Welcome to Mitchell County, and thanks for discovering parts of our county through Geocaching!!! Mitchell County Geocache Trail is a group of 12 geocaches placed to highlight some of the unique and historical places in Mitchell County. Mitchell County has tons of unique places and small towns that each have their unique history and flair. Complete 10 of 12 locations, gathering stamps and send back your card to the Tourism Office for a cool prize for taking some time exploring the county. Prizes will vary depending on the time of year. All locations will contain a stamp for you to put on your trail card in the appropriate location to show that you visited the site.
See more about the trail at Https://www.Discovermitchellcounty.com/Geotrail
Please share your adventure on Facebook and other social media sites, tagging us and using some of the following tags - #MitchellGeotrail, #Discoverourtreasures, #DiscoverMitchellCounty
The Waconda Springs Replica at Glen Elder State Park pays tribute to a former site of Kansas geology and Native American history. A short hike takes you to the top of the scenic bluff. The park is located on the northern shore of Glen Elder Reservoir, also called Waconda Lake. As part of a flood control effort, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation began building the lake’s dam across the Solomon River in 1964, and it was completed in 1968.
The resulting lake covered what once was an active mineral spring called Waconda Springs. The spring’s pool was said to be 50 feet in diameter, 15 feet deep, and rich in a variety of minerals. Waconda Springs was a sacred, ceremonial gathering place for many of the Native American tribes that lived in the central plains. Kanza tribe members reportedly called the springs “Wakonda,” meaning “Great Spirit.” It was later the site of a limestone hotel, which also used the medicinal water of the Springs. The replica is located just west of the historic Hopewell Church. Educational signage includes Native American History and periods, explorers, the Waconda Springs Health Resort, and the building of the Glen Elder Dam. Waconda Visitor and Education Center (small museum) is also in the State Park