MAIN STREET. PAXICO. KANSAS. 66526. 

INTERSTATE 70. EXIT 333.

A TOWN OF 200, BECOMES A NATION OF THOUSANDS.

“The tallgrass prairie reminds us how we should think about the life that surrounds us. Spring brings the fires, the solid hopeful green of new grass, the booming of mating prairie-chickens in the Flint Hills. Our old habits of seeing find in all of this a familiar simplicity, the kind you push past on your way to a more human future. But in the ancient prairie itself—in its diversity, its coherence, its community, its capacity for regeneration—
there is a new way of seeing waiting to be found”.
National Geographic Magazine

Set at the foot of the scenic and historic Flint Hills, you will not find a more beautiful and serene destination for a festival. Visitors come from around the world to take in the breathtaking views and explore this one of a kind ecosystem. Paxico is conveniently located directly between Topeka and Manhattan, less than an hour from Lawrence, and a gorgeous hour and a half drive from Kansas City. In addition to the fest, Paxico offers shopping, camping, art galleries, a winery, and so much more. 

HISTORY: Located at the foot of the Flint Hills of Kansas, Paxico's history actually begins with Newbury township, which is located just outside the city limits. The Santa Fe Railroad was selling
Potawatomie reserve land at $5 an acre and up; in 1869 four industrious Germans purchased
acreage to lay out the township of Newbury. Eventually, the community grew to include about a
dozen houses and various businesses including a drug store, variety store and lumber yard.

Meanwhile, William and Robert Strowig in 1879 constructed a mill on land purchased from an
old Indian medicine man called Pashqua. After a store and post office were established near the
bustling mill, this site (about 1 mile from Newbury) came to be known as "Paxico," after the
medicine man. You can still see Pashqua's profile today on many Paxico-branded items.

The mid 1880's witnessed a struggle between the communities of Paxico and Newbury to woo the
Rock Island railroad. Paxico eventually prevailed; the old depot can still be seen at the Mill Creek
Campgrounds site. The town was officially laid out in 1886 and promoted by a Topeka concern.

Paxico always had a rich history of music, early on The Paxico Band involved many members
of the community. In the 1930's there was even a mill levy in place to support the band financially. We learn from early records that "only a suggestion was needed and the band was there to play."

More of Paxico's history can be found in a volume entitled "The Early History of Wabaunsee County." Paxico also features an art studio, campground and RV park and winery gift shop.

On peaceful Mill Creek, visitors enjoy fishing, swimming, canoeing and taking in the
local wildlife. And the Mill Creek-Skyline Scenic Drive is ideal for a country cruise through the
rolling prairies and farmlands of the beautiful Flint Hills.