CITY OF CANTON
Attractions
Stars and Stripes Military Museum
The Stars and Stripes Military Museum is located at 104 W. Allen Street and houses memorabilia from all military branches. It is open on all patriotic and military holidays or by appointment. The museum is run solely on donations and with all volunteer help and continues to accept loaned or donated items that they display with honor.
Call (620) 628-4484 for additional information or an appointment to tour.
Canton Township Carnegie Library
The Canton Township Carnegie Library is located at 203 N. Main Street.
Monday 10:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Tuesday 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday 10:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Thursday 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Friday 10:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Sunday Closed
This historically preserved structure was built in 1921 with Carnegie Foundation funds. It was the last Carnegie Library to be built and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1987.
Maxwell Wildlife Refuge
Known as Maxwell Wildlife Refuge, this unique area located six miles north of Canton possesses one of the finest herds of buffalo in the United States, along with elk and other wild game, birds and wildflowers.
The Maxwell Game Preserve which opened to the public in 1951 was established because of a provision in the will of the late Henry Irving Maxwell dictating that the bulk of his estate be used for the benefit of the public. He instructed the handler of his property to buy not less than three nor more than six sections of land, suitably improve it and stock it with buffalo, antelope and deer, prairie chicken and quail. Mr. Maxwell's will also stipulated that the proposed game preserve be under the control of the government; therefore, it is under the jurisdiction of the Fish and Game Commission of the State of Kansas.
Contact (620) 628-4455 for tour and other information.
Prairie Trail Scenic Byway
The Prairie Trail Scenic Byway is Kansas' ninth designated scenic byway. The 80 mile route begins at the south edge of Canton, home of the HOT and COLD watertowers, Stars and Stripes Military Museum and other unique attractions, and continues north into the Smoky Hills to Roxbury. Along the way travelers can view Twin Mounds and Battle Hill Knobs. The byway heads west from Roxbury past the Olive Springs School House Gallery of artist Maleta Forsburg then west until the roadway ends at Old U.S. 81. By following the byway north to Lindsborg, one can visit the many art galleries and museums before continuing west on K4 through Marquette , home of the Kansas Motorcycle Museum. From Marquette the byway follows K4 to K-141 north to the Kanopolis State Park Reservoir and Mushroom Rock State Park. From Ellsworth the Byway continues north on K-156 to I70.
The extraordinary panoramic scenes and the changing seasons along the Prairie Trail Scenic Byway are, indeed, a traveler and photographer's delight.
Old Canton Jail
The Canton Jail, formerly known as the 'Canton Prison' was built in 1883 and is located at 106 W. Allen. According to Ordinance #33 published in the Canton Carrier May 24, 1883, the old jail was to be built at a cost not to exceed $ 85.00 with dimensions of 8' x 10'. It was to be used as a city prison.
The building was restored in 1993 and continues to be maintained by the Friends of Canton, a local nonprofit organization consisting of volunteers dedicated to the preservation of history and the betterment of Canton.