Stockton, KS Road Trips

Rooks County Historical Society and Museum, 921 South Cedar, ☏ +1 785-425-7217. The museum features one of the largest displays of dolls in the area. Lorenzo Fuller was one of Rooks County's more famous residents. Born and raised in Stockton, Lorenzo was awarded a scholarship to Juilliard School of Music, was in the cast of several Broadway shows, toured Europe in the cast of "Porgy and Bess" and appeared on the CBS weekly program, "American Musical Comedy Theatre." Some of Lorezo and his families musical instruments are on display in the museum. Other displays at the museum include items from a one room schoolhouse, information and pictures about the Big Barn near Woodston that met its demise when struck by lightning, and numerous pictures from each of the counties towns. The museum also has many records available on obituaries, genealogy, newspapers, yearbooks, land and schools. Admission is free, donations accepted. A few nearby towns are worth investigating. Nicodemus (About 16 miles from Stockton). In the decades immediately following the US Civil War, thousands of freed slaves were lured to the high plains states, often with exaggerated claims about the wonderful weather and the rich land being given away. One settlement of former slaves was Nicodemus. Quite unlike the Eden promised them, these settlers found it difficult to eke out a living here due to the harsh conditions. With a population of only 30 to 35 inhabitants, Nicodemus has managed to survive, and is now a National Historic Site, complete with a visitors center.

Rooks County Free Fair. The Rooks County Free Fair is held annually in early to mid August and features Motorcycle and IMCA Sanctioned Car races, demolition derby, lots and lots of food, rides, and fun capped off with a headline performance. In 2007, Country music stars Jack Ingram and Taylor Swift performed.