Ottawa, Kansas 2025

Ottawa is a city situated in the north-central part of Franklin County, Kansas, in the central United States. As of the 2020 census, the population of Ottawa was 12,645.

Samuel D. Parker founded Ottawa in 1864 on the north bank of the Marais des Cygnes River. Ottawa was named after the Ottawa Indians, who were part of the Illinois Confederation. There were "tented" sales and public meetings in the middle of the city, which was a large open square. As a result, downtown Ottawa is still a major commercial district. On May 27, 1868, the town company founded Ottawa University.

Ottawa, Kansas, is rich in history, parks, and shops. It is the location of the annual Fall Festival, hosted each September by its loyal local residents. Residents pride themselves on being a part of the community where "family and friends gather.

Ottawa's downtown area is a favorite attraction in itself and has become renowned for its own charm. Several specialty shops, restaurants, antique stores, and art galleries can be found there. In addition, the downtown area is home to the historic Plaza Cinema Theatre, which screens newly released films and hosts the Plaza Film Festival, as well as the Ottawa Municipal Auditorium, which hosts community events, festivals, and other activities throughout the year.

For nature lovers, Ottawa boasts 73 acres of park area in which to enjoy a picnic, a stroll, or a game of disc golf. The new splash pad at Ottawa's North Park offers a cool respite on sweltering summer days, while the Nature Center has live animals, interactive exhibits, and weekend programming open to the public. Golf enthusiasts can play one or both of Ottawa's two 9-hole golf courses. On the south side of town, Riverview Mini Golf and Paddle Boats, located along the Marais des Cygnes River,, offer a beautiful view of the river and surrounding countryside. The extensive paved bike and walking trail surrounding the river runs through the east side of Ottawa and is used for running, biking, and walkjogging. The Franklin County Fairgrounds, located one mile north of Ottawa, hosts events throughout the year, including a county fair every July. Finally, the Ottawa Historical Society Museum and Research Library has a rich collection of artifacts, photographs, and newspapers that chronicle Ottawa and Franklin County's history. In the surrounding countryside, old mines and Indian mounds can be found, and bald eagles, white-tailed deer, turkeys, blue herons, ducks, and geese are common sights. Nearby the former Santa Fe Trail stretches between the towns of Lane, Richland, and Dry Creek. Stull, Richland, Princeton, Douglas, Wakarusa, and Williamsburg still contain small general stores, cemeteries, churches, or school ruins, In the northeastern part of the county is Wellsville, the oldest community in Kansas.

Due to its prime location northwest of Kansas City, Kansas, and the intersection of two major highways, US 59 and I-35, Ottawa is ideal for a multi-day getaway or a day trip.

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