G.E. Nordell's
State of Kansas
Travel & Business Links Page
![Seal of Kansas State University [est. 1863]](images/seal-KansasStateUniversity.jpg "Seal of Kansas State University [est. 1863]")
Official Government Links & Info
Kansas covers 82,277 square miles {213,096 square kilometers}; the population is 2,885,905 (2012 estimate).
The state was admitted to the Union on 29 January 1861 {the 34th state}.
The official name is 'Sunflower State'; nicknames include 'The Wheat State' and 'Jayhawker State'.
as-of February 2014, the Official State Name for Kansas is 'The Jim Crow State'.
The state motto is: 'Ad astra per aspera' (Through hardships to the stars).
The state flower is the Sunflower; the state bird is the Western Meadowlark.
The state tree is the Cottonwood; the state insect is the European honey bee.
The state animal is the American Bison; the state reptile is the Ornate Box Turtle.
The state amphibian is the Barred Tiger Salamander; the state fish is the Channel Catfish.
The official state song is "Home On The Range" (since 1947).
Kansas passed a law in 1881 that prohibits the manufacture or sale of alcoholic beverages within the state.
Time zones in Kansas are Central in the eastern two-thirds, Mountain in the western one-third.
Official Website of the State of Kansas
State of Kansas Travel & Tourism Page
Kansas Dept. of Commerce / Film Commission
Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism official website
Kansas Dept. of Wildlife, Parks & Tourism info website
Kansas Department of Commerce
Kansas Commission on Veterans' Affairs
Kansas State Department of Education
University of Kansas [est. 1854] based in Lawrence, Kansas
University of Kansas feminist history of The Varga Girl and WWII pin-ups
Alberto Vargas / Esquire Pinups Collection & Archives at the University of Kansas
'Chushingura' plot summary at University of Kansas
Kansas Statewide & Regional Links
browse travel books about Kansas U.S.A. at Amazon
State of Kansas entry at Wikipedia
independent Kansas Travel, Tourism & Restaurants website
Kansas State Fair [Sept 2013 = #100] in Hutchinson (Reno County), Kansas
Harvey House Restaurants {there were 17 locations in Kansas}
Kansas State Historical Society [est. 1875] based on Topeka, Kansas
North Central Regional Planning Commission [est. 1972] based in Beloit, Kansas
NCPRC's online magazine 'Eye On Kansas'
Southeast Kansas Regional Planning Commission [est. 1969] based in Chanute, Kansas
Kansas Bed & Breakfast Assn. [] based in Ulysses, Kansas
North Central Kansas Small Business Development Center [] based in Concordia, Kansas
Kansas Free Land Program of 11 rural towns
![Kansas Farmers Union [] branch of the National Farmers Union [est. 1902]](images/KansasFarmersUnion.jpg)
![Kansas Farm Bureau - The Voice of Agriculture [est. 1919] based in Manhattan, Kansas](images/KansasFarmbureau.jpg)
 | Route 66 Pages at Spirit of America Bookstore Only about 13 miles of Route 66 passes thru Kansas, so there's not much to report. | |
A Few Important People
Gov. Sam Brownback [GOP]
Lt. Gov. Jeff Colyer [GOP]
U.S. Senator Pat Roberts since 1997; GOP] up for re-election in 2014
U.S. Senator Jerry Moran [since 2011; GOP] up for re-election in 2016
Cong. Tim Huelskamp [GOP]
Cong. Lynn Jenkins [GOP]
Cong. Kevin Yoder [GOP]
Cong. Mike Pompeo [GOP]
Kansas City, Kansas Mayor/CEO Mark Holland [since 2013]
Kansas City, Missouri Mayor Sly James [since 5/2011; indep]
Wichita, Kansas Mayor Carl Brewer [since 2007; Dem]
v
silent movie comedian Roscoe 'Fatty' Arbuckle [1887-1933] was from Smith Center, Kansas
illustrator & artist Doug Bowles lives in Leawood, Kansas
environmental activist Erin Brockovich [born 1960] is from Lawrence, Kansas
poet Gwendolyn Elizabeth Brooks [1917-2000] was from Topeka, Kansas
actress Louise Brooks [1906-85] was from Cherryvale, Kansas
abolitionist John Brown [1800-59] conducted raids in Kansas in 1856
Beat poet William S. Burroughs [1914-97] moved to Lawrence, Kansas in 1981
botanist/chemist George Washington Carver [1864-1943] was from Minneapolis, Kansas
automaker Walter Chrysler [1875-1940] grew up in Kansas and founded Chrysler Corporation in 1925
the Clutter family of four were found murdered in their farmhouse near Holcomb, Kansas in 1959; the incident and aftermath were
immortalized by Truman Capote in the book "In Cold Blood" (1966 bestseller, 1967 feature film, 1996 TV miniseries).
William F. 'Buffalo Bill' Cody [1846-1917] grew up in Leavenworth, Kansas
Spanish conquistador Francisco Vαsquez de Coronado y Lujαn [1510-54]
explored Arizona, New Mexico, and Kansas in 1540-42
Kansas-born politician Charles Curtis [1860-1936]
first Native American U.S. Senator, sworn in January 1907; also elected Vice President in 1928
fictional Dennis the Menace [since 1951] lives in Wichita, Kansas
fictional Marshal Matt Dillon of the radio & TV series 'Gunsmoke' [1952-94] was a lawman in Dodge City, Kansas
aviator Amelia Earhart [1897-1937] was from Atchison, Kansas
Wyatt Earp [1848-1929] was a lawman in Wichita & Dodge City, Kansas
President Dwight D. 'Ike' Eisenhower [1890-1969] was raised in Abilene, Kansas
university president Milton S. Eisenhower [1899-1985] was raised in Abilene, Kansas
musician Melissa Etheridge [born 1961] is from Leavenworth, Kansas
fictional Dorothy Gale [1900], Kansas farm girl
restaurant tycoon Frederick Henry 'Fred' Harvey [1835-1901] had headquarters in Leavenworth, Kansas
National Fred Harvey Museum [built 1863] in Leavenworth, Kansas
James Butler 'Wild Bill' Hickok [1837-76] was a lawman in Hays & Abilene, Kansas
actor Dennis Hopper [1936-2010] was from Dodge City, Kansas
author/poet Langston Hughes [1902-67] was from Lawrence, Kansas
Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright William Inge [1913-73] was from Independence, Kansas
explorers & film pioneers Martin Johnson [1884-1937] & Osa Leighty Johnson [1894-1953] were both from Kansas
progressive rock band Kansas [est. 1973 in Topeka, still touring 2013]
browse albums & MP3s
official website
entry at Wikipedia
comedy filmmaker Buster Keaton [1895-1966] was born in Piqua, Kansas
circus clown Emmett Kelly [1898-1979] was from Sedan, Kansas
fascist billionaire Charles G. Koch [born 1935] is based in Wichita, Kansas
suffragist Mary Elizabeth Lease [1853-1933] of Kansas
William Barclay 'Bat' Masterson [1853-1921] was a lawman in Dodge City, Kansas
actress Hattie McDaniel [1895-1952] was from Wichita, Kansas
film pioneer Oscar Micheaux [1893-1951] grew up in Great Bend, Kansas
DS's Oscar Micheaux fansite in Great Bend, Kansas
temperance activist Carrie Nation [1846-1911] vandalized saloons across Kansas with a hatchet, circa 1899-1910
jazz great Charlie Parker [1920-55] was from Kansas City, Kansas
photographer & film director Gordon Parks [1912-2006] was from Fort Scott, Kansas
Cassandra Peterson [born 1949] performs as 'Elvira, Mistress of The Dark' and is from Manhattan, Kansas
mystery author Nancy Pickard of Kansas
browse books
official website
Wikipedia
comic actress ZaSu Pitts [1894-1963] was from Parsons, Kansas
actor-musician Charles 'Buddy' Rogers [1904-1991] was from Olathe, Kansas
sportswriter & author Damon Runyon [1880-1946] was from Manhattan, Kansas
Satanta [1830-78] was Chief of the Kiowa tribe
Harry F. Sinclair [1876-1956] grew up in Independence, Kansas and founded Sinclair Oil Company in 1916
actor Milburn Stone [1904-80] was born in Burrton, Kansas and was famous as Doc Adams on TV's 'Gunsmoke'
mystery author Rex Stout [1886-1975] grew up and went to college in Kansas
candymaker Russell Stover [1888-1954] was from Alton, Kansas
television journalist John Cameron Swayze [1906-95] was from Wichita, Kansas
actress Vivian Vance [1909-79] grew up in Kansas and was famous as sidekick Ethel Mertz on TV's 'I Love Lucy'
cartoonist Mort Walker [1923-2018] was born in El Dorado, Kansas
Walker created 'Beetle Bailey', 'Hi and Lois' & other comic strips
rock musician Joe Walsh [born 1947] is from Wichita, Kansas
writer Eugene Fitch Ware [1841-1911]
Kansas City / Wyandotte County
{ Wyandotte County is across the Kansas and Missouri Rivers from Kansas City, Missouri }
Wyandotte County includes the cities of Kansas City {county seat}, most of Bonner Springs, Edwardsville,
and part of Lake Quivira, and the communities of Delaware Township, Turner, and Welborn.
official website of Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas
Wyandotte County entry at Wikipedia
Kansas City, Kansas entry at Wikipedia
Kansas City, Kansas Mayor/CEO Mark Holland [since 2013]
Film Society of Greater Kansas City [est. 1991]
FilmFest Kansas City [Oct 2007 = #14]
K.C. Modern - preserving mid-century architecture in Kansas City
Historic Kansas City Foundation [est. 1974]
http://www.kshs.org/grinter_place 1420 South 78th Street
Greater Kansas City branch of Industrial Workers of The World labor union
Johnson County
cities include De Soto, Gardner, Leawood, Lenexa, Merriam, Olathe {county seat}, Overland Park, Prairie Village, and Shawnee.
http://www.jocogov.org/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnson_County,_Kansas
Old Time Radio Catalog website [est. 1999] based in Lenexa, Kansas
http://www.olatheks.org/
http://www.olatheks.org/Mahaffie/ in Olathe KS = broken
http://www.ensorparkandmuseum.org/ in Olathe KS
http://www.overlandparkhistoricalsociety.org/
Kansas Intl. Film Festival [Oct 2010 = #10] in Overland Park, Kansas
Wichita / Sedgwick County
Sedgwick County includes the cities of Wichita {county seat}, Andale, Bel Aire, Bentley, Cheney, Clearwater, Colwich, Derby, Eastborough,
Garden Plain, Goddard, Haysville, Kechi, Maize, Mount Hope, Mulvane, Park City, Sedgwick, Valley Center, and Viola; also includes
the townships of Afton, Attica, Delano, Eagle, Erie, Grand River, Grant, Greeley, Gypsum, Illinois, Kechi, Lincoln, Minneha, Morton,
Ninnescah, Ohio, Park, Payne, Riverside, Rockford, Salem, Sherman, Union & Waco
official website of Sedgwick County, Kansas [est. 1867]
Sedgwick County entry at Wikipedia
City of Wichita, Kansas [est. 1863, incorp. 1870] ZIP 67202
largest city in Kansas, with population 385,577 (2012 estimate).
City of Wichita, Kansas official website
Wichita, Kansas Mayor Carl Brewer [since 2007; Dem]
Wichita, Kansas entry at Wikipedia
Wichita [KS] Convention & Visitors Bureau
Wichita [KS] Film Commission
Watermark Books & Cafe [est. 1977], 4701 E. Douglas Avenue in Wichita, Kansas
The Palette Bistro & Coffee Shop {moved? closed? 2012}, 535 W. Douglas Avenue in Wichita, Kansas
Lotus Leaf Cafe & Creperie [est. 2012], 613 W. Douglas Avenue in Wichita, Kansas
Ambassador Hotel Wichita, 104 So. Broadway Street in Wichita, Kansas
Sheplers Western Wear [est. 1899] based in Wichita, Kansas
Wheatland Poppin' Johnnies {farm equipment} Show & Swap Meet [Oct 2014 = #23] in Wichita, Kansas
Starlite Drive-In Theatre [est. 1973; open March thru Fall], 3900 So. Hydraulic in Wichita, Kansas
fascist-owned Koch Industries [est. 1940] of Wichita, Kansas
Wichita Toy Train Club & Museum [est. 1985] in Wichita, Kansas
Rio Grande Associates - large scale model railroad equipment [est. 2002] in Wichita, Kansas
Hopalong Cassidy Cowboy Museum [opened 8/2003] near Wichita, Kansas
state capitol Topeka / Shawnee County
Shawnee County includes the cities of Topeka {state capitol & county seat}, Auburn, Rossville, Silver Lake, and Willard;
townships include Grove, Menoken, Mission, Monmouth, Soldier, Tecumseh, and Williamsport.
Shawnee County, Kansas official website
Shawnee County entry at Wikipedia
Topeka, Kansas [founded 1854, incorp. 1857] ZIP 66611
City of Topeka, Kansas official website
Topeka, Kansas entry at Wikipedia
The Kansas Museum of History in Topeka
Topeka Capital-Journal newspaper
The Jayhawk State Theatre of Kansas [built 1926; vacated 1976], 720 SW Jackson
Hotel Jayhawk / Jayhawk Tower [built 1926; renovated 1982]
Lawrence / Douglas County
cities in Douglas County include Lawrence {county seat}, Eudora, Baldwin City & Lecompton; other communities include Big Springs, Clearfield,
Clinton, Globe, Grover, Hesper, Kanwaka, Lake View, Lone Star, Midland, Pleasant Grove, Sibleyville, Stull, Vinland & Worden.
Granada Theater in Lawrence, Kansas (existed in 1938)
http://www.lawrence.lib.ks.us/
Manhattan / Riley County
Riley County includes the cities of Leonardville, Manhattan {county seat}, Ogden, Randolph & Riley, the communties
of Ashland, Bala, Center, Fancy Creek, Grant, Jackson, Keats, Madison, May Day, Ogden, Rocky Ford, Sherman,
Swede Creek, Wildcat & Zeandale, plus the Fort Riley Military Reservation.
Kansas State University [est. 1863] in Manhattan, Kansas
Union Pacific 2-8-0 steam locomotive #6072 is on display at Fort Riley Museum in Ft. Riley, Kansas
Salina / Saline County
Saline County includes the cities of Assaria, Brookville, Gypsum, New Cambria, Salina {county seat}, Smolan, and most of
Solomon; also includes the communities of Bavaria, Bridgeport, Cambria, Dayton, Elm Creek, Eureka, Falun, Glendale, Greeley, Hedville,
Kipp, Liberty, Mentor, Ohio, Pleasant Valley, Salemsborg, Smoky Hill, Smoky View, Spring Creek, Walnut & Washington.
Union Pacific 2-8-0 steam locomotive #477 was donated to City of Salina, Kansas in July 1955.
http://www.salinapost.com/
Hutchinson / Reno County
Reno County includes the cities of Abbyville, Arlington, Buhler, Haven, Hutchinson {county seat}, Langdon, Nickerson, Partridge, Plevna,
Pretty Prairie, South Hutchinson, Sylvia, Turon & Willowbrook; also includes the communities of Albion, Bell, Castleton, Clay, Darlow,
Enterprise, Grant, Grove, Hayes, Huntsville, Lincoln, Little River, Loda, Medford, Medora, Miami, Ninnescah, Pleasantview, Reno,
Roscoe, Salt Creek, St. Joe, Sumner, Troy, Valley, Walnut, Westminster & Yoder.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reno_County,_Kansas
Hutchinson [KS] Chamber of Commerce
Kansas State Fair [Sept 2013 = #100] in Hutchinson, Kansas
Strataca: The Kansas Underground Salt Museum [est. 1999], 3650 E. Avenue G in Hutchinson, Kansas
Nickerson [KS] Chamber of Commerce
Hedrick's Bed & Breakfast Inn & Exotic Animal Farm [est. 1970s] in Nickerson, Kansas
Leavenworth County
Leavenworth County includes the cities of Basehor, (most of) Bonner Springs, (most of) De Soto, Easton, Lansing,
Leavenworth {county seat}, Linwood & Tonganoxie; also includes the communities of Alexandria, Coldspur, Delaware,
Fairmount, Fall Leaf, High Prairie, Jarbalo, Kickapoo, Lowemont, Millwood, Reno, Sherman, Springdale & Stranger.
http://www.leavenworthcounty.org/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leavenworth_County,_Kansas
National Fred Harvey Museum [built 1863] in Leavenworth, Kansas
http://www.firstcitymuseums.org/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Leavenworth [est. 1827]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Penitentiary,_Leavenworth [est. 1903]
Dodge City / Ford County
Ford County includes the cities of Bucklin, Dodge City {county seat}, Ford & Spearville; also includes the communities
of Bellefont, Bloom, Concord, Fairview, Ft. Dodge, Grandview, Howell, Kingsdown, Richland, Royal, Sodville, Wheatland,
Wilburn, Wilroads, Windhorst & Wright.
The Boot Hill Museum [est. 1947] in Dodge City, Kansas
Cowboy Heritage Festival [Memorial Day Weekend] in Dodge City, Kansas
Garden City / Finney County
Ford County includes the cities of Garden City {county seat} & Holcomb; also includes the communities of Friend, Garfield,
Ivanhoe, Kalvesta, Lowe, Mansfield, Pierceville, Pitt, Pleasant Valley, Plymell, Ritchal, Rodkey, Sherlock & Terry.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finney_County,_Kansas
Garden City, Kansas
official website
entry at Wikipedia
Lee Richardson Zoo [] in Garden City, Kansas
Garden City Western Railway 2-6-0 steam locomotive #25 is currently on static display at the Lee Richardson Zoo
The Richardson Railroad rubber-tired shuttle runs daily at the Lee Richardson Zoo
Abilene / Dickinson County
Dickinson County includes the cities of Abilene {county seat}, Carlton, Chapman, Enterprise, Herington, Hope, Manchester,
Solomon & Woodbine; also includes the communities of Banner, Buckeye, Cheever, Detroit, Dillon, Elmo, Flora, Fragrant Hill,
Garfield, Grant, Hayes, Holland, Industry, Jefferson, Liberty, Lincoln, Logan, Lyona, Navarre, Newbern, Noble, Pearl, Ridge,
Rinehart, Shady Brook, Sherman, Stoney, Sutphen, Talmage, Union, Upland, Wheatland & Willowdale.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dickinson_County,_Kansas
Abilene, Kansas [founded 1857, incorp. 1869] ZIP 67410
not to be confused with Abilene, Texas 79601
City of Abilene [KS] official website
Abilene, Kansas entry at Wikipedia
Abilene [KS] Area Chamber of Commerce
Abilene [KS] C.V.B.
Kirby House Restaurant [built 1885] in Abilene, Kansas
Mr. K's Farmhouse Restaurant [est. 1939, reopened 1995] in Abilene, Kansas
Brookville Hotel & Restaurant [est. 1870] in Abilene, Kansas
Eisenhower Presidential Center, Library & Boyhood Home [est. 1954] in Abilene, Kansas
Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad [est. 1993] in Abilene, Kansas
A&SVRR's 1919 AT&SF 4-6-2 steam locomotive #3415 is the only operating steam locomotive in the State of Kansas.
the old Rock Island train depot in Old Abilene Town
http://www.enterpriseks.org/
Smaller Counties & Towns of Kansas
Kansas has 105 counties, most with very small populations. The 12 counties treated in detail above are: Dickinson County (Abilene), Douglas County (Lawrence),
Finney County (Garden City), Ford County (Dodge City), Johnson County, Leavenworth County, Reno County (Hutchinson), Riley County (Manhattan),
Saline County (Salina), Sedgwick County (Wichita), Shawnee County (Topeka), and Wyandotte County (Kansas City).
The remainder will be coded/listed here by alphabetic town/village/community or county as such data is found.
list of Kansas counties at Wikipedia
list of ghost towns in Kansas at Wikipedia
v
www.OldMillMuseum.org
www.oldwestcowboydays.com
The Cimarron National Grassland, Kansas's largest tract of public land, is located in Morton County.
http://www.kshs.org/
www.NPS.gov/tapr
v
http://www.beavervalleysupply.com/ in Atwood, Kansas
Midland Railway tourist line [est. 1987; runs June-Oct] based in Baldwin City, Kansas
Hopalong Cassidy Cowboy Museum [opened 8/2003] in Benton (Butler County), Kansas
Prairie Rose Chuckwagon Supper [est. 1999] in Benton, Kansas
Coffeyville, Kansas - where the Dalton Gang unsuccessfully attempted to rob two banks simultaneously on October 5, 1892
Camp Concordia, a World War II prisoner of war camp
Concordia is home of the historic Brown Grand Theatre
http://www.grandcentralhotel.com/ in Cottonwood Falls, Kansas
http://www.visitcrawfordcounty.com/
family-owned Mitchell Theatres chain based in Elkhart, Kansas - operates 12 theaters in CO, KS, MO, NM & OK
Stroud's Restaurant in Fairway, Kansas
Fort Scott, Kansas 66701
http://www.bourboncountyKS.org/
City of Fort Scott, Kansas official website
Fort Scott [KS] Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism
http://www.fortscott.edu/ Fort Scott Community College
http://www.usd234.org/ Fort Scott [KS] Unified School District 234
http://www.buckruncommunitycenter.org/
http://www.fortscottgoodoldays.com/ [June]
http://www.nps.gov/fosc Fort Scott National Historic Site
http://www.pioneerharvestfiesta.org/ Pioneer Harvest Fiesta [Sept 2013] in Fort Scott, Kansas
Fort Scott Film Festival [June 2004-2008] in Fort Scott, Kansas
The Buffalo Grill Steakhouse [est. 2008] in the century-old Stout Building in Fort Scott, Kansas
DS's Oscar Micheaux fansite in Great Bend, Kansas
http://kansasbarnsale.blogspot.com/ [Oct 2013] near Hesston, Kansas
http://www.ingefestival.org/ William Inge Center For The Arts in Independence, Kansas
Kansas Sampler Foundation [est. 1993] based in Inman, Kansas
annual Buster Keaton Celebration [est. 1992; on hiatus in 2014] in Iola, Kansas
Thomas H. Bowlus Fine Arts Center [est. 1964], 205 E. Madison Avenue in Iola, Kansas
Antique Barbed Wire Society [est. 1983] based in LaCrosse, Kansas
The Kansas Barbed Wire Museum [est. 1991] in LaCrosse, Kansas
Family Castle restaurant in LaCrosse, Kansas
Santa Fe Trail Center Museum & Research Library [] in Larned, Kansas
Mid-America Air Museum in Liberal
www.lindsborg.org = CofC
www.SwedishCountryInn.com in Lindsborg
www.1885RosbergHouse.com B&B in Lindsborg
Union Pacific 2-8-0 steam locomotive #460 donated to City of Marysville, Kansas in April 1956.
Neighbors Cafι in McPherson, KS
Pittsburg, Kansas
Hotel Stilwell [opened 1890], 707 North Broadway in Pittsburg, Kansas
Watco Transportation [est. 1983] is based in Pittsburg, Kansas
Pottawatomie County Economic Development Corp.
http://www.rushcounty.org/
Satanta, Kansas at the former Santa Fe Railroad depot. is HQ for Cimmaron Valley RR
Sedan KS = Tallgrass Beef Co + Red Buffalo Ranch
http://www.emmettkellymuseum.com/ Emmett Kelly Museum in Sedan, Kansas
The Horace Greeley museum in Tribune
Wamego, Kansas 66547
Wamego Telecommunications Co. [est. 1912] of Wamego, Kansas
2014 Kansas Sampler Festival [May 20-14 = #25] in Wamego, Kansas
Oz Museum at Wamego KS + ML/oz
Daylight Donuts on Main Street in Wellington KS
http://www.wvfest.com/ Walnut Valley Festival [Sept] in Winfield
Railroads of Kansas
listing of surviving steam locomotives in Kansas
'list of Kansas railroads' page at Wikipedia
TrainWeb / Tourist Railways / Kansas website got hacked {2017}
U.P.R.R. Shortline Railroad Profiles for Kansas
Harvey House Restaurants in Kansas {12 gone, 5 standing}
U.P. steam locomotive #6072 a 2-8-0 type, on display at Fort Riley Museum in Ft. Riley, Kansas
U.P. steam locomotive #460 a 2-8-0 type, donated to City of Marysville, Kansas in April 1956.
U.P. steam locomotive #477 a 2-8-0 type, donated to City of Salina, Kansas in July 1955.
Garden City Western Railway 2-6-0 steam locomotive #25 is currently on static display at the Lee Richardson Zoo in Garden City, Kansas
1919 G.E. 30-ton center-cab Carey Salt Mine electric locomotive #2 on display outside
at the Kansas Underground Salt Museum [est. 1999] in Hutchinson, Kansas
Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad [est. 1993] in Abilene, Kansas
A&SVRR's 1919 AT&SF 4-6-2 steam locomotive #3415 is the only operating steam locomotive in the State of Kansas; trains & railbus operate on weekends
from May to October, on Tuesday thru Friday from June to August; sometimes powered by #3415, sometimes by Alco S-1 diesel switcher;
basic route is 5.5 miles to Enterprise and back, with monthly extension by railbus 11 miles further to Woodbine and back
official website
Wikipedia
Cimarron Valley Railroad [est. 1996] is based in Satanta, Kansas
and operates on 245 miles of former AT&SF right-of-way in Kansas, Oklahoma & Colorado.
official website
Wikipedia
Kansas and Oklahoma Railroad (KO) is owned by Watco Transportation
and operates 840 miles of trackage from Wichita, Kansas to the Colorado border.
official website
Wikipedia
The Kyle Railroad [est. 1982] runs from North Central Kansas into Eastern Colorado. It is based in Phillipsburg, Kansas
and runs on 561 miles (903 km) of track, mostly the former Rock Island RR's Chicago to Denver main line.
official website
Wikipedia
Midland Railway Historical Association [est. 1987] based in Baldwin City, Kansas
Operates from June thru October on 21 miles of former AT&SF track from HQ in Baldwin City, Kansas to Ottawa Junction. Diesel locomotives include
1951 Alco RS-3 ex-MKT #142 switcher, 1951 Alco RS-3 ex-NYCentral #8255 switcher, and 1946 G.M. ex-CB&Q #524 switcher.
The Kansas Belle Dinner Train operates on Friday & Saturday nights and on Sunday afternoons.
official website
Wikipedia
559-mile Nebraska Kansas Colorado Rwy [est. 1996, purch by OmniTRAX in 2005]
South Kansas and Oklahoma Railroad (SKOL) is owned by Watco Transportation
and operates 380 miles of trackage in SE Kansas and NE Oklahoma.
official website
Wikipedia
Indian Country of Kansas
According to the 2010 U.S. Census, only 1% of the population of Kansas is Native American; there are no reservations.
Reading Material & Other Media
browse travel books about Kansas U.S.A. at Amazon
![Kansas! Magazine [est. 1945] subscription](covers/mKansasMag.jpg) Kansas! Magazine [est. 1945] |
![Kansas Farmer Magazine [] subscription](covers/mKansasFarmer2013oct.jpg) Kansas Farmer Magazine |
 Kansas Country Living Magazine available from Kansas Electric Cooperatives |
![Kansas Wildlife & Parks Magazine [] subscription](covers/mKansasWildlife&Parks.jpg) Kansas Wildlife & Parks Magazine |
![Kansas City Business Journal Weekly Magazine [] subscription](covers/mKansasCityBusinessJournal.jpg) Kansas City Business Journal Weekly Magazine print & digital |
 | "Hayseeds, Moralizers, and Methodists: The Twentieth-Century Image of Kansas" [1988] by Robert Smith Bader
Univ Press of Kansas 9x6 pb [5/88] for $16.95 Univ Press of Kansas 9x6 pb [5/88] out of print/used Univ Press of Kansas 9½x6 hardcover [5/88] out of print/used |
 | "S is for Sunflower: A Kansas Alphabet" [ages 6 & up; 2004] by Devin & Corey Scillian, Illustrated by Doug Bowles Kindle Edition from Sleeping Bear Press [10/2010] for $9.99 Sleeping Bear Press 9¼x11¼ hardcover [6/2004] for $13.32 |
 | "One Kansas Farmer: A Kansas Number Book" [ages 6 & up; 2009] by Devin & Corey Scillian, Illustrated by Doug Bowles Kindle Edition from Sleeping Bear Press [7/2011] for $9.99 Sleeping Bear Press 9¼x11¼ hardcover [7/2009] for $13.19 |
 | "Lynchings In Kansas, 1850s-1932" [2015] by Harriet C. Frazier
A replacement for the 1933 book by Genevieve Yost; new research gives details for 123 entries (19 removed, 58 added). Kindle Edition from McFarland [1/2015] for $29.99 {sic} McFarland & Co. 10x7 pb [1/2015] for $45.00 |
 | "Call The Vet" [2012] by Carl E. & Donna A. Londene The first 1/5th or so is a very happy middle-class life in Kansas, then in Albuquerque, New Mexico; but in 1968, Carl/Gene and Donna Londene moved their family of three daughters to live their dream on a run-down 5‑acre horse farm in Albuquerque's South Valley. official book site Kindle Edition from Tate Publng [4/2014] for $9.99 Tate Publng 9x6 pb [4/2014] for $22.14 Nuevo Books 9x6 hardcover [8/2012] out of print/used Red Horse Vineyard B&B [built 1922, purch 1968, open 10/2015] in Albuquerque's South Valley |
"Buffalo Land: An Authentic Narrative of The Adventures & Misadventures of A Late Scientific & Sporting Party Upon
The Great Plains of The West - and Hand-book For Emigrants Seeking Homes" [1872] by William Edward Webb
http://www.amazon.com/Buffalo-Land-Discoveries-Adventures-ebook/dp/B0082NSBEY/
http://www.amazon.com/Buffalo-land-adventures-misadventures-scientific/dp/B006PG7DYO/
"Tallgrass Prairie" [10/1979] by Patricia D. Duncan
http://www.amazon.com/Tallgrass-Prairie-Patricia-D-Duncan/dp/0913504564/
"More True Tales of Old-Time Kansas" [5/1987] by David Dary
http://www.amazon.com/More-True-Tales-Old-Time-KS/dp/0700603298/
"Kansas City: The Spirit, The People, The Promise" coffeetable book [6/1987] by Patricia Ewing Pace
http://www.amazon.com/Kansas-City-Spirit-People-Promise/dp/0897812115/
"Ghost Towns of Kansas: A Traveller's Guide" [7/1988] by Daniel Fitzgerald
http://www.amazon.com/Ghost-Towns-Kansas-Travellers-Guide/dp/0700603670/
"Kansas City BBQ: The How To and Where To of Kansas City Barbecue" [5/1989] by Bill Venable III & Rick Welch
http://www.amazon.com/Kansas-City-Bbq-Barbecue-Included/dp/0925175005/
"PrairyErth" [1991] by William Least Heat-Moon
http://www.amazon.com/PrairyErth-William-Least-Heat-Moon/dp/0395486025/
"Tough Daisies: Kansas Humor From The Lane County Bachelor To Bob Dole" [1995] by C. Robert Haywood
http://www.amazon.com/Tough-Daisies-Kansas-County-Bachelor/dp/0700607323/
"Kansas Trivia" [1997] by Barbara Brackman
http://www.amazon.com/Kansas-Trivia-Barbara-Brackman-ebook/dp/B003IYI7HS/
http://www.amazon.com/Kansas-Trivia-Barbara-Brackman/dp/155853539X/
"Kansas Curiosities: Quirky Characters, Roadside Oddities & Other Offbeat Stuff" [9/2002] by Pam Grout
http://www.amazon.com/Kansas-Curiosities-Characters-Roadside-Oddities/dp/0762723297/
"John Brown To Bob Dole: Movers and Shakers In Kansas History" [2006] by Virgil W. Dean
http://www.amazon.com/John-Brown-Bob-Dole-Shakers/dp/070061429X/
"Kansas City's Fairmount Park" [6/2009] by John M. Olinskey III www.oldfairmountpark.com
http://www.amazon.com/Kansas-Citys-Fairmount-Park-Olinskey/dp/0982352719/
"Dodge City: The Early Years, 1872-1886" [10/2009] by Wm. B. Shillingberg
http://www.amazon.com/Dodge-City-1872-1886-Western-Waters/dp/0870623788/
http://www.amazon.com/Kansas-City-Barbeque-Society-Cookbook/dp/B004AYDB3K/
http://www.amazon.com/Army-Women-Politics-Reconfiguring-Political/dp/0801863627/
http://www.amazon.com/Ballots-Bullets-Bloody-County-Kansas/dp/0806137843/
― ―
 | "The Best of Kansas" [orig 1984, rev 1999] by progressive rock band 'Kansas'
Sony Music music CD [2003] for $6.99 Legacy/Epic music CD [2/99] out of prodn/used digitally remastered, with extra tracks; "Carry On Wayward Son"; "Point of Know Return"; "Fight Fire With Fire"; "Dust In The Wind"; "Song For America"; "Hold On"; "No One Together"; "Play The Game Tonight"; "The Wall"; "The Pinnacle"; "The Devil Game"; and "Closet Chronicles"; NOTE: the track "Perfect Lover" on the 1984 original was omitted on the re-issues |
"King of Dodge City" [Columbia Aug 1941] starring Wild Bill Elliott & Tex Ritter /tt0033785/
'Wild Bill' Hickok is sent to Abilene to take on bad guy banker Morgan King and his gang
"Abilene Town" [RKO 1946] starring Randolph Scott & Ann Dvorak
"Kansas Territory" [1952] starring Wild Bill Elliott
"Kansas City Confidential" [United Artists Nov 1952]
 | An ex-con is framed for an armored car robbery, beaten and tortured by police, then released for lack of evidence, his quiet life in ruins. The trail that he follows to find out who set him up leads into Mexico and to a gang of hired killers, a crooked ex-cop, and romance Directed by Phil Karlson; starring John Payne, Coleen Gray, Preston Foster, Neville Brand, Lee Van Cleef, Jack Elam & Dona Drake
Alpha Video b&w DVD [8/2002] for $7.98 Image Ent. Special Edition b&w DVD [6/2002] for $9.99 Timeless Multimedia b&w VHS [2/94] out of prodn/used full credits from IMDb movie entry at Wikipedia |
"Kansas Pacific" [Allied Artists Pictures Feb 1953]
  | Filmed in Cinecolor; location filming on the Sierra Railroad at Jamestown, California; a Western that is also considered a war movie; in 1860, 'Bloody Kansas' was split between Union and pro-slavery forces, and the completion of the railroad to the West was important to both, with Southern sympathizers resorting to violence to prevent the railroad's success Produced by Walter Wanger; directed by Ray Nazarro; written by Dan Ullman; starring Sterling Hayden, Eve Miller, Barton MacLane, Harry Shannon, Tom Fadden, Reed Hadley, Douglas Fowley, Bob Keys, Irving Bacon, Myron Healey, James Griffith, Clayton Moore, Jonathan Hale
Echo Bridge Home Ent. color DVD [1/99] for $3.99 Synergy Ent. {low quality?} color DVD [5/2007] for $9.99 Alpha Video color? DVD [3/2005] for $16.97 United American Video color VHS [10/98] for $3.88 Timeless Multimedia color VHS [10/95] for $9.99 full credits at IMDb movie entry at Wikipedia |
watch color version [1:12:52] free online at Internet Archive
"Wichita" [Allied Artists July 1955]
 | Leaders of a lawless Kansas cattle town offer the job of town marshall to an ex-buffalo hunter, who is reluctant to take the job Directed by Jacques Tourneur; filmed in Cinemascope & Technicolor; starring Joel McCrea {as Wyatt Earp}, Vera Miles, Lloyd Bridges, Wallace Ford, Edgar Buchanan, Peter Graves, Keith Larsen {as 'Bat' Masterson}, John Smith, Walter Coy, Jack Elam & Mae Clarke
Warner Bros. Archive color DVD-R [6/2009] for $15.69 full credits from IMDb |
"Masterson of Kansas" [Columbia Pictures Dec 1954]
 | "Nobody draws faster than Masterson of Kansas" Filmed in Technicolor; Kansas cattlemen frame Merrick for murder when he negotiates a treaty with the Indians giving them land that the ranchers covet; Dodge City sheriff Masterson asks for help from Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday in locating Merrick before the cattlemen's bounty hunters do Directed by William Castle; written by Douglas Heyes; starring George Montgomery {as 'Bat' Masterson}, Nancy Gates, James Griffith {as Doc Holliday}, Jean Willes, Benny Rubin, William Henry, David Bruce, Bruce Cowling {as Wyatt Earp}, Gregg Barton, Donald Murphy {as Virgil Earp}, Gregg Martell, Sandy Sanders, Jay Silverheels & John Maxwell
Sony Pictures Choice Collection color DVD [10/2012] for $20.95 full credits at IMDb |
"The Gunfight At Dodge City" [Mirisch/United Artists May 1959]
 | "All the thundering might of the most-famed gunfight of them all!" Filmed in Cinemascope, Color by Deluxe; after City Marshall Ed Masterson is murdered, his brother Bat runs for Sheriff of Ford County, Kansas and beats the crooked incumbent Produced by Walter Mirisch; directed by Joseph M. Newman; written by Martin Goldsmith & Daniel B. Ullman; starring Joel McCrea {as 'Bat' Masterson}, Julie Adams, Don Haggerty, John McIntire, Nancy Gates, Richard Anderson, James Westerfield, Walter Coy, Wright King & Harry Lauter
Australian import widescreen color Blu-ray [undated] for $38.68 MGM/UA widescreen color DVD [5/2008] for $19.96 full credits at IMDb movie entry at Wikipedia watch full movie online [1:17:36] at YouTube - seems dark, but sharp enough |
"Kansas City Bomber" [1972] roller derby /tt0068795/ starring Raquel Welch & Jodie Foster {at age 10}
Robert Altman's "Kansas City" [1996] /tt0116745/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66rtqQ2Q-Wk Kansas City (1996) trailer [2:20]
"What's The Matter With Kansas?" [indep Sept 2009]
 | Location filming in Park City & Wichita; film traces the state's shift from a stronghold of Democratic Party progressive politics to regressive fundamentalist religionism Co-produced by Laura Cohen & director Joe Winston; based on the book by Thomas Frank; featuring Thomas Frank, the Barden family, Brad & Cindie Bennett, the Dillard family, the Teske family, and archive footage of Dr. George Tiller; listed on Roger Ebert's Ten Best Documentaries of The Year
Passion River color DVD [1/2011] for $14.96 full credits at IMDb official movie site watch official trailer [2:16] at YouTube |
 | "What's The Matter With Kansas?: How Conservatives Won The Heart of America" [NY Times bestseller 2004] by Thomas Frank Kindle Edition from Metropolitan/Macmillan [4/2010] for $8.89 Holt 8¼x5½ pb [4/2005] for $11.53 Metropolitan Books 8½x5¾ hardcover [6/2004] out of print/hundreds used publisher's official book page book entry at Wikipedia |
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