Kansas Ghost Towns Part 19 // Wabaunsee County // Wabaunsee, Shamrock Cafe, Volland, Templin

[@travis303]

I bet that Shamrock Cafe would be a great place to watch a sunset

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Absolutely!!

[@tomkrzyt]

I am loving such places like Shamrock Cafe. A Cafe in middle of nowhere. Only wind and the sky. 🙂

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

I’d love to see a sunset there sometime!

[@tomkrzyt]

@@TravelwithaWiseguy Indeed. Great aurora seen 23 of April 2023 should be excellent visible because of lack of a light pollution.

[@ronfullerton3162]

Traveling around I have seen some wonderful and humorous roadside attractions such as the Shamrock Cafe. It just lightens the trip when someone has taken the time to add some humor to our trips and given us a reason to stop and stretch our legs. One I remember was an old cast iron bath tub that had a couple of towels on hangers nearby, soap on a rope, and a back scratcher. Nearby was also a sign giving costs for the bath and for each accessory desired. Country humor at it's finest. Thanks again for another wonderful road trip! Just give me a call when you head out again, and I will be waiting at the end of the driveway.

[@JustLou71]

Shamrock Cafe makes me want to pack a lunch and go enjoy it sitting there. That view!

[@gdroege44]

Another great historical video! We’ve visited the church but never the Cafe! You find some amazing pieces of history. Keep up the good work. 🥇

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Nice! I love the story of the church! Next time you’re in the area definitely check out the cafe!

[@brentnearhood8874]

Graduated from El Dorado High in 1972 with a Robert Droege. I think his older brother was named Jim. Played tennis pretty well. Glad to meet another Droege.

[@bertholini2810]

Something to think about. What you do and how you do it is why I (most of us) enjoy your videos. That's a fact. You do a really good job, that as well, is a fact. We just sent my mother a big box of UPS items. Does she have money, oh yes..... will she buy anything she needs, never happen (so we send it to her). I would really like one of those business cards as well. Be good, be safe !!

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Sure thing - email me your address to [e-mail] - thanks!

[@larryclark4791]

What a great idea that Shamrock Cafe is 😂

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Very cool!! 😊

[@aliceevans3357]

Once again some great areas to visit. There are so many interesting places, thank you for exploring them for us. I smiled at Beecher Bible and Rifle Church. Seems that's what helped build our great country, willing hardworking souls with a Bible in one hand and a Rifle in the other. Always happy to see a new video up from you. Keep on exploring, it never gets old. Neither does the dog's greetings. 😊 Stay safe and GOD bless

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you Alice! Yes that story about the church is great! I'll keep traveling and looking for the dogs :)

[@bglrj]

You are in my favorite part of Kansas. The Flint Hills. I was amused to find that the Shamrock Cafe received a one-star review because they didn't serve any food.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Haha! I need to give it 5 stars - although they didn't have any coffee :)

[@bglrj]

Have you ever visited the Garnett Kansas art gallery in the public library? A very wealthy New Yorker who was born and raised in Garnett donated some very significant pieces to his hometown in 1952 including an original Manet. Down the road in Iola, a very wealthy local woman built a gorgeous performing arts center with a hydraulic stage. It is huge. They told me that she once staged a nude dance troupe from New York City and outraged the townfolks.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

I haven't been there but it sounds cool! Thanks for the info!

[@bglrj]

Just down the road in Chanute, there is a very sophisticated museum of African art and artifacts brought back many decades ago by a couple from Chanute who did travelogues. It is very impressive and well run.

[@travis303]

You even have Travel with a Wise Guy biz cards 😆

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Haha! They've been helpful in a few sitations to make me seem more legit :)

[@Scott.Newmaster]

@@TravelwithaWiseguy "Seem"......

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Yes I'm just trying to fool everyone haha

[@tinman7130]

I'm thinking the Shamrock has a free range menu. Kansas never fails to have a good sense of humor about itself. Those were some great finds.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

😂😂

[@francisbarlow9904]

What a great little video! I really enjoyed that. Thank you.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you very much Francis! 😊

[@francisbarlow9904]

@@TravelwithaWiseguy Everyone calls me Frank (except my mother called me Francis when I was in trouble)

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

I'll try to remember that next time! :)

[@travis303]

It's wonderful how you have taken it upon yourself to move to a new state all those years ago and take the time to learn about its amazing history. Kansas became a state Jan. 29, 1861 and less than three months later The Civil War started. That is not a coincidence. You have taken the time to go to all of these places to learn about its Civil War history, see its small towns and even dead towns, you have learned things I have never heard of growing up. I'm glad you have taken to Kansas. I still love Kansas even though I don't live there now. People from outside Kansas poo poo it as boring and flat, but if you're from there, you know. A lot of neat hidden gems there that we get to enjoy and have all to ourselves. Shame they're missing all these wonderful relics.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Kansas has such an interesting history, especially around the Civil War times. Add into the fact of the pioneers and ghost towns and it makes for a wonderful learning experience for someone like me!

[@travis303]

@@TravelwithaWiseguy It has great history all the way around. It has great Civil War history, great Western history (Wyatt Earp, Chisolm Trail, famous outlaws), great sports history (James Naismith at KU, Jim Ryun), great air history (Wichita, Amelia Earhart), geologic history (Mushroom rocks, Little Jerusalem, Flint Hills), presidential history (Eisenhower). And all of this great history can be found in evidence at many of the towns you have been visiting as you know. If you love history, Kansas is one of the best places anywhere. A lot has happened here

[@travis303]

@@TravelwithaWiseguy Speaking of history, I'd like to see you do a small town or ghost town segment (whichever category it fits) on Piqua, Kansas. Buster Keaton was born there and it has a very small museum dedicated to the silent film star comedian. I haven't been there so can't speak from experience, just what I have seen online. I would love to go, though.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

I think Piqua would fit in the ghost town category since it's now unincorporated. I'll keep it in mind!

[@jerrysullivan8424]

@@TravelwithaWiseguy And it has some good Pentecostal religious history, especially in Topeka Ks. here is just one " The Topeka Outpouring of 1901, a book edited by Larry E. Martin, gives the reader a documentary history of the beginning of the Pentecostal movement. Long story short, in 1900, a man named Charles Parham opened a Bible school in Topeka, Kansas. It was in the Holiness tradition, but Parham was seeking a deeper experience of the Holy Spirit. He gave the students an end-of-term project. As he explained, “The main object of this study was to discover the real Bible evidence of this baptism so that we might know and obtain it, instead of being confused by the chaotic claims of modern Holy Ghost teachers”

[@Hodaggium]

It looks like what your found at the Shamrock Cafe is a Geocache. I just checked the map, and there's one there.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Lucky me! Cool spot!

[@PinInTheAtlas]

Really appreciate you taking the time to document and share the history of these amazing towns.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

It’s a fun hobby for me! Thanks for watching!

[@chriscosby2459]

I lived in Kansas for almost 20 years. There are so many interesting towns and beautiful vistas in the Flint Hills.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

For sure! One of my favorite places!

[@Rfk1966]

Interesting to see all the limestone buildings in that part of KS. They really last in comparison

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

For sure! Part of this trip was along what is called the Native Stone Scenic Byway.

[@pamelacrowe4971]

Thanks for sharing this video. Interesting place in history. Always a dog. At least he wasn't barking at you. Lol

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Haha yes he was very friendly! :)

[@andoharris1478]

Extra points for dropping the card in the box.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

:)

[@stevehilliard1495]

Good job my friend. I have been to a lot of places in Kansas but never in this area. Interesting & thanks for sharing

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thanks Steve! It was a first for me as well!

[@kbcole23]

When the Reece family took on the challenge to restore the Volland store, it was literally just the four walls..everything from the first & second floor, along with the roof were in the basement. The restored the building and developed it into "A place for art and community.". Both the loft and the little house are available as short term rentals. The main floor of the store often houses art exhibits, including traveling exhibits from the Smithsonian. The ruin close to the tracks serves as a stage for outdoor concerts and plays. They even have an artist in residence program. The store is open Fri-Sun 1-4 pm. It is an amazing addition to Wabaunsee County and the surrounding communities.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Great story and they did a wonderful job with the restoration!

[@travis303]

Oh, I've been to Mount Mitchell! I recognize that story board. My mom and I visited it on our Wamego trip. I've seen that church, too. If I remember right it's the oldest church in Kansas that still has services. When we went my mom and I wanted to go in but we weren't sure if we should because something was going on there, we heard somebody playing an organ anyway, so we just stayed outside. Been to that cemetery, too. There were an unusual plot there of a family that must have been significant in the community somehow, a real elaborate family plot. Yes, the Banks family! sorry, typed before I saw all the way through. I can't believe you're actually filming places I have been with my mom!

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Awesome! Always fun to see places I've been before too! Very interesting history in these areas!

[@rossbryan6102]

NOW IS MY FAVORITE TIME TO DRIVE THE FLINT HILLS WHEN WE HAVE JUST HAD A LARGE RAINSTORM AND THE CLEARWATER STREAMS ARE ALL FLOWING!!

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

It’s such a beautiful area! Love exploring the Flint Hills!

[@rossbryan6102]

IF YOU HAPPENED TO NOTICE THE OLD RR ROAD BEDS, GOING SOUTHEAST FROM ALMA IS THE FORMER AT&SF BURLINGTON TO ALMA BRANCH LINE CONNECTING TO WHAT WAS THEN THE ROCK ISLAND LINE! BETWEEN MCFARLAND KS AND BELLEVILLE KS , ROCK ISLAND ALSO WENT THROUGH MANHATTAN AND CLAY CENTER ON ITS WAY NORTH!! THESE TWO ROUTES WERE HIT BADLY DUE TO THE DECENTRALIZATION OF THE MEAT PACKING PLANTS FROM BIG CITIES TO THE MORE RURAL NEWER FACILITIES, BEING SERVED BY THE IMPROVING ROADS, AND THE TRUCKING CARRIERS!

[@eburro62331]

WOW!!! This was amazing! Love the drone shots. The Shamrock Cafe is definitely memorable!

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you! I loved the cafe too - great idea!

[@jerryrichardson8029]

Another great video !!! Wow so much history here, thank you so much for sharing this areas' past with us. It would really be nice if money were spent to preserve some of this history, especially documenting stories from those still alive. The Shamrock cafe is a hoot !! That little box you found appears to be a Geocache. That is a big sport where people search for Geocache locations, leave a tidbit in the box and sign the log book, which you did. Good Job !!!

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you Jerry! I was glad to see Wabaunsee had documented some of the history, but I'd love to see more like you said.

[@papabear562]

Ok, that was really cool! Your stop at the Shamrock Cafe was the highlight of this video. Volland looked like a really pretty area too. It's great that those buildings have been restored. Not many communities have the resources to do that.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thanks! This was a fun day and the Shamrock Cafe was a great surprise 😊

[@billiegutierrez2506]

What a cute idea sure gets people’s curiosity sounds like a fun adventure stay safe loved the ride

[@hungarysammy]

Ahhh...great video! Love waubansee county...beautiful country! Love the history of the Beecher B&R church! Volland is very interesting and love the store! But that Shamrock Cafe.....I could have lunch there every day!😊 My kind of place! Love, love the furry friend at the end! 😂 And....that Kansas wind!🥴 Just wondering...did Garsone bring you coffee?!😂😂

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Haha thank you! It was a fun little trip! Unfortunately no coffee 😂😂

[@kathyscoppettuolo7168]

So sweet to go to Shamrock Cafe and sign the visitors book 😊 ☘

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

😊

[@pamelaherriford1940]

Very cool! My mom told me about the Shamrock Cafe….now I have seen it!

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

It was definitely one of my favorite parts of the day! :)

[@sueelliott3206]

I'm only about 7 minutes in and I love the Shamrock cafe! What a clever idea.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

I agree very clever! And beautiful!

[@Cdubp01]

Very cool video! My father's side of the family is from Alta Vista. I spent many Sundays in the passenger seat as we drove around those back roads around Volland listening to my Grandma recount the history of different families that lived in the area. She was a wealth of knowledge; sadly passing at 99 a few years back. My fondest memories out there in the flint hills.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

That’s awesome! I bet she had some super interesting stories! Great drive!

[@lifewithjosef]

I too have a "business" card promoting my channel. I've handed a few out when it felt appropriate. I did the same when we went full time in the RV. I carry push pins so I can avail myself of rural grocery community bulletin boards. As always... Edit: The Shamrock Cafe is just the type of place I love to stop at. Great find!

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Good idea about the community bulletin boards. I’ve not been very good promoting the channel 🤷🏼‍♂️ and yeah the Shamrock Cafe is worth the stop if you’re ever close!

[@aklgooshock]

Wabaunsee County has some awesome scenery. The end was funny!

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Haha thanks! It was a fun trip!

[@Quitealways]

Beautiful area with unique history. Pretty church and nice enter dedication those who came to area in earlier years.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

This was a very fun little trip!

[@terriquotskuyva4594]

Cool little outdoor cafe!! I hope you track and field team are doing awesome!! Good luck Shockers!!

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you! We're doing well - big meet in Tampa, FL next week :)

[@pikupanndropof7339]

Found your channel a couple weeks ago. Love it. Live near Home (City), Kansas. My mom lived in the building at the 5:03 mark about 20 years ago. From what I remember that was the old school building for the area.

[@gh2687]

Enjoyed the video. Thanks for another adventure 😊

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thanks for watching!

[@blakemeadors1468]

I've lived in alta vista in wabunsee County all my lif very close to volland and never heard of the Beacher Bible church or the shamrock Cafe, very glad to learn new things about my county, keep up the great work

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you! Beautiful and interesting county - I hope to go back soon!

[@Dragonflylane77]

Ok, going to the Shamrock Cafe is now On my bucket list..☘️🪣

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Awesome! Very neat little spot!

[@TheAsif5182]

awesome feeling when u find a mysterious box .i wish u check all the things inside .and mention who else visited before u as it seems that u mentioned your name on that book .❤ i love it .woow.

[@71chadknight]

Wow you were like 20 miles from Eskridge when you were at Volland!!! Glad you finally made it to wabaunsee county John!!! Come back again and take a little tour through my town of Eskridge!!

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

It was fun! Kind of a spur of the moment trip, can’t wait to get back to the area again someday!

[@williammatzek4660]

Now I know where the name wabaunsee. Came from. About 50 yrs ago when I started working in shops I seen a few of the drill presses like you showed in your oil hill video. They were not new then. They were a precision drill press.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

It’s an usual name that I didn’t know about til this trip either! 😊

[@kimballamram552]

William Beecher was related to the author Harriet Beecher Stow as they were originally from the Litchfield Hills in Northwestern Connecticut

[@amranackerman9656]

Wow what they have done to preserve the railroad station. Lol as iv been there 10 years ago or so and it DID NOT look salvageable at all. Pretty incredible Hmm must have been a pretty few pennies to save

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

It was very nicely preserved!

[@zachpercival9464]

Wilmington is another Ghost Town just a few miles south of the town of Harveyville in the Southeastern Corner of the County.

[@jeffsmith846]

The Shamrock Cafe is just too cool. Lol

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Agreed!!

[@allenhill1223]

That's close to where they left my grandma grandparents. Pottowatomi😢

[@jamesbednar8625]

Awesome video!! Have been to every county in Kansas and always think that Wabaunsee County is the prettiest - just love the Flint Hills region. Every county has it great points/views but Wabaunsee County is the winner in my opinion. Have been to the Shamrock Cafe numerous times - great place. My 1st visit to the Templin area I had a tire on my truck get destroyed while driving through one of those cemeteries. Something that a lot of people do not know: the Battle of Beecher Island in September 1868 was named for the son of Beecher - the preacher who brought those "bibles" to town. His son's name was LT Fredrick Beecher who was killed battling Cheyenne, Arapahoe, and Sioux Indians. He was part of specialized unit of roughly 50 US Army Scouts whose mission was to seek out and destroy hostile Indians. Well, they found plenty of hostile Indians in extreme eastern Colorado just south of the present town of Wray, CO, or about 30-miles or so northwest of the present town of St Francis, KS. The scouts were overwhelmed by the Indians and sought cover/protection on a small island in the Arikaree River (pronounce A-rik-a-ra). The scouts barely made it to the island and had to kill their horses for protection. The river was dry the day of the battle, so the combined Indian force was able to charge the island and overrun the scouts' positions, but never able to completely eliminate them. LT Beecher was killed, and the site was named in his honor. Famous Cheyenne war chief - Roman Nose - was also killed at this battle. Today, there are some monuments commemorating the battle, a community center, and some walking trails/markers pointing out key areas of the battle. The island is no more for it was destroyed in a massive flood decades ago but there is a bridge that crosses the river and the center of the bridge is supposed to mark the general area where the scouts' positions were. If you ever go to Wallace County, KS, about 6 of the scouts that were killed during the battle are buried in the Fort Wallace Cemetery. Wallace County has some awesome history concerning the Plains Indian Wars for many settlers that were killed in various skirmishes are buried in the Fort Wallace Cemetery. Also, there is an awesome memorial dedicated to the 7th Cavalry soldiers that died in the general area/skirmishes. NOTHING remains of the old fort for the fort location is on private property. Also, there is a nice museum outside of the town of Wallace, KS, along US HWY 40.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you for the comment! Great info! Yes I hope to explore Wallace County someday for sure!

[@paulbateman63]

Sat here in the UK watching. Love all your videos, really interesting. Keep it up ❤👍

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thanks Paul! Much appreciated!! 😊

[@marionlesage4794]

Neat video. These sites are just a few miles from my home and I’ve passed through Wabunsee several times without knowing the fascinating history. Interesting thing: my husbands last name is LeSage which means The Wise. You have many similar facial features as well. Small world😉

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Nice! You should definitely check them out sometime! LeSage is such a cool name!

[@brentnearhood8874]

Thanks! John 😎

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

My pleasure!

[@mathewhephill8686]

Thank you so much, love your work. Love all the history.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

My pleasure! Beautiful area to visit and explore!

[@robchit1]

Wonderful installment! I may be from Topeka but I even know it's pronounced OWL-muh (Alma) lol. Wabaunsee at one time had two railroads running parallel on the SW side of town to Manhattan--the Manhattan, Alma & Burlingame (Santa Fe) and the Rock Island. Also you might find Fairfield that was NE of Alma, and Papilion with its stone hotel and school

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Haha thanks!

[@ronalddailey5208]

😢 catching up on some of your videos. Great job

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Welcome back! 😊

[@jjarm]

Oh my gosh that cafe…….how clever.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Agreed! Very cool!

[@JamesSchaeffer-ew5yo]

If you're going around Kansas go through cloud county Kansas they have some pretty cool little towns I enjoy your vlogs

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Yes I’ve been through there a few times. Hopefully someday I’ll make some videos!

[@galenfalk1081]

You should check out Hessdale,Chalk, Snokomo, all in Wabaunsee county.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Would love to!

[@beerdrinker6452]

Love your videos. Thank you.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you - cheers!

[@dentont388]

Crazy I grew up only a couple miles away from wabaunsee. Place called zeandale only a mile or two away

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Beautiful area to grow up!

[@joemurray553]

I envy your travels

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thanks for watching!

[@chicamx02]

We could go for lunch sometimes always open

[@shirleygrist1271]

Check out Twin Mound in Douglas county

[@captainflannel8558]

man wish i knew ya was doin wabensse i grew up outside of harveyvillle ks in a ghost town called willismanburg my family ansestorers started a town along the trail between harveyville n burlingame called havvannah would love to show ya a few spots

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Nice! I plan to go back again someday - this was just a little side trip because I was in the area. Excited to explore more!

[@captainflannel8558]

@@TravelwithaWiseguy lmk if ya make it back can show ya civil war soldiers grave n few cool things

[@robchit1]

I think he's referring to Wilmington that was on the Santa Fe Trail with ruts near by. There's a stone school there that the local scouts tried to keep up. There was also a rail stop called Bradford between Harveyville and Burlingame

[@kimberlyflick159]

Dude! You found a Geocache and signed it without even knowing it!😂😂😂

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Nice! 😂😂

[@gorrdd]

John, It's hard to conceive your coverage. The fact you have as many as nineteen segments in Kansas ghost and shall towns. What that tells me is that your going around and visiting virtually every small town in virtually every state... over time. With that much coverage it would be "wise" to also spend some time creating folders for every single state and county and list them by relative adjacent location, so that viewers can select areas to visit close to where they may be. Just a thought. Your building enough content to be able to offer an unlimited number of guided tours. You do maps with highlighter pen, background history, and visual surface and drone coverage. You channel becomes very useful to a large group of people.😊 Gord

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you very much 😊 I’ve started a new website (link in the description) and my long term plan is to do some of what you are talking about. Just haven’t had the time yet. I appreciate the thoughts!

[@gorrdd]

@@TravelwithaWiseguy I guess it's easier to have a separate webpage with links back to KZbin. And that's a project in itself. Thanks for the comments, John. Gord

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

@@gorrdd By the way I do have playlists organized by subject here on my youtube channel. For example there is a Kansas ghost towns playlist here: kzbin.info/aero/PL4jqwLUrhjNRrbNAkj4ZX149BAdvebsFr

[@gorrdd]

@@TravelwithaWiseguy Thanks John... I'll check it out. You have a ton of Kansas videos, for sure. Gord

[@augiegirl1]

WHERE’S KEENE?! My first CNA job back in 2010 was in Eskridge for 8 months, & my commute there from Topeka took me through Keene every day! It was 4 miles South of I-70, exit 342 (341 is Maple Hill).

[@charlesyell6318]

I noticed you didn't mention the American flag still hanging in that old building.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Did I need to mention it? I made sure to show it prominently.

[@charlesyell6318]

I just thought it would be nice to mention that it was still on display.

[@svetozarevic]

You didn''t show us how much booze you had in Shamrock cafe, you know that you musn't drink while driving.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Haha! It was a dry cafe :)

[@ozzyfan7299]

You live a very exciting and adventurous life my friend. Keep on keeping on.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thanks! I’ll try!!

[@drinkingindives]

really enjoy your videos - you are going places i think most wouldnt even realize to go.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you! I'm interested in these little places - hopefully more will be too!