Explore Crawford County
Explore Crawford County in Southeast Kansas: Pittsburg, Girard, Frontenac, Arma, Franklin, Mulberry, Cherokee, McCune, Walnut, Arcadia, Hepler & Chicopee.
Jefferson Highway Garage in Crawford County in Southeast Kansas - Photo: ExploreCrawfordCounty.com
What do thousands of gorilla statues, 90-year-old fried chicken recipes, and coal-mining history have in common? They all converge in Southeast Kansas, where Explore Crawford County is your guide to the original “Pine to Palm” highway.
Follow original alignments, century-old iron bridges, and Lincoln Park Campground, once an official campsite for early highway travelers. In downtown Pittsburg, the Jefferson Highway Garage is believed to be the last building on the highway with its original sign, and in 2026 the city celebrates its 150th anniversary.
Then stay for legendary fried chicken at Chicken Annie’s and Chicken Mary’s, murals, and the gorilla statues of “Gorilla Nation.”
On Big Blend Radio
Chris Wilson, Marketing & Communications for Explore Crawford County and Treasurer of Southeast Kansas Tourism joins Big Blend Radio's Jefferson Highway Podcast (June 2026). Travel the original Jefferson Highway through Crawford County as Chris shares stories about historic road alignments, original concrete pavement, century-old iron bridges, Lincoln Park's Jefferson Highway campsite, and the remarkable preservation efforts taking place throughout the region. The conversation also explores Pittsburg's rich coal mining heritage, the famous Amazon Army march, Big Brutus, colorful murals, public art, museums, genealogy research, and the diverse immigrant cultures that helped shape Southeast Kansas. Discover why the area is famous for its legendary fried chicken restaurants, live music, local breweries, scenic backroads, and authentic small-town experiences.
Plan Your Visit:
Explore Crawford County
From mining to gorillas, Southeast Kansas is not like the rest of the state!
117 W 4th St, Pittsburg, KS 66762
Tel: 1-620-231-1212
Web: explorecrawfordcounty.com
Photo: The bronze gorilla at Champions Plaza, Pittsburg State University, by sculptor Tom Corbin. Unveiled October 11, 2014. Photo courtesy Explore Crawford County.