photo by: File photo

Ryan Steiner, 4, left and his twin brothers Zach and Cole, 6, have their photograph taken by their father, Chad Steiner, Overland Park, in front of Thomas the Tank Engine at the Midland Railway in Baldwin City, May 30, 2009.

Why go there?

Baldwin City’s history of welcoming visitors extends back to the earliest days of its settlement in southern Douglas County.

The city sits astride the Santa Fe Trail, a frontier freeway first traveled in 1824. It was on the trail that the settlement of Palmyra sprang up on a watering hole with a hotel, harness shop, tavern, blacksmith and two doctors serving the needs of those making the long trip back and forth to New Mexico. A post office was recognized in 1857.

photo by: File photo

Thomas the Tank Train is returning to Baldwin City this June and bringing friend, Percy. Rides will be available on trains behind both engines on Midland Railways line the first two full weekends in June in Baldwin City.

In 1858, a group of Methodist ministers meeting in Palmyra saw the need for a college in Kansas Territory, a decision that led to the founding of Baker University to the south of the settlement. When the Palmyra townsite shifted to near a new center of activity near the school, Baldwin City was born.

Visitors to Baldwin City today will find a city of about 4,500. Century-old homes and the community’s signature maple trees line brick streets at its historic core while residential neighbors have sprung up beyond.

What to see there:

The main downtown intersection of Eighth and High streets offers quick access to the Baldwin City Chamber of Commerce Office, which is located in the Lumberyard Arts Center, 718 High St. There, visitors will find plentiful written materials on local attractions.

The downtown is home to Mexican and Chinese restaurants, a coffee and sandwich shop and the Baldwin Academy of Dance and Voice, which offers noon and evening sandwiches and salads. The Baker campus is a block to the north. There are additional shopping and dining opportunities on U.S. Highway 56.

The Lumberyard Arts Center has a regular rotation of arts shows in its gallery, open Tuesday through Saturday. The Lumberyard also sponsors monthly art walks, starting the third Friday in June and continuing through September. The evenings include musical entertainment, crafts and art vendors and a special activity, such as a cupcake decorating contest, in the arts center.

The chamber will sponsor a June 18 daylong car show on downtown streets.

photo by: File photo

A brass band plays last June at a small park in Baldwin City during a downtown art walk. The Lumberyard Arts Center will again sponsor the art walks the third Friday of June, July, August and September.

Maple Leaf Festival:

Timed each year to coincide with the peak fall foliage displays of the city’s many maple trees the third full weekend of October, the Maple Leaf Festival annually draws more than 30,000 people. The big attraction in the Saturday and Sunday craft show that brings more than 300 vendors from as far away as New York. Other festival features include a parade, quilt show, carnival, musical entertainment and petting zoo.

Living transportation history:

In 1867, the Leavenworth, Lawrence and Fort Gibson railroad pushed south from Lawrence to Ottawa. It provided a vital transportation link for decades before service ended in the late 1970s. However, the section from Baldwin City’s old depot at 1515 High St. south to Norwood and Ottawa survives as the excursion nonprofit Midland Railway. It has become one of Baldwin City’s biggest tourist attractions, drawing 24,000 visitors annually.

Three years ago, the Kansas Belle Dinner Train started offering rides on the Midland line. Passengers ride in reconditioned 1940s era passenger cars on Saturday and Sunday. Passengers have the choice of riding in cars in which the experience and scenery are the main attractions or those offering meals and entertainment. Ticket information and menus can be found at kansasbelle.com.

Midland Railway continues to offer Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday rides from the first weekend in May through October. No meals will be served, but Sunday passengers will be treated to free ice cream. Ticket information can be found at midlandrailway.org.

Things to do with kids:

Midland Railway’s biggest weekends are those when the full-sized facsimile of Thomas the Tank Train visits. This year Thomas will be joined by his friend Percy, a green saddle tank engine. The two engines will be in Baldwin City the weekends of June 3, 4 and 5 and June 10, 11 and 12. Again, ticket information can be found at midlandrailway.org.

Exploring the past:

The Black Jack Battlefield is 3 miles east of Baldwin City, just south of U.S. Highway 56 on East 2000 Road. Visitors can take self-guided walking tours of the battlefield, where the abolitionist forces of John Brown faced off against the pro-slavery militia of Henry Pate. A walk and talk will be available on the battle’s June 2 anniversary, beginning at the actual 4:45 a.m. start time of the battle.

Across the road from the battlefield, visitors can view deep ruts dug by wagons on the Santa Fe Trail.

Also of historical interest is the Quayle Bible Collection housed in Baker University’s Collins Library. The collection, pieced together by former Baker University President Bishop William Quayle, is probably best known for its two original King James Bibles but contains other rare manuscripts, religious texts and artifacts that reflect Qualye’s wide interests. To make an appointment to view the collection, call 785-595-8414.

Also on the Baker campus is Osborne Chapel. Once located in Sproxton, England, the limestone chapel was disassembled, transferred and rebuilt in 1996 on the Baldwin City campus. The chapel is open to visitors most days the university is open and tours for 10 or more can be scheduled by calling 785-594-4553.

Artifacts from Baldwin City, Methodist and Baker history can be viewed by appointment at the Old Castle Museum, 511 Fifth St. Near the building are reproductions of the old Palmyra general store and post office and Kibbee Cabin, in which the decision to found Baker was made. To make an appointment to tour the museum, call 785-594-8380.

A trolley ride leaving at 10:30 a.m. Saturdays from The Lodge, 502 Ames St., visits Baker, Black Jack, the Santa Fe Depot and other historic sites.