Grenola is located in southwestern Elk [EK] County just south of US 160 . The town is nestled in the valley of the Big Caney river.  The dirt road down this valley from Grenola to Cedar Vale is beautiful in spots; get a good map first.  Downtown has a nice wide brick main street with playground equipment and horseshoe lanes in a small park.
 
When you get down to Grenola, check out Freedom Park Recreation Area just west of the gazebo. This was built with donated funds and volunteer labor. It is a large court for tennis, basketball, shuffleboard, skating, etc. A stone marker commemorates Grenola men lost while fighting for our country during time of war. This has all been completed during 2002.
 
A manufacturer of airplane parts started a factory in the old school during 1996 so the future looks brighter.

History

LONGHORN CATTLE DRIVE 1881 TO 1884 GRENOLA, KANSAS BECAME THE LARGEST SINGLE CATTLE SHIPPING POINT IN THE UNITED STATES.   THE "SOUTHERN KANSAS RAILROAD" WAS BUILT BETWEEN THE TWO SMALL TOWNS OF CANOLA AND GREENFIELD ABOUT 6 MI. APART. THE TWO TOWNS CLOSED RANKS AND TOOK GRENOLA AS THE CITY NAME USING THE "GRE" FROM GREENFIELD AND "NOLA" FROM CANOLA. AS THIS WAS ABOUT 75 MI. SHORTER DRIVE FOR THE CATTLE, DROVES BEGAN COMING IN   - Stone marker in downtown Grenola

 Grenola Memories .

Schools

• USD 462 Central of Burden (620) 438-2218
  Serving Burden, Atlanta, Grenola, & Cambridge
  700 N. Main / P.O. Box 128 / Burden, KS 67019
   
  
• In addition, many students attend school in
  USD 282, West Elk District   (620) 374-2113
  that serves Howard, Moline, and Elk Falls.

  West Elk High School   S. Highway 99, Howard / (620) 374-2147

Library Hours Monday 4-7 Wednesday 2-6 Saturday 1-4

Libraries

• Grenola Public Library
  P. O. Box 131
  Grenola, KS 67346

Museums

• Grain Elevator Museum   (620) 358-3241
  Located at the north end of downtown on Main Street, by the tracks.

Places to visit in Grenola

Section of the Grenola Mural

• Grenola has a recently restored stone gazebo that is the local pride and joy.
• There's a nice mural on the wall of the community building showing scenes from Grenola's history.  This building contains an auditorium and stage used for plays and large gatherings.
• There's an old bank building with brick columns made with rounded bricks.  It was falling apart and looked like it wouldn't be preserved, but, wonder of wonders, it has been restored and now houses a restaurant, True Grit Cafe, with interesting snippets of Grenola's history at each table.

True Grit Cafe and Farmer's State Bank (1883) restored by owner Ben Freeman

Businesses

• Grenolabar and Sundry   (620) 358-3711 / 129 South Main
  Open daily 7:00am-9:00pm except Sunday 10:00am to 2:00pm
   
• Watch for the new B&B: The 1883 building next to the Cafe was the original Grenola State Bank.  It is being restored to be used as a bed and breakfast.  The front has been painted and has stained glass windows.
   
• Brown's Auto & Tire Repair   (620) 358-3872 / 210 N. Cana (One block west of Main Street) Hours: Monday through Friday 8:00am to 5:00pm
   
• Custom Stone Carving   (620) 2302 / 410 N. Walnut (Two blocks east of Main Street) Open by appointment
   
• Family Tree meats Custom butchering & processing; Deer butchering & processing   (620) 358-3838 / 2122 Road 6 (4 miles south of Grenola) Hours: Monday through Friday 9:00am to 4:00pm. Owned by the Kessinger Family
   
• Bannister Financial Services   (620) 358-3842 (leave message) / 111 South Main B   Hours: By appointment
   
• Simple Treasures Gift Shop Handmade crafts & custom sewing   (620) 358-3835 / 111 South Main A   Hours: Open Saturdays, 8:00am to 5:00pm
   
• Grenola Senior Center Friendship meals, Meals on Wheels, and custom hand quilting   (620) 358-3601 / 108 South Main A   Hours: Monday through Friday 7:00am to 1:30pm
   
• Futhey Skid Loader & Tree Clipping   (620) 358-2241 / 200 East Willow
   
• BCK Transport LLC   (620) 358-2233 / 765 Road 8
   
• Kelly Manufacturing Company   (620) 358-3826 / 311 N. Cana
   
• Avon Products   (620) 358-2831   Carolyn Hill
   
• Caney River Concrete Sidewalks, basements, all forms of concrete   (620) 358-3702
   
• Eaglehead Outfitters Hunting lodge & guide service   (620) 358-3362
   
• Elmer's Antique & Tractor Repair   (620) 358-3378 / 112 South Main
   

References

• Elk County Historical Society. Elk County ( 1979 )

Government

City Hall & Library  

• City Hall   (620) 358-2860
• Post Office   (620) 358-2501

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