Webster Reservoir and State Park is located 7 miles west of Stockton on Highway 24 or 10 miles north of Zurich on Highway 258 from K-18. The 3,780-acre lake has campgrounds, picnic areas, swimming, volleyball courts, shower houses, shelters, hiking trails, boat ramps, a fish cleaning station, electric hookups, and much more.
To find out more about Webster Lake, visit their website.
The Rooks County Courthouse is on the National Register of Historic Places. This stately Neo-Classical Revival structure dominates its surroundings in the county seat of Stockton. Construction of the Bedford stone courthouse began in 1921 and was completed in 1923. At the time, the courthouse cost over $300,000 to build.
The beautiful imported marble located throughout the courthouse is just one of the unique features, as is the ceramic tile floors. The building is located at 115 N. Walnut in Stockton and is open from 8 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 8 a.m. to noon on Friday.
The Rooks County Historical Society and Museum offer a glimpse into the history of Rooks County. A Pete Felten limestone sculpture of a draft horse marks this museum. The outdoor sculpture and a small display within commemorate one of the most famous and largest horse barns in the state, the 1912 classic Thomas Big Barn, near Woodston. It was struck by lightning and destroyed by fire just as renovation was completed in 1995. The museum also features county and town exhibits and photos, the Zelma Rader Atherton doll collection, and a photo display of many courthouses found in the state.
Open Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Plainville Township Lake is located 1 mile south and 1 mile west of Plainville. During normal years, the lake has plenty of water and provides an excellent location for fishing and picnics. It is also a great place for bird watching, photographing sunsets, or playing a round of frisbee golf on a nine-hole layout on the west side of the lake.
Camping spaces are available with electrical hookups. Call 785-688-4064 to reserve a space. If no answer, call 785-737-3087.
St. Joseph’s Church in Damar is a beautiful example of classic Romanesque design and is a glowing example of the importance that early settlers to Rooks County placed on religion. The church had its first mass celebrated in 1917. The church was officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2005.
In 2008, the church was selected as one of the 24 finalists for 8 Wonders of Kansas Architecture. Also, go to the Damar Community Historical Foundation website to learn more about the church, and the community of Damar.
The Stockton Barn Quilt Wall is located at the east end of Lower Park on the west side of Stockton on Highway 24. The wall, composed of barn quilt patterns created by local and area interests is considered at this time to be the largest barn quilt wall in Kansas.
A project of the RoCo Arts Council, the display represents present and former businesses, organizations, schools and mascots, families, memorials, and so much more.
Nova Theater in Stockton is a classic example of what can happen when community vision is teamed with community effort and financial giving.
The Nova Theater, built in 1932, has been restored and is now home to weekend movies and numerous other special events.
The 200-seat multi-purpose theater is available throughout the year for meetings and events.
Ash Rock Church built in 1882, is located 5 miles north and 1 mile east of Woodston. Sometimes called the “Stone Church” because of its thick, limestone walls, the church stands as a memorial to the spirit and hard work of those who settled the land, survived its hard times, and enjoyed its good times.
The church was renovated in 1976 to its present condition.
The Rooks County Fairgrounds, located at the south end of Stockton, features several buildings that were part of the WPA building programs of the Great Depression.
The grandstands and Ostmeyer building are both constructed of native limestone and reflect the grandeur and history of the Rooks County Free Fair, which has been a continuously running annual event for over 140 years.
One of Rooks County’s newest attractions is the Tornado Sculpture located in the unincorporated community of Codell in SE Rooks County along Kansas Highway 18.
The sculpture was dedicated on May 20, 2018, in remembrance of the three tornadoes that struck the small community on three successive years on the same day–May 20, 1916,1917, and 1918. This rare occurrence resulted in a listing in Ripley’s Believe It Or Not, and notoriety from meteorologists from all over the United States.
