Your ghost town road trip to Volland, Kansas rewards you with more than empty streets. You’ll find a beautifully restored 1913 brick store that’s now a working art gallery, one family still calling the town home, and scenic Kansas backroads connecting you to nearby ghost towns like Templin, Keene, and Vera. It’s just eight miles from Alma and easy to reach from Paxico via Highway K-4. Stick around—there’s a full loop worth planning.
Key Takeaways
- Volland, Kansas, is a historic ghost town in Wabaunsee County, shaped by the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway in the late 1800s.
- From Alma, head east toward Highway K-4; from Paxico, travel west along K-4, reaching Volland in under 20 minutes.
- The restored Volland Store, a two-story brick building, now serves as a working art gallery with rotating exhibits.
- Nearby ghost towns Templin, Keene, and Vera make excellent additions to extend your road trip itinerary.
- Visit during golden hour, early morning, or late afternoon for the best photography of Volland’s historic architecture and landscapes.
What Makes Volland, Kansas Worth the Drive?
When most ghost towns offer little more than a weathered foundation and overgrown lots, Volland surprises you with something genuinely alive.
Platted by the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway along Mill Creek, Volland history stretches back to the late 1800s, when the railroad shaped this small Washington Township community.
What sets Volland apart today is its community engagement. Alma residents restored the iconic two-story brick building into a working art gallery, the Volland Store, transforming a relic into a destination.
One family still calls the town home, and preservation efforts continue actively.
You’re not just driving through abandoned silence here. You’re stepping into a place where history and creative energy intersect, making Volland one of Wabaunsee County’s most rewarding and unexpected road trip stops.
How to Get to Volland From Alma or Paxico
Tucked eight miles from Alma in Wabaunsee County, Volland sits along the former Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad line, and reaching it’s straightforward whether you’re coming from Alma or Paxico.
From Alma, head east and follow the roads toward Highway K-4, arriving at this quiet stretch of Volland history in under 20 minutes.
From Alma, head east toward Highway K-4 and reach Volland’s quiet history in under 20 minutes.
From Paxico, travel west along K-4, and you’ll spot Volland roughly five and a half miles before Dover.
Both routes reward you with open Kansas landscapes before dropping you into one of the region’s most compelling ghost town preservation stories.
Keep your eyes on the south side for the restored brick Volland Store, your unmistakable landmark confirming you’ve arrived at this uniquely active, beautifully preserved piece of Kansas railroad heritage.
What’s Left of Volland and Where to Find It
Volland doesn’t offer much to the eye at first glance, but what remains tells a surprisingly layered story if you know where to look.
On the north side, you’ll spot four houses, though only some appear occupied. The south side is where the real historical significance lives — a beautifully restored two-story brick building now operates as the Volland Store art gallery, a reflection of community efforts by Alma residents who transformed an abandoned structure into something essential.
One family still calls Volland home, making it an active place rather than a forgotten shell.
Walk both sides of the old railroad corridor, take your time with the gallery, and you’ll leave understanding exactly why preservation-minded travelers keep putting this tiny Kansas stop on their maps.
Inside the Volland Store: Exhibits, Hours, and What to See
Once inside the Volland Store, you’ll find a beautifully restored two-story brick building that now showcases rotating art exhibits curated by Alma residents passionate about preserving the space.
Before you make the trip, check thevollandstore.com for current exhibit details, visiting hours, and any special events that might shape your plans.
You’ll want to visit during daylight to fully appreciate both the artwork inside and the historic architecture that makes this former general store unlike any other gallery you’ve encountered.
Current Art Exhibits
Although the [KNOWLEDGE] base doesn’t include specific details about current exhibits, hours, or featured artists, the Volland Store‘s restored two-story brick building has become a thriving art gallery anchoring this otherwise quiet Wabaunsee County ghost town.
Before visiting, check thevollandstore.com for current exhibits and local artists showcasing their work inside this remarkable space.
Here’s what you can expect when planning your visit:
- Rotating exhibits featuring regional and local artists that change seasonally
- A beautifully restored interior that blends historic architecture with contemporary art displays
- Photography opportunities inside and outside the iconic two-story brick structure
You’ll want to visit during daylight hours to fully appreciate both the artwork and the building’s stunning restoration, which Alma residents brought back to life.
Visiting Hours And Access
Planning your visit around the gallery’s hours makes all the difference between a rewarding stop and a locked door. Before hitting the road, check thevollandstore.com for current hours and seasonal schedules, since rural galleries don’t always keep predictable times.
Gallery access is straightforward once you’re on Highway K-4, roughly five and a half miles west of Dover. The restored two-story brick building stands prominently on the south side of town, impossible to miss.
A few visiting tips worth remembering: arrive during daylight, bring a camera, and allow extra time to explore the north side houses nearby.
Cell service can be spotty this far out, so download directions beforehand. Freedom-seekers who plan ahead consistently get the most out of Volland’s quiet, unhurried atmosphere.
Ghost Towns Within a Short Drive of Volland
Volland doesn’t stand alone in Wabaunsee County‘s rich collection of ghost towns, and a short drive in any direction reveals more forgotten settlements worth exploring.
Each nearby site carries its own story, giving you a fuller picture of the region’s past.
- Templin history stretches back to an 1873 post office, located five miles northeast of Alta Vista before closing in 1904.
- Keene exploration rewards curious travelers along Highway K-4, where a relocated town once thrived with a post office from 1877 to 1901.
- Vera sits four miles east of Paxico along the old Rock Island Railroad, operating a post office from 1889 to 1904.
String these stops together, and you’ve built a road trip worth every mile.
Best Time to Visit Volland for Photos and Open Gallery Hours
When you’re chasing the perfect shot of Wabaunsee County’s most striking ghost town, timing makes all the difference. Visit during golden hour—early morning or late afternoon—for the best lighting on the Volland Store’s iconic brick facade.
Soft, angled sunlight reveals texture and depth that midday harsh light simply flattens.
Chasing golden light transforms ordinary facades into layered stories that flat midday sun simply cannot tell.
For gallery hours, check thevollandstore.com before heading out, since the restored art space operates on a seasonal schedule. Arriving on open gallery days lets you combine photography tips with an interior visit, capturing both the building’s historic shell and its current artistic life.
Weekdays typically mean fewer visitors, giving you unobstructed angles on the north side houses and south side gallery.
Bring a wide-angle lens—Volland’s quiet, open landscape rewards expansive framing.
A One-Day Ghost Town Loop Using Volland as Your Base
Using Volland as your anchor point, you can string together a compact ghost town loop through Wabaunsee County that covers surprising ground in a single day.
Volland history gives you context before you hit the road, making each stop feel connected rather than random. Local legends from these forgotten communities add texture to every mile.
From Volland, build your loop around these three stops:
- Vera – four miles east of Paxico along the old Rock Island Railroad corridor
- Keene – just off Highway K-4, roughly 1.5 miles from Volland near its historic cemetery
- Templin – five miles northeast of Alta Vista, a quick detour worth taking
Keep your route flexible, move at your own pace, and let curiosity drive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was Volland Ever Considered for Incorporation as an Official Kansas City?
you won’t find records of incorporation efforts. Its ghost town significance lies in its railroad roots, never evolving beyond a small settlement platted by Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway.
Are Pets Allowed on the Volland Store Art Gallery Premises?
The knowledge doesn’t specify pet policies for the Volland Store art gallery. You’ll want to contact them directly at thevollandstore.com to confirm gallery etiquette rules before bringing your furry companion along!
Can Visitors Legally Enter the Abandoned Houses on Volland’s North Side?
You shouldn’t enter the abandoned houses on Volland’s north side without permission, as trespassing laws apply even to ghost town history sites. Admire the abandoned architecture respectfully from outside, keeping your exploration both safe and legal.
Is There Any Camping or Overnight Accommodation Near Volland?
Like a blank canvas awaiting your story, Volland’s surrounding area doesn’t offer direct camping options, but you’ll find nearby attractions in Alma, eight miles away, where overnight accommodations let you freely explore this enchanting ghost town.
Who Currently Owns the Land Where Volland’s Remaining Structures Stand?
The knowledge doesn’t specify who owns Volland’s land, but you’ll find its historical significance fascinating. One family’s presence and active land ownership keep this ghost town’s remaining structures alive with preserved freedom and purpose.
References
- https://flinthillsspecial.com/tag/volland/
- https://hcsghosttowns.wordpress.com/2021/08/21/volland-kansas/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtNS0l-JC_A
- https://wabaunseecomuseum.org/tag/volland/
- https://legendsofkansas.com/wabaunsee-county-extinct-towns/
- https://www.ghosttowns.com/states/ks/volland.html
