1885 “Frisco” Wooden Water Tower
Beaumont, Kansas
Today “to our knowledge” this tower is the last remaining Frisco built wooden water tower of its kind in the USA.
Built in 1885 by the Frisco railroad, the tower provided water for many uses. Steam locomotive power, stationary boilers for
cooling ashes and cleaning, fire protection and other similar purposes around the engine house and station buildings all utilized
this tower’s service.
The Tower is made of cypress construction and the water tank dimensions are 14’ high x 22’ in diameter. The tank is supported
by a super structure of wooden legs that are 14’ tall.
The tower has a 50,000 gallon water capacity tank. It is covered by a 6 sided wood shingle roof. The tank is constructed by large
saw cut and milled cypress staves bound by steel bands with nut and bolt fastenings.
Beaumont was one of the most important cattle shipping points in the Flint Hills during the first half of the 1900s. At one time,
Beaumont had the largest stockyards equipped with electric lights, water and scales between Wichita and Springfield, Missouri.
Beaumont had stockyards that could handle 3,000 head of cattle at a time. When the cattle arrived by train the ranch cowboys
took over to weigh and then count them out to pastures by horseback.
Beaumont Hotel & Restaurant
This historic hotel is a unique dining experience providing a glimpse into the history of the cattle industry, early railroading, and
the vision of entrepreneurs of past ages. The hotel and restaurant is on the National Register and was built in 1879 and restored
in 2001. The Hotel has an original 50’s style café and offers fine dining. Stop in and tour the eleven room bed and breakfast and
watch as airplanes taxi down Main Street right to the front door. Savor the peace and quiet of this very special piece of Americana.
Butler County History Museum/KS Oil Museum
This collection of memorabilia serves to highlight the pioneer and developmental heritage of our area and culture. The Oil Museum is unique to Kansas and a tribute to the persons and industry that brought progress and notoriety to Butler County and
Kansas. The new permanent exhibit, Glory of the Hills, explores the lives of early inhabitants, settlers and farmers and ranchers
through historic photographs and artifacts. Farming and ranching were essential to the economy, but it was oil that brought national attention to El Dorado. Located on 10 acres, this modern museum offers the visitor the opportunity to walk the streets of a
1920’s historic oil boom town and view full size oil field equipment of the early boom days in El Dorado. The museum hosts a
lively schedule of special events, gift shop of Kansas gifts and history books and a 4,000 volume research and genealogy library.
C.N. James Trading Post
When visiting the C.N. James log cabin, you feel the warmth, determination and struggles of the early pioneer.
Built in 1868, the cabin stood one and a half stories tall and was known as the Shamleffer and James Trading Post. The cabin is
built of hand-hewn cottonwood logs from along the Walnut River. Some of these logs are 12 to 14 inches in width. The cabin is
on the National Register of Historical Places and is one of only two, in the state of Kansas, on its original site. It is one of the
oldest landmarks in Butler County.
Augusta's first school classes were held in the upper loft and it became the meeting place of the Baptist and Methodist churches
and the Masonic Lodge.
Over the years, it was used as a boarding house, residence and woodworking shop. In 1939, it was purchased by the Augusta
Historical Society, who restored the building and opened it for a museum.
Walter’s Pumpkin Patch
The Pumpkin Patch gives your family a day on the farm that everyone will enjoy and treasure. Explore the Corn Maze! Ride hay
wagons across the Creaky Bridge to the Haunted cannery! The best pumpkin patch experience in the area. Darling gift shop with
specialty pumpkin food items and unique fall and Christmas décor. Pumpkin Fest begins the third week in September and continues daily through October 31st. Covered outdoor seating for 200.
75 year old Augusta Historic Theatre
Opened originally in June of 1935, The Augusta Historic Theatre was the first in the world to use neon illumination throughout
the interior. This 633-seat auditorium with its Egyptian appearance was a hallmark of movies palaces built in America in the
1920s and 1930s. For over 50 years the Bisagno family brought movies to this magnificent Augusta Theatre. It has been on the
National Register of Historic Places since October 1990.
Celebration of Freedom Memorial
Located on the lawn of the historic Butler County Court House, this is a brick path memorial honoring over 900 veterans, current
members of the U.S. armed forces and those who served on the home front. The centerpiece of the memorial, a six and one-half
foot bronze eagle, “Sovereign Wings”, rests majestically on top of a large limestone and brick base. A second memorial walk
features the Statue of Liberty and our flag.
Coutts Memorial Museum of Art
A Legacy of Art
The 1917 bank building that houses the museum at 110 N. Main in El Dorado is an impressive structure flavored by local history.
The classic granite columns provide and appropriate entrance into the museum and invite the visitor into a vision of warmth and
artistry. The museum offers something for every taste. The Western art highlights the 22 Frederic Remington bronzes. The contemporary collection offers a wonderful collection of Prairie Printmakers’ works. The gallery houses the largest Makk collection
in the united states. Visitors to the museum are both surprised and pleased to find such a sizeable and diversified collection of