Rural Kansas

Rural Kansas

Posted by Brit

I took a mini detour south off of highway 50 and found some really cool things.  For a long time I've wanted to drive through the tiny town of Cedar Point, KS.  It is on my route to and from Lawrence; it's about 15 miles east of Florence on Highway 50.  To the north of 50 on the side of the hill are some stones arranged to spell out Cedar Point, so it's always caught my eye.  I've always had a love for historical sites and thought there had to be some interesting stuff in this town of 28 people (according to Wikipedia).

A few miles further east on highway 50 is the unincorporated Clements.  As I slowed down thinking this was my turn off for Cedar Point I noticed a sign for the "Clements Stone Arch Bridge historical marker, 1886" and had to go ahead and turn off.   I got over the tracks and passed the few houses on the winding road that makes up Clements, and continued on into the countryside for about a mile.  On my right I saw another small sign and took the turn.  Wow!  This limestone bridge is amazing.  You could drive up to it, but no further as the road is now closed.  I parked and made my approach.  The bridge crossing the Cottonwood River was much bigger than I thought it would be.  Grass growing over the top; I doubt many make the stop to visit this wonder anymore.  The limestone bricks were so wide that even my clumsy self could climb aboard the edge over looking the river.  After some time with the local birds and deer I was back in the car and headed on to my next stop.   (To find out more about the Clements Stone Arch Bridge click here for it's application to the National Historical Register.)

Walk up approach to the Clements Stone Arch Bridge

Cottonwood River

At the entrance of Cedar Point you are greeted with the backside of the old mill.  I turned right on to main street and realized quickly that this little town is all but abandoned.  The post office is still operation, but not another single building on their main road was inhabited.  The homes that were still lived in were mostly well kept.  I circled around a few blocks and found the broken windowed old school, built in 1918.  I decided to continue heading south out of town instead of heading back north to highway 50.  I passed an old cemetery and stopped to take it all in.  Most of the headstones dated back to the 1800's with a few present from recent decades.  It was interesting to consider how this aging community has shifted, as have many rural Kansas small towns.  Currently the 18-24 demographic makes up exactly 0% of Cedar Point's population.  The majority of the town (60%) is over the age of 45, and the largest category is 65 and older.  The town's population continues to decline and the town becomes more and more desolate.  From here I continued south and west down windy, narrow roads some made of gravel some of dirt, grass and limestone.  I only encountered one other vehicle on my trek past ranches and pastures.  As I headed back north to meet up with highway 50 again I winded down a hill to another great bridge.  The Pratt through truss bridge also crosses the Cottonwood River.  I stopped and took some time with this bridge too, taking in more lush green vegetation all of this rain has provided us with.

Cedar Point School

Roads so narrow and desolate I considered the fact that I may be on private drive

Shell of an old limestone building

Pratt through truss bridge

I can't imagine a better morning, and only wished I would have had more than my iPhone camera.  I plan on taking Brandon on this little detour to do a little more exploration and will take it along next time.