Editing Colby, Kansas (section)

==Points of interest==

The [[Prairie Museum of Art and History]], 1905 S. Franklin St., serves as a cultural center. The museum is a private, nonprofit museum governed by the Thomas County [[Historical Society]]. The Society was founded in 1959 to preserve the history of Thomas County, Kansas. The museum occupies a {{convert|24|acre|m2|adj=on}} site just north of [[Interstate 70 in Kansas|Interstate 70]], between exits 53 and 54.<ref name="ColbyOasis2016">{{cite web|title=Attractions|url=http://oasisontheplains.com/beourguest/attractions-a-recreation|website=Colby Oasis on the Plains|access-date=6 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160404020130/http://oasisontheplains.com/beourguest/attractions-a-recreation|archive-date=4 April 2016}}</ref> The Cooper Barn located at the museum complex is known as the "Largest Barn in Kansas."<ref>Colby Convention and Visitor's Bureau {{cite web|url=http://oasisontheplains.com/beourguest/attractions-a-recreation |title=Colby &#124; Thomas County - Attractions & Recreation |access-date=2016-09-06 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160404020130/http://oasisontheplains.com/beourguest/attractions-a-recreation |archive-date=2016-04-04 }}</ref>

[[Thomas County Courthouse (Kansas)|Thomas County Courthouse]] which was constructed in 1907 by local firms Holland, JC & Squires, Frank, Crosby, and L. & Son. It is currently listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]] and is at 300 N. Court in Colby.<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|version=2010a}}</ref> Other city buildings joining the courthouse on the [[National Register of Historic Places]] include the Colby Community High School at 750 West 3rd St. (which is now used as an elementary/junior high school), and the art-deco sand-colored Colby City Hall, which was built in the 1920s by the architecture firm Suite & Blanchard. Throughout its 80-year history, the city hall has served as a [[correctional facility]], [[fire station]], [[library]] and meeting hall.<ref name=nris/>

Another feature of Colby is Villa High Lake. The city-made reservoir is situated on the South Side of Villa High Park, which was created in the 1960s by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks. The park has playground equipment, picnic shelters, disc golf, and fishing.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Parks Department {{!}} Colby, KS - Official Website|url=https://www.cityofcolby.com/7/Parks-Department|access-date=2021-03-09|website=www.cityofcolby.com}}</ref>

Fike Park is located just north of City Hall at the intersection of Franklin Avenue and Eighth Street. The park area was formerly known as Carp Lake. The park has gazebos, a volleyball area, horseshoe pitching pits, and tennis courts. In 1998 and 1999, over $100,000 was raised by civic groups and parents, with assistance from the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks and the City of Colby, for new playground equipment. In 2000, the tennis courts in this area were replaced and are used by Colby Community College and Unified School District #315. Colby Swimming Pool was located just south of the park, but has since been converted into a parking lot.{{citation needed|date=March 2011}}

Pioneer Memorial Library is at 375 W. 4th St., named in honor of the pioneers who built the community.<ref>{{Cite journal|title=Letters of the Young Pioneers who took rest in the Artek Young Pioneer Camp.|doi = 10.1163/9789004192744-048}}</ref>

Colby Aquatic Park was opened in 2012 at 1610 S. Franklin, featuring a lazy river, lap pool, water slides and curly slides.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://oasisontheplains.com/beourguest/attractions-a-recreation |title=Colby &#124; Thomas County - Attractions & Recreation |access-date=2016-09-06 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160404020130/http://oasisontheplains.com/beourguest/attractions-a-recreation |archive-date=2016-04-04 }}</ref>

The Colby Event Center opened in July 2021. The facility features two gyms, meeting room space and indoor playground. The Event Center is home to all Colby High School and Colby Community College basketball and volleyball games.<ref>https://www.cityofcolby.com/299/Colby-Event-Center Colby Event Center; City of Colby.</ref>