Cawker City, Kansas 67430
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    • Ball of Twine >
      • Ball of Twine Triva
      • Twine-a-thon Video
    • Cawker CIty Museum
    • Lakeside Park & Golf
    • Waconda Lake
  • History
    • Cawker CIty Museum
    • Claire Windsor, Silent Movie Actress
    • Lincoln Park, Historical Places in Kansas
    • Musical Art
    • Waconda Springs
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Waconda Lake

Cawker City and Waconda Lake (also known as Glen Elder Reservoir) is very visitor friendly.  The many miles that surround the lake offer camping, boating, hunting, and fishing areas that are easily accessed from various locations. Most specifically, Glen Elder State Park located along the northeast corner of the lake, just 5 miles east of Cawker City, provides all types of facilities including toilets and both primitive and modern camping hookups (electricity & water). A marina a and fish cleaning station are also available.  

One of the Kansas' premier hunting and fishing locations, the Glen Elder Wildlife Area consists of 13,000 land acres and 12,586 water acres.    The lake and area are rich in history and legend which extend into the lake's namesake -- Waconda.  Becoming familiar with Waconda's heritage will enrich your visit.  No matter what your desire, our back yard will satisfy you with many memorable outdoor experiences.

Based on both fact and legend, Waconda Lake inherited its name from a  well-known, historical site named Waconda Springs. The Springs was located about half-way between Glen Elder and Cawker City, 3/4 of a mile south of old U.S. Highway 24. This natural occurring mineral springs was an interesting attraction on the plains of north central Kansas.

Its pool basin was set in a 300-foot-wide mound rising 40 feet above the surrounding Solomon  River Valley. The Spring's pool was 50 feet in diameter and 15 feet deep, although the myth suggests that the pool was  bottomless. The water contained calcium, magnesium, iron, silica, sodium chloride, sulfate, and bicarbonate. Geologists thought that the mound was formed by the deposits of minerals forced up by artesian pressure deep underground.

The Springs from which legend evolved, was a highly esteemed ceremonial gathering place sacred to the plains Indians. Later, it became a health resort for settlers and local residents until Lake Waconda covered the site.
City of Cawker City 
804 Locust Street
Cawker City, KS  67430
  • Denelle Mick, City Clerk
  • cawcty@nckcn.com
  • 785-781-4713

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Cawker City was declared an incorporated city
on March 20, 1884, by Mayor Joel Holt.
Welcome to Cawker City, Kansas  67430  -- Home of the World's Largest Ball of Twine!
​Site Updated: 02-27-21
​​​Website by Limestone9Consulting.com

Cawker City was founded in 1870 by E.H. Cawker, the result of a poker game between the original ​founders ​of the community ​​and their disagreement on naming the town. Cawker City is proud of its history and farming heritage.
  • Home
    • Site Map
  • City Office
    • City Info
    • Useful Phone Numbers
    • Payments, Permits, Zoning
    • City Library
    • City Plot Maps
    • City Ordinances ​
  • Businesses
  • Organizations
    • Churches
    • Community Club
    • Genealogical Society
    • Historical Society
    • Housing Authority
    • Senior Nutrition Center
  • Attractions
    • Ball of Twine >
      • Ball of Twine Triva
      • Twine-a-thon Video
    • Cawker CIty Museum
    • Lakeside Park & Golf
    • Waconda Lake
  • History
    • Cawker CIty Museum
    • Claire Windsor, Silent Movie Actress
    • Lincoln Park, Historical Places in Kansas
    • Musical Art
    • Waconda Springs
  • Links
  • Locate Us