
About Franklin County
There is so much you can take in and learn about Franklin County, Kan. A wonderful mixture of history and beauty await. The
area is blessed with historic architecture, great antique shopping, and fun-filled community events.
In this historic
You can see what an 1888 train depot was like at the Old Depot Museum or stroll down historic Main Street and learn about the buildings built in the late 1800s from an interactive kiosk system beginning at the Old Depot Museum and ending near the Carnegie Cultural Center. And don’t forget to stop by the beautiful Franklin County Courthouse, built in 1893 by famed Kansas architect George P. Washburn.
If outdoor activities are your game, hop on your bike for a ride or hike on the 51 mile-long trail called the Prairie Spirit Rail Trail State Park from Ottawa to Iola. If you like to ride horses the Flint Hills Trail crosses the Prairie Spirit Trail in Ottawa. This trail when completed will span over 117 miles from Osawatomie to Herington. In the fall, residents and visitors enthusiastically take part in annual day trips to Peckham’s Pumpkin Patch and Pome on the Range Orchards and Winery for fresh farm pickings from pumpkins to Christmas trees and more.
For a taste of small-town culture, plan to attend any of the festivals and events hosted by Ottawa, Lane, Richmond, Princeton, Rantoul, Wellsville, Williamsburg or Pomona. Each of these communities rolls out the red carpet and genuine hospitality to all who visit them.
Six hotels, an RV park, a bed and breakfast
Click on one of the tabs above to narrow your search for what you are looking for.
General information on the CVB:
The Franklin County CVB consists of 2 staff members and over 30+ volunteers. Responsibilities of the organization include promoting the county as a tourism destination and marketing various events and attractions inside and outside the county. In addition, the organization is responsible for managing the Visitor Information Center located on K-68 Highway near I-35.
Operating hours of the Visitor Information Center are M-F 9-5pm, Sat. 9-4pm, & Sun 12-4pm. The Visitor Information
It is important that employees exhibit a professional attitude and enthusiasm in their work with visitors, officials, and community members or groups at all times.
We provide an excellent benefits package including sick, vacation, holidays and health insurance.
Please mail your resume and cover letter
Welcome to the Franklin County Convention and Visitors Bureau’s
The FCCVB is happy to offer support services and resources for local, regional, national and international journalists writing about Franklin County, Kan. Locally, we’re proud to partner with KOFO Radio and The Ottawa Herald. We can provide you with factual and interesting stories for your reading or viewing audiences.
Access the photo gallery to take a tour. From attractions, events
For news enterprise story ideas, we suggest sources like the U.S. Travel Association and the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks
If you don’t find what you’re looking for on our website or need additional assistance, please contact us at:
Executive Director
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: (785) 242-1411
Maps
Directions
Franklin County Directions
Location and Directions:
These directions and maps show how Franklin County is conveniently located 40 miles southwest of Kansas City, Mo., right off Interstate 35 exits 198-170! Franklin County is surrounded by the counties of Douglas (to the north), Johnson County (to the northeast), Miami (to the east), Osage (to the west), Coffey (to the southwest), Anderson (to the south) and Linn (to the southeast).
I-35 Exits:
- 170 — Williamsburg and Pomona
- 176 — Homewood
- 182 — Old Highway 50 and Eisenhower Road in Ottawa
- 183 — U.S. 59 (south to Garnett)
- 185 — 15th Street in Ottawa
- 187 — K-68 (Visitor Information Center exit)
- 188 — U.S. 59 (north to Lawrence)
- 193 — Tennessee Road (LeLoup)
- 198 — K-33 Highway (Wellsville)
Geography:
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Franklin County has a total area of 577 square miles, of which 572 square miles is land and 5.4 square miles is water.
Communities:
Incorporated cities in Franklin County include Lane, Ottawa, Pomona, Princeton, Rantoul, Richmond, Wellsville and Williamsburg. Unincorporated areas include Centropolis, Homewood, Imes, LeLoup, Norwood, Peoria, Ransomville and Richter. The county is divided into 16 townships.
Distance:
Just passing through? Track your miles from Ottawa to:
- Chicago … 460
- Dallas … 412
- Denver … 589
- Kansas City … 40
- Minneapolis … 447
- Oklahoma City … 298
- St. Louis … 300
Area Facts
Franklin County was established in 1855 as District 5 in the State of Kansas for voting purposes and named in honor of the legendary Benjamin Franklin.
There is something for everyone in Ottawa and Franklin County. Conveniently located just 45 minutes southwest of Kansas City, 20 minutes south of Lawrence and less than an hour from Topeka and Emporia. Ottawa is a growing community of approximately 13,000 that has become a popular destination for day trips and for weary travelers looking for a convenient stop outside the metro area with less traffic and noise. Enjoy our county…below are some of the area facts.
Move Here
Would you like to move here? Franklin County is a great place to live, work, play and retire. CNN Money Magazine named Ottawa as one of the “Top 5 Best Places to Retire” for small towns in 2012.
What We Offer:
We have everything from wonderful antique shops and great furniture stores to a fabulous quilt shop with everything you ever will need. We offer superb dining options, including one of the best places for barbecue ribs in the Heartland! People who visit and live in Franklin County continually marvel at our friendly nature, rural charm, rich history and late 19th and early 20th century Victorian architecture. Throughout the year, our communities host a number of exciting events, including the SWAN Arts Festival, Power of the Past Antique Engine and Tractor Show and Ol’ Marais River Run Car Show, just to name a few.
The following links are provided as a service to both current and potential residents and tourists. The Franklin County CVB makes no claim to the accuracy of the websites below and their information.
Communities
Ottawa, KS
Ottawa, KS

Wellsville, KS
Wellsville, KS

Lane, KS
Lane, KS

Centropolis, KS
Centropolis, KS

Williamsburg, KS
Williamsburg, KS

Appanoose, KS
Appanoose, KS

Rantoul, KS
Rantoul, KS

Richmond, KS
Richmond, KS

Princeton, KS
Princeton, KS

Pamona, KS
Pamona, KS
