From U.S. 50, 2 miles north on Halstead. Outside the white fence, a plaque on a large natural stone states that “The widow of a soldier of the American Revolution,” Rebecca Keys Burch, is buried in this cemetery. Burch is the mother of Elizabeth Burch Brown, buried in Halstead Cemetery.
You can almost imagine entering a medieval walled city as you approach Halstead from the north on K-89. Massive gates hang between concrete pillars, and high earthen walls border either side. Are they here to guard the town and the tall grain elevators that appear like castles? It’s not quite so dramatic. What you’re actually seeing are huge flood prevention structures built in 1994. The gates stand at the bridge entrances over the Little Arkansas River, and will close if the river begins to rise toward flood stage. No medieval mystique, but nonetheless important.
From 3rd, 1¾ miles north on Main (becomes Hertzler). To find the grave (and a handsome memorial bench) of Dr. Hertzler (1870-1946), go east into the cemetery’s northernmost driveway, then just south at the first crossroads. Also of interest in the cemetery’s northwest corner is a plaque on a large natural stone affirming that “A daughter of a soldier of the American Revolution,” Elizabeth Burch Brown, is buried in this cemetery.
A 1917 brick depot (NRHP) houses excellent displays about historic Halstead. Learn about Dr. Arthur Hertzler, the “Horse and Buggy Doctor”; the filming of Picnic in Halstead (and see the film’s actual swan boat); the story of the Halstead hospital, clinic, and school of nursing; and Halstead natives—Adolph Rupp Kentucky Wildcat basketball coach (1930-1972); and Jim Roper, first to win a national drag car race (1949). Donation welcome. March- December, Sat-Sun 2-5 p.m. Note: Open early for the BKRT. Hours TBA.
Christian Bergtholdt, a German Mennonite immigrant from Bavaria, built the exquisite Queen Anne home (NRHP) at 205 E. 5th. The house was constructed in 1885 after Bergtholdt had achieved financial success from his grain elevator and mill. Drive by only.
In the early 1900s the electric-powered Arkansas Valley Interurban Railroad provided passenger and light freight service through Halstead from Hutchinson to Newton and into Wichita. The old Interurban station still stands at Spruce and 2nd, and six Interurban bridges (abandoned) can be seen east of town. Two close together are, from Spruce, 3¼ miles east on 6th (becomes SW 37 gravel road). On the north side you can spot the multiple- span bridge nestled among dense trees. Continue ¼ mile farther east to see the second bridge.
This facility is considered the oldest rural health museum in the nation. Designed for guided group learning, a browsing tour is also open to the public. The interactive, hands-on activities create exciting opportunities to learn about health, especially with Valeda, the health education transparent woman, on hand! Admission charge. Regularly open Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-4 p.m. The museum will open on Saturday for the BKRT. Hours TBA.
Where Kit Carson Camped is the title of this 1941 Section artwork by famed Kansas landscape artist Birger Sandzen. See the mural inside the 1939 post office. Section Art was a finalist in 8 Wonders of Kansas Art contest sponsored by the Kansas Sampler Foundation in 2010. (NRHP) Be sure and buy stamps on Saturday. Open 9 -11 a.m. The mural is available to view anytime.
From 2nd, ¼ mile north on Main. A plaque on a granite stone records that the Harvey County Old Settlers Picnic was first held here in 1896. In more recent years the park gained recognition as one of the primary filming locations for the motion picture Picnic starring William Holden and Kim Novak. (Although the plaque states the filming was in 1956, it actually occurred in May 1955).
Movie buffs might recall the springy pedestrian bridge appearing in film. Spanning the Little Arkansas River, it was built in 1938 by Orris L. Hinshaw and remains on its original site in the south part of the park.
