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I made a "pilgrimage" to Coffeyville as well (not a difficult feat as I have relatives in Joplin, MO that I frequently visit). I have read at least twenty books on the Wild West, and I never tire of reading more. I enjoyed my Coffeyville visit quite a bit; I even bought an old cobblestone from the gift store. After reading so much about the town and the events that makes it famous, I spent the whole day walking around the town taking it all in. While the visit wasn't spiritual in the religious sense, it really, really put the literature I had absorbed on the Coffeyville raid in perspective.

On the other hand, I have visited Northfield as well. The town is now in the far ring of the outer suburbs of Minneapolis, and it has developed accordingly. It is also a college town now, and that has made the town change even more.

I went to the ridiculous "Jesse James Days" festival they have there every year, and the reenactment of the raid contradicted virtually everything I have read about the raid. My wife challenged, "Well, it HAPPENED HERE", insinuating that we were somehow getting a firsthand history lesson; as though we were watching the actual raid.

The answer is simple, really. They have a whole damned FESTIVAL set up to celebrate the rout of the James gang and an embellishment here or there makes it more interesting to watch. After all, they can't very well show Clell Miller's face drooping off of his skull after taking a blast from a shotgun, now can they? Instead, they Hollywooded it up in order to appeal to the TV western watchers.

If you ever make it up to Northfield (anyone), go during the off season and visit the museum. It's a fun visit when you can take it in on your own terms.

APf

We did get up to Minnesota on one of our trips. My dear husband let me take us to Walnut Grove, MN and from there on into DeSmet, SD where the Ingalls family had also lived. I think he actually enjoyed some of the museums. I loved the Badlands. They were beautiful. It was dark by the time we got to Mt. Rushmore, so I got to see it lit at night. It was pretty but the Badlands just impressed me so with it's display of nature's power. We ran up and saw the Devil's Tower and drove on through Yellowstone. We did see many things during our trips that I wouldn't trade now for anything. I remember that the Mississippi was a beautiful blue the day we crossed it leaving LaCross, WI. The leaves were turning beautiful colors and it was impressive.

You should go to the Dalton Gang Hideout in Meade, Kansas it has some interesting items and gives you a up close look at there home and hideout. Also while your in that neighborhood you could swing up to Dodge City and Check out Boothill, they are both kind of cheesy but some good history can be learned.