The city of Newton, the Harvey County seat, offers an ideal small town atmosphere with quiet neighborhoods, good schools and abundant community activities. Located only 20 minutes north of Wichita on I-135, Newton is also within easy access of all the amenities of the metropolitan area. The community is proud of its colorful past. The famous Chisholm Trail leads into Harvey County. The coming of the railroad in the early 1870s brought with it gunslingers, gamblers, cowboys and railroad crews, and Newton came to be known as a bloody and lawless city with tales to rival any wild western town. Today, Western hospitality and rugged pioneer spirit live on in Newton's festivals, historic buildings, museums and antique stores. Harvey County is also home to one of the country's largest Mennonite populations. A modern lifestyle has replaced bonnets, beards and buggies, but today's Mennonites are still known for their friendly hospitality. The Mennonite influence in the area is evident with numerous Mennonite Churches, two colleges, a nationally recognized mental health center, the Mennonite Church USA national headquarters and Mennonite Press, all founded and supported by Mennonites. Best Western Newton Kansas.
Things to do in Newton
500 Main Place Building
An example of American Renaissance architecture, 500 Main Place is the historic Railroad Savings and Loan building. The original Savings and Loan Association consisted of railroad men who desired a home financing agency and grew to become one of the largest financial institutions in Kansas. The building now houses several businesses. Located across from the Newton Train Station. Find Best Western Newton Lodging nearby. Call 316-282-1000 for more information.
Blue Sky Sculpture
With its cloud motif, stoneware figures, arced shape, and fluid reflective tiles that blend with the natural sky, the unique Blue Sky Sculpture offers an opportunity for personal reflection. The sculpture is dedicated to the memory of Jacqueline M. Smith, a prominent citizen and supporter of the fine arts in Newton. Located in Centennial Park at 1699 N. Kansas.
Camp Hawk County Park
Camp Hawk is a 43-acre county park featuring a 4-acre pond stocked with channel catfish, largemouth bass, and sunfish. Facilities include covered picnic tables, outdoor basketball and volleyball court, playground and 18-hole disc golf course, as well as an enclosed shelter house available by reservation. Travel 2 miles south of Newton on I-135, take Exit 28 (McLains Rd), and proceed 2 miles west on SW 36th Street. Call 316-283-8171 for more information.
Carriage Factory Art Gallery
Established to promote the work of local and regional artists, the Carriage Factory Gallery features original paintings, glassware, pottery and other artworks by Kansas artists. The gallery is housed in the 1884 building that was formerly the J.J. Krehbiel's Carriage Factory, one of Newton’s largest industries. The adjacent Carriage Factory Park is a memorial to J.J. Krehbiel. Located at 128 E. Sixth. Call 316-284-2749 for more information.
Country Boys Carriage & Prairie Adventures
Country Boys Carriage & Prairie Adventures offers visitors the chance to enjoy old fashioned horse-drawn carriage and surrey rides, covered wagon excursions and hayrack rides. 1504 S. Rock Road. Call 316-283-2636 for more information.
Fox Ridge Public Golf Course
Fox Ridge offers a public par 35 3,174-yard golf course, driving range and putting green. Amenities include a pro shop, snacks and golf carts. Located at 800 S. Kansas Avenue. Call 316-283-4667 for more information.
Harvey County East Park
Harvey County East Park offers a 314-acre lake for fishing, boating, skiing and swimming. The 1,300-acre park also features nature trails, campsites (electrical hookups available), rest rooms and showers, picnic areas, open and enclosed shelters, softball diamonds, boat ramps, bait shop and boat rentals. From I-135, exit 31, travel 7 miles east on First Street, then ¼ mile north on East Lake Road. Call 316-283-5420 for more information.
Harvey County Historical Society Library & Museum
Harvey County’s rich history covers the Chisholm Trail to the Mennonite settlers to today’s thriving agriculture. The Harvey County Historical Society Library & Museum preserves this history through genealogical archives and various exhibits. Located in the historic 1903 Newton Carnegie Library at 203 N. Main. Call 316-283-2221 for more information.
Harvey County West Park
One of three major county parks in the area, Harvey County West Park is situated on 310 acres on the little Arkansas River. The heavily wooded park provides a beautiful setting for enjoying the natural beauty of the area and a number of recreational activities. A 16-acre fishing lake is stocked with crappie, channel catfish, sunfish, and largemouth bass. A swimming area features a sandy beach. Other facilities include camping pads with electrical hookups, boat rentals, bait shop, enclosed shelters, picnic area, nature trails, softball diamonds, and a sand volleyball court. Take Hwy. 50 ten miles west of Newton, then travel 4 miles north on County Road 801, then 3.5 miles west on County Road 564. Call 316-835-3189 for more information.
Kauffman Museum
Located on the Bethel College campus, the Kauffman Museum highlights the cultural and natural history of the Central Plains, as well as the immigration of the Mennonites to Kansas in the 1870s. In north Newton at 27th & N. Main. Call 316-283-1612 for more information.
Mennonite Settler Statue
Located in Newton’s Athletic Park, the Mennonite Settler monument was completed in 1941, shortly before Pearl Harbor. The stone sculpture pays tribute to three separate entities and achievements: first, to Bernhard Warkentin for bringing hard winter wheat to the USA from Russia; second, to the Santa Fe Railway for their part in transporting the wheat overland; and third, to the Mennonites who settled in the area and farmed the land. Athletic Park is located at the 600 block of West 5th Street.
Newton Public Golf Course
Newton’s par 35 2,624-yard public golf course is located at I-135 & Exit 34. The facility also features a pro shop, snack bar and golf carts. Call 316-283-4168 for more information.
Newton Train Station
The 1930 Newton Railroad Station was modeled after Shakespeare's Stratford-on-Avon home and is listed on both the State and the National Register of Historical Places. The station today still serves as an AMTRAK stop, as well as providing a home for several business offices and a branch of the Hutchinson Community College. Located at 414 N. Main. Call 316-283-5650 for more information.
The Old Mill Plaza
Originally built by Monarch Steam Mills in 1879, the Old Mill was purchased by Russian immigrant Bernhard Warkentin in 1886 to handle the "Turkey Red" hard winter wheat brought over by immigrants from Russia. The high-yielding wheat variety gave Kansas enormous productivity, and the state eventually came to be known as "Breadbasket of the World." The Old Mill has been restored to its original style and design, and now houses many local businesses and restaurants. Located at 301 N. Main Street. Call 316-283-4479 for more information.
Warkentin House Museum
Built in 1887, the Warkentin House was the Victorian home of Bernhard Warkentin and Wilhelmina Eisenmayer Warkentin, who encouraged Mennonite immigrants to bring over Turkey Red hard winter wheat from Russia. The wheat thrived in the plains, and led to Kansas being known as the “Breadbasket of the World.” Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the home is a wonderful example of Victorian architecture and furnishings, and many of the original furnishings remain. Located at 211 E. 1st. Call 316-283-3113 for more information.