A historic sidewalk between two communities, the history of coal mining and a 150-acre lake: Crawford can be explored through a wide range of discoveries. Culture, trails and landscapes each offer a different perspective on the region.
Mining History from Several Perspectives
The Miners Hall Museum preserves and shares the history of coal mining and the diverse immigrant culture of southeast Kansas. Its research center contains information about local mining communities, strikes and labor reforms. This offers a perspective that extends from the communities to the social conflicts and changes in working life.
The Crawford County Historical Museum preserves a tangible object from the area's history: a Marion Model #37 Steam Shovel. In Pittsburg, the large Miners Memorial also honors the region's coal miners and mining history. The museum, historic equipment and memorial offer different ways to explore the same subject: through people's stories, a preserved object and public remembrance.
The Girard History Museum also connects a distinctive building history with local heritage. It is housed in the former St. John's Episcopal Church, built in 1888. The building features an impressive oak ceiling and stained-glass windows from the late 19th century; the exhibits explore Girard's socialist history. Architecture and social history stand side by side here, without one replacing the other.
Historic Trails and Tours
The Franklin/Arma Sidewalk is 1.7 miles long and was built in 1936. It connects Franklin and Arma, runs along the Frontier Military Scenic Byway and is listed on the state and national registers of historic places. It is also considered the longest sidewalk connecting two communities. Its significance lies both in linking the towns and in its historic status.
The Pittsburg State University campus tour offers a different kind of walk: it starts and ends at Russ Hall and includes 28 points of interest. The complete loop is 2.6 miles in standard mode and can take up to two hours at a leisurely walking pace. Compared with the Franklin/Arma Sidewalk, the routes differ not only in their history but also in length and layout: one connects two communities, while the other loops around campus.
Water, Nature and Recreation
Crawford State Park is home to a 150-acre lake built by members of the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. Redbud trees, colorful wildflowers, birds and butterflies are also part of the park's landscape. Those interested in the lake's history will find a direct connection to the work of the Civilian Conservation Corps in how it was created.
The lake has a swimming beach, and boating is a popular activity at Crawford State Park. Another option is the challenging mountain biking trail, which runs for seven miles around the entire lake. This makes it possible to choose between activities on the water and a longer bike ride without treating the routes as interchangeable.
Art and Events in Pittsburg
Downtown Pittsburg combines historic charm with a lively arts scene. The Pittsburg ArtWalk showcases visual art by local artists twice a year, including two- and three-dimensional works and performance art. Pittsburg's annual 4th of July Festival features arts and crafts, live music, children's activities and a fireworks display in Lincoln Park.
Events announced for the 2026 Little Balkans Weekend in Pittsburg include an exhibit by the Little Balkans Quilt Guild, a street dance and live music at the Pittsburg Farmers’ Market. Little Balkans Days celebrates the community's European ethnic heritage in Pittsburg. If you want to plan your trip around an event, check the latest dates in advance.
Explore more destinations: Pittsburg, Sumner County, Pawnee, Norton County, Riley County, Harper County, Ellis County, Grant
For the main travel overview: Kansas.
