This 135 year-old, seven-gable stone country inn, located 15 minutes southwest of the Kansas capital city of Topeka, is just over an hour from Kansas City and two hours from Wichita.

The first part of the Sage Inn was built in 1865 at the edge of the Kansas Flint Hills to offer food and lodging to travelers on the Southwest Trail, which joined the Oregon Trail at Topeka, KS to the Santa Fe Trail at Council Grove, KS. Behind the Inn was one of only two fords over Mission Creek, (then called American Chief Creek for the Kanza Indian Chief's village nearby). Beyond the inn were miles of rolling Flint Hills and Kansas prairie.

Logo - Kansas History Museum

In 1878, when the Inn was expanded to the size it is today, it included a livery, corral for horses, ice house and blacksmith shop. The stagecoach carried freight, mail and passengers to other destinations. 

The Sage Inn features 18-inch thick limestone walls, a colonial-era standing seam metal roof, and wide plank pine floors. It is a full three story structure built into the side of a hill, giving it a two-story appearance from the front. The seven bedroom and 6 1/2 bath Victorian has been completely restored and appointed with antique furnishings. 

A large limestone patio and stairway have been added to the back and north end garden areas, along with a fountain pond and front yard waterfall.  The rock came from the same local quarry as that used in the original structure.

Last Revised:  10/24/2011

Webmaster: TK