LARNED — Visitors to Fort Larned National Historic Site can now enjoy a stunning mountain view – at least online. The Fort’s staff continued its tradition of creating hoax social media posts on April 1, this time apparently appropriating Long’s Peak from Rocky Mountain National Park and moving one of the Kansas buildings west to be featured at the Colorado park.

Here is the post, which was accompanied by a photo of the new view:

“Collaboration is key! As you may know or may have even experienced, the National Park units across the country are proud to be part of a wonderful organization and as such, we try to help each other out whenever we can. If you’ve ever been to Fort Larned, you know that the landscape, while wonderful in its own way, could use a bit of ‘pizzazz,’ should we say. A few years ago, we reached out to our friends at Rocky Mountain National Park to see how we might be able to help each other out. These things take time, so finally, this year, Fort Larned’s view-shed will include Long’s Peak and add that bit of pizzazz we were looking for. In exchange for the wonderful help they have given us, our North Junior Officers’ Quarters will be migrating west and will be featured at Rocky Mountain National Park. But don’t worry, we will still have the rest of our signature sandstone structures for you to visit while you enjoy the now mountainous landscape! And if you’ve read to this point and haven’t figured it out yet, April Fools!”

Other April’s Fool’s posts

Community Christian Church of Great Bend posted a photo of a wet kitty with the note: “As of today, April 1, 2025, Community Christian Church has approved cat baptisms! If your feline friend believes in Jesus, let’s welcome them to God’s family.” (Please note, you will have to baptize your own cat ... Jon’s not doing that again!”)

Not to be outdone, Great Bend Public Library created a fun post. It starts with a real library project where children can watch the transformation of caterpillars into butterflies. The staff has caterpillars and were set to enter their chrysalis stage this week. They will emerge as butterflies between the 12th and the 15th, to be released on April 22. All of this can be found on the library’s Facebook page, along with this April Fool’s message:

“In addition to releasing our butterflies on April 22, we will be releasing our books into the wild as part of a new book preservation initiative. The books will be released into a special book preserve to live and thrive in nature, far away from the dangers posed by readers. Starting April 23, we will be converting the library into a Blockbuster video rental. Swing by before April 23rd to exchange your library card for a Blockbuster Video card for free!”