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Walk through the front doors of the Council Grove Post Office, and you cannot miss it. Spanning the width of the lobby wall is a mural so large and commanding that it seems to belong to the building itself. For nearly four decades, it has stood as both art and history, its colors and images chronicling the story of America’s mail system. But for those who know Council Grove, the mural is also a lasting mark of Sharon Mock—teacher, artist, and community volunteer—whose brushstrokes left behind one of the town’s most recognizable landmarks.

Gracelyn Stansell Gracelyn is a student in Joshua Gant’s sixth grade class. Her favorite color is baby blue and the best gift she has ever received is Oculus - virtual reality headset. Gracelyn says if she had a super power it would be to fly.

When visitors gather for the upcoming 2025 Santa Fe Trail Symposium right here in Council Grove, they will be stepping into a rich celebration of history, culture, and community. But this year, alongside lectures, tours, and educational programs, there’s something new and interactive on the agenda… a scavenger hunt designed to bring the story of the Santa Fe Trail to life in a whole new way.