Caldwell, Kansas: Ornate Box Turtle Capital of the World

If you want to see bland, everyday box turtles, go somewhere else.

Caldwell, Ornate Box Turtle Capital of the World

My family drove through Caldwell during Christmas vacation, 2012. The town has a museum that we were told had the history of the turtle, but it was closed. A man at a convenience store told us that the town seldom had big celebrations like it did back in the 1980s and 1990s. He said that most of those that wanted to make Caldwell an attraction because of the turtle no longer plan such events. A woman at the same store told us (once the man had left) that some of the townspeople were afraid the turtle would become more popular than the town's Old West history, and did not want that to happen. We found that strange. We did not see any live turtles!

[John Sakan Family, 01/31/2013]

Ornate Box Turtle Capital of the World

The last time I was in Caldwell, Kansas the beautiful painting of the Ornate Box Turtle was still on the side of a building on Main Street. The town has two museums which have a variety of interesting items in regard to the town, including information about the turtle.

[Larry L. Miller, 01/28/2009]

Ornate Box Turtle Capital of the World

The Ornate Box Turtle Capital of the World is far from dead! Caldwell, Kansas is very proud of its history, and part of that history is the fame it has gained by being known as the ORNATE BOX TURTLE CAPITAL OF THE WORLD since 1986.

The town has a lot of wild west history too! I was told that at one time in the 1870's this wild cow town had more prostitutes per capita than anywhere else on earth! Fights and gunfights often took place on the streets of Caldwell. Two museums in town document the history. They are open by appointment. A man by the name of Carson Ward is one that can show people the museums and answer many questions about the turtle and the wild history of the town. Just about anyone in town is willing to answer questions and assist those wanting to know more about the town's history.

[sarah, 07/06/2008]

Ornate Box Turtle Mural

A very well done and colorful painting of the state reptile of Kansas on the side of a building on the main street in Caldwell, Kansas. You can't miss it when driving north on main street. We were told it was painted by Marty Capron, who paints murals on buildings in Kansas. We drove through Caldwell after reading about it on RoadsideAmerica.com once being the Ornate Box Turtle Capital of the World.

A lady at a small shop near the painting told us Caldwell is still the turtle capital. She had a few post cards and other turtle items for sale.

[Mike and Judy, 06/20/2007]

Ornate Box Turtle Capital of the World

To celebrate the 20th anniversary (1986-2006) of the Ornate Box Turtle as the state reptile of Kansas, a professional wildlife artist has designed a special t-shirt. Marty Capron of Oxford, Kansas designed the shirt.

Marty is the same artist who did the very large painting of an Ornate Box Turtle on the side of a building on Main Street in Caldwell, Kansas. Information about the t-shirt along with links to historic photos and other Ornate Box Turtle related materials can be found from www.KsHeritage.com. Just click on Ornate Box Turtle links at the top of the page and follow related links.

[Larry Miller, 03/26/2006]