Museums, Culture and Attractions in Westmoreland.



A well - developed historic museum complex is maintained by the Rock Creek Valley Historical Society which includes actual historic log and stone buildings, replicated buildings and a rich collection of artifacts and documents commemorating the Oregon-California Trail and early settlement of the Westmoreland area.

Pottawatomie County maintains the scenic 70 acre Scott Springs Historic Site, on Hwy. 99 about ½ mile south of the City of Westmoreland. This site was famous for its springs and was heavily used throughout the active history of the Oregon-California trail as a campground by emigrants. The site is very scenic and offers a pleasant and informative stop for travelers, with its commemorative metal sculptures, interpretive signs, and trails to the old crossing over Rock Creek. Several emigrants lost their lives to cholera in the immediate area and there are still grave sites protected on and near the grounds.

The main street of Westmoreland contains a number of historic buildings as well businesses offering basic amenities and a variety of gifts.

The historic Pottawatomie County Courthouse, built of native limestone in the 19th century, is in the center of town.

The City of Westmoreland maintains a newly built 16 unit RV Park along Hwy. 99 on the north edge of town. All units in the park have water and electricity and several are pull-throughs that can accommodate the largest RV's.

The community hosts major celebrations at 4th of July and Christmas which are available to the public.

Westmoreland is the jumping off point for 2 very scenic hiking-biking trails, mapped along seldom traveled back roads in the area.

• Horse's Head Trail is 42.3 miles long and semi-difficult, offering very scenic vistas along hills, valleys and the Blue River valley.
  
  
• Vertical Trail is 22.5 miles long, 9.3 miles is "vertical" (steep hills). It passes along very scenic ridge lines.

Either trail can be hiked or ridden in whole or in part.
Each trail is mapped out along little traveled rural dirt or gravel roads more than 95% of the way.

Pottawatomie County Lake # 2 lies a 5 minute drive north, offering fishing and camping.

The City of Wamego is a 15 minute drive south. Tuttle Creek Reservoir and its state parks are a 20 minute drive west. The City of Manhattan and Kansas State University are a 25 minute drive southwest.