Places of Interest
Smith Center offers a wide range of events, from seasonal festivals and sports competitions, to spending time in our local parks, and relaxing with your family for an afternoon of outdoor fun. There are lots of activities to choose from.
Come out and meet your neighbors and enjoy all of the many things that make the City of Smith Center a great place to live!
Smith County Historical Museum consists of 4 buildings that contain an extensive array of artifacts from life in early Smith County. Information on the museum and activities can be found by clicking here.
Wagner Park and the Dutch Mill offer a perfect place to stop for a picnic, enjoy the playground equipment, shoot some hoops, hold a family gathering or enjoy the scenery from the gazebo. The Dutch Mill was built in 1883. Corn, graham, and wheat flour were processed until 1920. In 1938, the mill was moved to its current location. The mill remained in near original state until 1955 when a fire destroyed much of the interior. Then interior was refinished and is now used as a gathering place for meetings, family functions, class reunions and more.
The Veterans Memorial can be found at the Smith County Courthouse lawn. Dedicated in 2003, this tribute is paved with bricks bearing the names of veterans and loved ones. Landscaping around the memorial is maintained by county staff.
Ingleboro Mansion has quite a history in Smith Center. The mansion now serves as a Bed & Breakfast. Ingleboro was built by J.R. Burrow at the end of the 19th century, and covered what is now considered an entire city block. The property included a running stream, gazebo, deer, and peacocks. The original house had 12 large rooms aside from the halls, bathroom complete with running hot and cold water, closets, and alcoves. In the early 1920's the house was purchased by Dr. Funk and turned into a hospital until 1951. http://www.ingleboromansion.com
Two Westchester Deluxe Lustron Steel Homes, on the National Historic Register, can be found at 214 and 216 Park Street. These steel homes were the brainchild of Carl Strandlund, a Chicago Engineer.
Higley Cabin was the homestead of Dr. Brewster M. Higley when he wrote the words to the song "Home on the Range" in 1872. The cabin is located 9 miles north of the highway 36 and highway K8 junction. Enjoy the creek and walking trails while visiting the cabin. For more information, click here.
Geographical Center of the United States June 29, 1941, the citizens of Lebanon unveiled their permanent monument at the center of the contiguous United States. The monument is located one mile north of Lebanon, KS and one mile west on highway 191. For more information, click here.
Little Miss Liberty stands on a hill 10 miles south of Smith Center on US-281. This statue was dedicated in 1951 by the Smith County Boy Scout Troops.
A battle was fought at the forks of Beaver Creek, approximately 3.5 miles southwest of Smith Center between the Pawnee, Delaware, and Omaha Indians on onse side and the Cheyenne, Comanche, Arapahos, and Apaches on the other. A marker is on the west side of the road atop a small hill , just off of M Road.
Historic Homes Walking Tour features 15 historic Smith Center homes as well as the 1883 Dutch Mill and the 1920's Courthouse. A booklet is available for purchase at the Chamber of Commerce office.
Sports enthusiasts will want to drive down Roger Barta Way to see Hubbard Stadium, home of the Smith Center Redment and subject of acclaimed author Joe Drape's book, "Our Boys".
Hunting and Fishing enthusiasts can enjoy their sport throughout Smith County. Several hunting lodge accommodations throughout the county cater to those looking for a unique experience, including the ability to hunt private land.
Fun Facts
- Ellen Watson aka "Cattle Kate", was married to Will Pickel in the late 1800's and lived seven miles north of Lebanon.
- Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle was born on the outskirts of Smith Center in 1887. He worked in the motion picture business and starred in several old time comedies. He later directed movies under the alias William Goodrich.
- Erin Brockovich's father graduated from Smith Center High School in 1942.
- Cromwell Dixon, "America's Boy Aeronaut", was hired by the Smith County Fair Board to fly his sky-cycle at the fair in August of 1911. Dixon died in October of that year during one of his stunt exhibitions in Washington State.
