marshall used in the 1850's to carry emigrants, soldiers and stagecoach
travelers across the Blue River. Eight trails crossed the river here: the
Oregon, Pike’s Peak and Mormon Trails, the St. Joe Road, the stagecoach,
military and Pony Express routes, and the trail followed by Otoe Indians going
to a reservation in Oklahoma. Take U.S. 77 south out of Marysville. Turn left
immediately after the south overpass onto the levee road and go 1.5 miles.
(The levee road is sometimes closed after heavy rain.) Turn left into park
after going under the west overpass.
13. Marysville Cemetery. 16th Street between Debbie Lane and Park Street.
Main gate and chapel. Both WPA projects in the 1930s, using local limestone.
The chapel was dedicated in 1942 and intended for funeral services, but has
never been used. Union soldier statue in center of cemetery, the first
such monument in Kansas (1885).
14. Vering’s Pumpkin Farm. Melons, pumpkins (miniature to giant), squash,
Indian corn, straw, mums, honey. Open August-October, also in the spring for
asparagus. 1278 Pony Express Hwy, about 2 miles east of Marysville on north
side of highway. 785-562-5273.