Kinsley, a small but extremely interesting town in Kansas, calls itself “Midway USA” i.e. the town located in the middle of America. And this is not just a claim—it is a geographical fact. Kinsley is located exactly in the middle of New York and San Francisco, equidistant from both cities by 1,561 miles. This fact is indicated through a large signboard at the US-50/56 junction on the western edge of town, where the Edwards County Historical Society Museum is located. The museum is not only open for free tours, but also houses many items of historical importance such as an old locomotive engine, farm implements and animal husbandry equipment.
US-50, the main route through the area, runs parallel to the Santa Fe Railway’s main line. East of Dodge City, the route passes through 50 miles of flat and open Kansas cornfields. Upon reaching Kinsley, the route turns into US-56, formerly known as “US-50 North.” The route follows the historic Santa Fe Trail, which played a vital role in America’s history during the era of trade and expansion.
Fort Larned: A Living Example of the Wild West
Fort Larned National Historic Site, located about 6 miles west of US-56 via Hwy-156, is a fine and well-preserved example of America’s “Wild West” era. The fort was established in 1859 and for nearly 20 years it protected travelers traveling the Santa Fe Trail. US soldiers were stationed here to protect travelers from potential attacks, especially by the local Arapaho and Cheyenne tribes.
The fort also became a key center in the Indian Wars of the 1860s. But as the trail fell into disuse, the fort was decommissioned in 1878. It was then sold to private ownership and converted into a ranch, but was recognized as a historic landmark in the 1960s and carefully restored by the National Park Service.
Today, Fort Larned’s sandstone buildings, replaced by clay brick ones after the Civil War, surround a 400-square-foot parade ground. Rooms within these buildings are furnished to reflect the era—whether it’s the soldiers’ barracks, the blacksmith shop, or a huge storage room.
The setting, though presented from the U.S. Army’s perspective, is a wonderful window into the frontier lifestyle and struggles of the time.
Santa Fe Trail Center: History Comes to Life
The Santa Fe Trail Center (admission $6), located between Fort Larned and US-56, is a private nonprofit museum focused on the history of the entire trail area. The center dramatizes the historic significance of the Santa Fe Trail.
The diorama-like exhibit hall features full-size models of ox carts, frontier trading posts, and lifestyles. A sod house and a one-room schoolhouse are preserved behind the main building. These spaces not only provide visitors with a visual experience, but also give them a glimpse into the hardships and conditions of life at the time.
Pawnee Rock: Historic Monument of the Santa Fe Trail
Pawnee Rock, located about 9 miles northeast of Larned, just north of US-56 and the Arkansas River, was once an important landmark on the Santa Fe Trail. This massive 60-foot-high Dakota sandstone rock was a major guiding point for travelers.
But alas, over time much of the rock has been quarried away—sometimes to build houses, sometimes to lay railroad tracks. It now resembles a raised hill. Still, the short trail to the top is still open and offers spectacular views of the surrounding plains. The experience is proof of how history, whether hidden beneath soil or in stone, still speaks volumes today.
Conclusion: A walk through history, a time travel experience
The historic sites of Kinsley, Fort Larned and the surrounding area not only offer a glimpse into America’s “Wild West” era, but also teach how trails, wars, culture and geography combine to form the identity of a nation.
This place is especially for those who want to experience history on the ground, not just in books. The museums, forts, trail centers and natural sites here still bring alive the footprints of the past, which require not only eyes but also a curious mind and the power of imagination to see.
If you ever plan a trip to Kansas, do visit this historic land of “Midway USA”—it will be an experience you will never forget in your lifetime.