Iola: History, Music, and Trails

Those looking for a hotel in Iola can get to know the city through its historic sites, music, and trails in a green setting. The attractions offer different points of interest: the Old Allen County Jail combines limestone architecture with insights into former prison conditions, while furnishings and other objects are on display at the General Funston Boyhood Home. Concert venues, a museum, and parks round out the picture.

History in Two Houses

The Old Allen County Jail is a two-story limestone building that opened in 1869. Visitors can see the solitary confinement cell and walk through the cell cage dating from 1891. This brings both the building itself and specific areas of the former jail into focus. Tours are available by appointment or Tuesday through Saturday from 1:30 p.m. Check the appropriate time before you arrive, as tour arrangements may change.

The General Funston Boyhood Home was built around 1860. Furnishings from Frederick Funston’s youth are on display, along with items related to his expeditions and military career. In contrast to the jail, the focus here is on different historical details: the home’s furnishings and objects connected with Funston’s life. Together, the two sites offer different ways to explore Iola’s cultural history during your stay.

Music, Theater, and Collections

The Bowlus Fine Arts Center brings together a variety of performances and events. Its program includes live music, family shows, a lecture series, live theater, dance performances, and concerts by the Iola Area Symphony Orchestra. The center also houses Creitz Recital Hall, where smaller instrumental concerts are held. Music lovers can enjoy both the center’s broad range of events and this specific focus on concerts.

In summer, music fills the air on Thursday evenings at Iola’s historic bandstand. One of the city’s bands performs there, making it one of the longest continuously performing municipal bands in Kansas. The Allen County Historical Society Museum complements the music and theater venues with its collections: it houses numerous photographs, garments, and various other objects. You can get to know Iola through both performances and exhibits.

Trails and Landscape

Lehigh Portland State Park occupies the site of a former cement plant, now designated as a nature preserve. Two trailheads are identified for orientation: the eastern one is at the intersection of 1600th and Nebraska Road, and the western one is on Washington Avenue beside Elm Creek Park South. Both are in Iola, Kansas 66749.

The park has around 14 miles of trails. In addition, 12.5 miles of unpaved trails are suitable for mountain biking, trail running, and nature walks. These unpaved trails provide specific options if you want to plan your stay around outdoor activities. The different trail distances can also be distinguished from the long, linear layout of Prairie Spirit Trail State Park: this park is 52 miles long and was developed from Ottawa to Iola between 1996 and 2008.

When choosing where to stay, you can first consider whether historic sites, music and theater, or activities on the trails are your priority. Iola offers specific attractions in each of these areas, which you can explore based on their themes and visitor opportunities.

For the broader travel overview: Allen.