The Brief

Erie, Kansas has maintained the Old Soldiers and Sailors Reunion for 153 consecutive years, making it the longest continuous military celebration in the United States.Founded in 1866 after the Civil War, Erie was established as an affordable place for veterans to purchase land and reconnect with fellow soldiers.The town combines its military heritage with modern attractions including a dinosaur park, local businesses, and community initiatives like a scavenger hunt that celebrates everyday details residents often overlook.

ERIE, Kan. (KOAM) — A small Kansas town is proving that history doesn’t fade away. Erie has kept a military tradition alive for more than 150 years, drawing visitors back to a place where veterans once found refuge and community members continue to celebrate their shared past.

Founded in 1866 after the Civil War, Erie emerged as a destination for veterans seeking affordable land and the chance to reunite with fellow soldiers. The town’s origins reflect a deliberate mission to support those returning from war.

“There was some men from Pennsylvania and they were from Erie. And then, so someone said, well, that looks like Lake Erie right there,” said Patsy Richey, a Memerie Museum volunteer who helps preserve the town’s history.

The affordable land drew settlers and veterans who worked to build new lives. Those early connections evolved into something remarkable: the Old Soldiers and Sailors Reunion, a tradition that has endured for 153 consecutive years.

“This last year was 153 years. We can prove we are the longest continuous military celebration in the United States. And if anyone wants to contest that, they can come up here and see us, because we can document every bit of that,” Richey said.

The reunion began as a way for Civil War veterans to gather and process their experiences together. The gatherings included a distinctive tradition that remains central to the event today.

“Their form of counseling, they’d get over, come over and talk about it, all their battles and their experiences. But they always had beans because that was just one of the staples that the Civil War soldiers ate all the time,” Richey explained.

Today, the Old Soldiers and Sailors Reunion runs for a full week during the second week of July each year. The event features rodeo activities for children, parades, meals, and a street dance. On Friday night, organizers distribute 1,200 pounds of beans on the courthouse steps—a nod to the tradition that began more than a century ago.

Beyond its military heritage, Erie offers residents and visitors a variety of attractions and businesses. The town features a pharmacy, plumbing shop, golf course with a restaurant, and a beautiful park that includes a dinosaur park. The Dollar General serves as a convenient shopping option for locals.

One of Erie’s most distinctive features is its Freedom Rock, the first of its kind in Kansas. The rock was painted by Ray “Bubba” Sorensen from Iowa, and it represents part of a larger movement across 12 states.

“First freedom Rock in the state of Kansas, which was painted by Bubba Sorensen from Iowa. And, there are 12 states that have the freedom Rock in it, but we are the first from Kansas, and we’re very proud of it,” said Linda Weidert, Chamber of Commerce President.

Weidert has also spearheaded a community scavenger hunt that began nearly 10 years ago. The project encourages residents to see their town with fresh eyes by photographing everyday details they typically overlook.

“Up here at the gas station, there’s some, vent tubes coming out of the ground. So I got down on the ground and took a picture this way. Looked like they were really tall,” Weidert said, describing one of the scavenger hunt challenges.

The initiative reflects a broader effort by community leaders to foster connection and pride in Erie. According to Weidert, the town’s welcoming atmosphere draws people back and encourages new residents to stay.

“Everybody likes to come back home. And if you notice the sign out on the highway, it says where you belong,” Weidert said.

That sense of belonging extends to visitors who pass through town. One business owner chose to open his shop in Erie specifically because of the community’s warmth.

“We had one man come into town, opened up a business, and he said the reason he chose Erie is because when he drove down Main Street, people waved at him,” Weidert noted.

While Erie may appear small from the highway, where a convenience store is the first thing visitors see, the heart of the community lies downtown. The combination of military history, local businesses, community events, and genuine hospitality creates a destination where people feel they belong—a place where history and heart intersect.

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