Kansas Blog

The railroad is so closely tied to the Kansas story of adventure, opportunity and progress that it only seems fitting those visiting the state should take the time to ride the rails. Amtrak service is limited in our state, but excursion trains to provide a unique and relaxing opportunity to enjoy this piece of history.

When you visit Mine Creek Battlefield on a quiet day, you can almost see them there: 7,000 Confederate soldiers charging across a battlefield on horseback towards two highly outnumbered Union brigades cresting the hill. The Union forces freeze in their tracks against the odds, but are destined to carry the day. 

Osawatomie is a great little Kansas day-trip full of history from a time when the state was new and people were passionate about their political positions. The town was a pivotal spot during the Bleeding Kansas fight for freedom. It stakes claim to being the place Kansans were first called "Jayhawkers" and is where the Kansas Republican party was founded. BUT, it is perhaps best known for its relation to the famous abolitionist, John Brown.

I would compare visiting the El Quartelejo Museum in Scott City to time-traveling through Western Kansas. When we arrived at the museum, a replica of a pueblo style building, we were given a brief introduction of the exhibits from Dennie Siegrist, the facility manager. He started us off with the western interior seaway, which occupied this part of the country 100 million years ago. We passed through the Monument Rock display, showing the chalk pyramids attraction which is located just down the road from Scott City. 

Imagine starting your day as you would any normal day, heading downtown to work or to run a few errands at the hardware store and bank. As you go about your business, you catch word that both banks in town are being robbed by five famous train robbers: the Dalton Gang. Did I mention that you're imagining life in 1892? 

Looking for a special treat for that hard-to-please person? How about a trip to Liberal to take in a dinosaur-airplane experience?

Yes, dinosaurs and airplanes will be on display together this spring at the Mid-America Air Museum in Liberal. 

Did you know “Mater” is from Kansas? He is – or at least the 1951 International boom truck used for his model is – and ...

Big Brutus is big by the numbers. The 1850-B electric shovel is the largest in the world. With a working weight of about 11 million pounds and a boom ...

An entire town – underground. That’s what the founders of Ellinwood created for themselves in the 1870s. At the time, it was a practical invention. The Santa Fe Trail passed along the south border of town, bringing 100 teams a day through during peak seasons. At 5 men per-wagon team, that traffic translated to about 500 rough-and-tumble men a day rolling in to town. It may have been good for business, but the Ellinwood establishment wanted a way to keep the streets respectable.

Some of the greatest things to see in our state require a trip down a dirt road and a sense of adventure. Threshing Machine Canyon is certainly no exception. That’s where you can see graffiti from ...