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Lyons is the current county seat of Rice County and was founded in 1876. Today its population of nearly 3700 residents enjoy the historic and modern aspects of their city. The historic center town square around the county courthouse is still the scene of many of the city activities including a fall arts and crafts fair held in September and the Veterans' Day Parade. Lyons was established along the Topeka, Atchinson, and Santa Fe Railway, which followed the early day Santa Fe Trail. Its exploration began in 1542 when Coronado and his soldiers came seeking the fabled gold of Quivira. Finding only tribes of Quivira indians and their villages may have been a disappointment but Coronado believed that he had found the best country suitable for growing products of Spain. The explorations and history of Rice County are preserved at the Coronado-Quivira Museum in downtown Lyons. Opportunities abound for recreation in Lyons from the parks, the activity center, the tennis courts, to the city swimming pool. The high school track also provides a walking area for enthusiasts for most of the months of the year.
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Sterling is located in Rice County and is home to Sterling College, a thriving downtown, and numerous activities for its residents.
Located only 12 miles from Quivira Wildlife Refuge, residents also take advantage of the nature walks available there. |
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The city has one of
the prettiest parks in Kansas, built around a lake at the southeast corner of
town. The park is the site of many of the local special events and on a summer
evening is full of people enjoying its features. Area walks are available
for residents year around.
This
modern bathhouse is available at the pool at Sterling Lake