In Coronado's Footsteps
Learn how the Rice County community
discovered and preserved its fascinating past.
Mission Statement
In Coronado's Footsteps
Learn how the Rice County community
discovered and preserved its fascinating past.
Mission Statement
Exhibit Highlights
Francisco Vázquez de Coronado
Francisco Vázquez de Coronado
Francisco Vázquez de Coronado
Spanish conquistador who visited
Rice County in 1541
Quivira
Francisco Vázquez de Coronado
Francisco Vázquez de Coronado
Ancestors of today’s Wichita tribe living
in Rice County from 1425 to 1700
Santa Fe Trail
Francisco Vázquez de Coronado
Santa Fe Trail
Wagons passed along the Santa Fe Trail
through Rice County from 1821 to 1871
Also explore the early days of Rice County
In 1871, the AT&SF Railroad and the state of Kansas organized Rice County. Settlers claimed land along either side of the AT&SF right-of-way that the railroad had been given to build its line westward. Many came from Scandinavia, Germany and the Volga area of Russia. Today, Rice County's economy is based primarily on agriculture and, to a lesser degree, oil, manufacturing, and other commerce. Artifacts pertaining to Rice County can be found in our lower level by our research library.
