QUENEMO
Nestled along the Marais des Cygnes River in Osage County, Quenemo carries a rich history as meaningful as its name, which honors a respected Sac and Fox Native American chief who once lived in these lands. Today, this close-knit community of about 288 residents embodies the heart of small-town Kansas, where neighbors know each other by name and the spirit of its railroad town heritage lives on through its historic downtown and community gatherings. From its early days as a bustling livestock and grain shipping point to its present role as a quiet refuge from city life, Quenemo continues to write its story as a place where small-town values and friendly faces make everyone feel at home.
THINGS TO DO
In the heart of Quenemo at N 4th St, their Community Center serves as both gathering place and memory keeper, hosting everything from senior dinners and youth activities to town meetings and celebrations that bring our whole community together. Learn more.
Community Building
PLACES TO WORSHIP
Quenemo Baptist Church
203 S. 5th St (785) 759-3513
The story of Quenemo began with the rich traditions of the Sac and Fox Nation, whose respected chief Quenemo lent his name to this special place along the Marais des Cygnes River. Established in 1870 during Kansas's railroad boom, the town quickly became a vital shipping point for the region's farmers and ranchers, and despite early setbacks—including a devastating fire in 1878—the arrival of two major railroads sparked a period of growth and prosperity that saw this modest prairie settlement transform into a thriving community where the pioneering spirit of its namesake chief lives on through generations of residents who've called these rolling hills home.
