Sunday, October 25, 2009

Kaw Mission State Historic Site & Museum




We were unable to tour the museum but the grounds surrounding the Mission are beautiful.  The Mission sits very near the Neosho River and can also be reached by the Neosho River Walk.



The Kaw Indians were relocated to the Neosho River Valley in 1848.  The Mission was operated by the Methodists who were funded by the U.S. government.



The school was an attempt to educate Kaw children and mold their thinking.  It was an attempt  influence the Kaw to give up their semi-nomad, hunting lifestyle and become fixed Christian farmers.



At best, the school only averaged around 30 students who were mostly orphans and dependents of the tribe.  In addition, the teacher did not speak the Kaw language and had to use an interpreteur.



The Mission school was only in operation from 1851-1854. 



The state of Kansas takes its name from the Kaw or Kansa Indian tribe.

Council Oak



According to a Council Grove brochure I picked up in town, a council was held under this tree on August 10, 1825.  The council was attended by three U.S. Commissioners and the Osage Indians who signed a treaty resulting in free passage along the Santa Fe Trail through Osage territory in return for $800.00.



Once, this tree was part of a grove of trees that provided shade, shelter and wood for wagon repairs on the Santa Fe Trail. The tree blew down in 1958, when the tree was approximately 70 feet tall and measured 16 feet around.  Today, you can still visit the stump which also has it's own roof and a fence to keep out vandals and souvenir seekers.

Custer Elm




The sign says it all...



 A small roof has been built over the remains of the tree to protect it...



Another view...



Up close and personal...



The elm measured over 100 feet tall and 16 feet around...

The Cottage House Hotel and Bed & Breakfast



During our visit, we stayed at the Cottage House Hotel Bed and Breakfast.



The Cottage house contains some unique architure such as these rounded porches.



I liked the crinkled foil background of the Cottage House Sign.



The Cottage House reminded me more of a Victorian mansion.



Notice the wooden slat roof and gliders on the shiny green floored porch.



Adirondack chairs under a stained glass window await you.



A curved walkway hugs the building.



A wrought iron fence adds to the ambiance.



Small cottages sit facing the side of the Hotel.



Cute cottages with hanging plants, wooden screen doors and picket fences.



Metal Motel Chairs all in a row.



A close up of the wooden shingles on the gazebo.  The detail in the shingle pattern and the finial are amazing.



A side view of the hotel complete with bay windows.



I loved the moss on the roof of the gazebo.



The facing gliders invite conversation and lemonade.



We opted for the "Honeymoon" suite which included this second story porch.



Another view of the porch where it was relaxing to sit and drink
 a glass of wine as we watched the world pass by.



The lobby where you check in.



The heavy oak stairs leading upstairs to our room.



Stained glass backlit by the sun on the landing.



It's easy to image it's 1929, not 2009.



The hallway with tin paneling along the walls leading back to our room.



The hotel left a rose on our bed...



in honor of our 27th wedding anniversary.



Our Victorian style room.



Wooden screen door leading to our outside porch.



Our view included the cottages below.



The view from above. The gaslight was lovely at night.




The wicker furniture was surprisingly comfortable.



I just liked this pictuer of a striped chair and stained glass window.



Our suite also contained a small sitting room.



A final view of the double gliders. The Neosho River flows just beyond the dyke in the distance. 
The River walk is easliy from distance to the Hotel.