Native Stone Scenic Byway

Goal: $10,000.00

Specific Need

Bi-annual Historic Stone Fence Workshops (3 day workshop, Spring/Fall)

Fish Wizards ID 2 day event

Kiosk mapping update

Printing Brochures

Banner to be used for display at events

Mission

The Mission of the "Native Stone Scenic Byway" is to showcase the beauty and diversity of this area in Kansas and in so doing, preserve our history, our culture and our environment while enhancing local economic growth through tourism.

Profile

The Native Stone Scenic Byway is the outcome of several communities working together to foster economic growth in their rural towns and a sense of pride for those living and working in the area. The byway is easily accessed traveling north from I-70 at the Manhattan Exit 313 onto K-177 Highway, or south at the Auburn Road Exit 353 onto K-4 Highway.

The byway exists due to the twisting, winding creeks and roadways, agriculture, rich historical value of Bleeding Kansas and the uderground railroad, cattle ranches, vast prairie vistas, historical stone fences and structures, the rolling Flint Hills region, seasonal foliage and wildflowers. Much of the roadway, having been created by early pioneers, follows the lay of the land. It stretches 75 miles along highways K-177, K-18, K-99, K-4 and passes through the communities of Zeandale, Wabaunsee, Alma, Eskridge, Lake Wabaunsee, Keene and Dover.

Incorporated cities of Eskridge and Alma, as well as Riley, Geary, Wabaunsee and Shawnee Counties, have signed resolutions acknowledging the importance of the byway.

We have turn-outs for viewing the landscape and signage has been provided with information about community events, businesses, lodging, historical landmarks, history and natural scenery of the area. Preservation of stone houses, barns, bridges, fences and supporting walls is a priority. Residents are encouraged to use stone to build more fences, to accentuate landscaping elements and to mark driveways.

We attend local events to help promote the communities, the byway and the region. We have bi-annual historic stone fence workshops and will be hosting our 29th workshop this October.

The byway is promoted through the Kansas Byways Program and the Kansas Department of Commerce. Color brochures depicting scenes along the byway are stocked in travel information centers, state tourism offices, museums, county Economic Development offices and local convention and visitor's bureaus, as well as, on the TravelKs and Kansas Byways websites and several social media sources.