Last updated on June 15th, 2024
57. Other Famous Kansans
These include singer Melissa Etheridge, actress Kirstie Alley and Langston Hughes, poet.
58. Wizard of Oz
Kansans are well aware the “Wizard of Oz” movie was set in their state. They have already heard all the jokes and they are mostly used to the movie being the first topic of conversation. There is a remarkable museum in Wamego for those who need a “Wizard of Oz” fix.
59. The original negatives from popular movies
Interesting things like the original negatives from popular movies and oil company records are stored in Kansas. It can be found in the Hutchinson Underground Salt Museum.
60. A real life inspiration
The book Dorothy Gale is about a real-life girl from Irving, Kansas. She was found in a mud puddle after a cyclone struck the town.
61. Home as a museum
The author of ‘Little House on the Prairie,’ Laura Wilder, grew up in Kansas. Her home is a museum in Independence, Kansas, in honor of her life and work.
62. Home to the World’s Largest Spaceflight Artifact Collection
The most extensive collection of spacecraft and spaceflight artifacts can be found in the Cosmosphere in Hutchinson, Kansas. The museum holds a combination of American and Russian relics.
63. A Guinness World Record Collection
The largest collection of Kansas City Chiefs football club souvenirs in the US and the world is in Manhattan, Kansas. Curt Herrman holds the Guinness World Record with 1353 items.
64. Wichita is the Place to Be
Wichita is the largest city in Kansas and it is renowned for being the best location to go for a variety of performances and festivals. The Flight Festival is referred to as the “Air Capital of the World” and it is something to behold.
65. Cheering for Pro Teams
During the NFL season, the majority of Kansans back their neighbor, the Kansas City Chiefs. They are aware that they are technically rooting for a Missouri team; however, Kansas is a part of the name. The Kansas City Royals are treated the same.
66. Roaring Engines in the Heart of Kansas City
Kansas Speedway is a racetrack in Kansas City where Nascar races take place. It is a 1500-mile tri-oval track in the Village West area.
67. First Patented Helicopter
In 1909 in Goodland, Charles A. Wilson and William J. Purvis co-invented the first helicopter that received a patent. They received donations and used $30,000 to start Goodland Aviation.
68. Airplane Factory
In 1919, the first airplane factory in Kansas was constructed in the city of Wichita. This city would later be ranked among the leading airplane manufacturers in the nation.
69. Pioneering the Fully Motorized Fire Department
Wichita, Kansas, was the first to have a fully motorized fire department in the US. By 1918, all horses used in firefighting were retired and replaced by automobiles.
70. The Undertaker Who Revolutionized Communication
Almon Strowger patented an automatic telephone exchange in 1889. Strowger settled in El Dorado, Kansas, where he worked as an undertaker before he invented the telephone system.
71. A start for the beef industry
The first load of cattle transported by rail from Abilene, Kansas, was on September 5, 1867. It helped to get the beef industry started in Kansas.
72. The windiest city in America
Of all the states of the US, Kansas may be the windiest. Dodge City, Kansas, has consistent wind speeds up to 14 mph. It is the windiest city in America.
73. Tornado alley
One of the nicknames of Kansas is “Tornado Alley”. You will get to know the reason when you read further.
74. Tremendous Tornado
With more than 60 tornadoes each year, Kansas is ranked second nationally. Very serious storms have happened in this region of the country and there is a history of record-breaking storms that have wiped out entire cities.
75. The Feathers’ Flight: Kansas’ Unforgettable Tornado of 1928
A tornado that was so strong that it blew the feathers of the chickens struck Kansas in 1928.
76. Tornados of 2007 and 2008
Nearly 95 percent of Greensburg was destroyed in 2007, which changed it forever. That was when an EF5 tornado tore through the city in May. In June 2008, the Wind Erosion Lab was destroyed when a tornado hit Kansas State University. Several buildings were damaged, but this one was destroyed.
77. Prepared For Every Type of Weather
When a tornado warning is not in effect, residents brace for anything between hail stones bigger than their fists and scorching heat along with high humidity. The weather can quickly change and Kansans know to be ready for the worst.
78. Highest and lowest temperature on record
The all-time highest and lowest temperatures were recorded near Alton (121 °F or 49.4 °C) on July 24, 1936, and near Lebanon minus 40 °F (−40 °C) on February 13, 1905. It is noteworthy that these towns are just 50 miles apart. Kansas ties with North Dakota for the fifth-highest temperature ever recorded in an American state.
79. A Meteorite Hunter’s Paradise in the Heartland
More than ten percent of all meteorites found in the United States come from Kansas. The Western part of the state is an excellent place to look for meteorites.
80. Most Beautiful License Plate
The Most Beautiful License Plate Award went to Kansas in 1981 for the wheat plate design. License plates of Kansas were redesigned in 2005.
81. The nurse: Clara Barton
The only county in the state of Kansas that is named after a woman is Barton County. It is named after the nurse Clara Barton, founder of the American Red Cross.
82. Red Light District
The Red Light Bordello located in Dodge City is responsible for the term “red light district.” The front door was made from red glass and emitted a red glow at night when lit.
83. Women’s Equality
Early Kansans became concerned with equality for women. As early as 1861, women were granted voting rights to participate in school district elections.
84. Don’t catch whales!
A weird law in Kansas states you are not allowed to catch whales. It is funny because Kansas has no sea where there can be whales.
85. Questionable Laws
In Kansas, serving ice cream on cherry pie was against the law at one period in the history of the state.
86. Be aware of the name
You can get a fine of up to 50 cents if you speak the name of George Washington without adding ‘Blessed be his name.’
87. Topeka’s Quirky Law: The Alphabet Song Ban
If you stroll down the streets of Topeka, Kansas, and have an urge to sing the alphabet, don’t. It is illegal to do so.
88. Alcohol was prohibited
In 1881 Kansas became the first U.S. state to adopt a constitutional amendment prohibiting all alcoholic beverages. However, this law was repealed in 1948.
89. Don’t drill new wells
A water usage violation by the state of Colorado caused Kansas to sue them in 1985 for drilling new irrigation wells.
90. The state insect: Honeybee
The honeybee has been the state insect of Kansas since 1976. More than 2,000 school kids signed the petition to make this happen.
91. Land of the Roaming Buffalos (North American Bison)
Directly from well-known lyrics of the state song, Kansans are not surprised if a few buffalos are seen running its plains. After all, the state animal is the American buffalo, which can weigh over 1800 pounds and grow more than 6 feet tall.
92. Ornate box turtle: The state reptile
Another interesting fact about Kansas is that the official state reptile is the ornate box turtle. It has been since 1986.
93. A Critical Habitat for the Lesser Prairie Chicken
Interesting to know is that Kansas is home to the largest population of the lesser prairie chicken.
94. The BBQ Art Form
The entire state is obsessed with Kansas City-style barbecue. This style is special because of how it is slow smoked over various woods before being typically topped with a thick molasses tomato and based sauce.
95. Handmade Chocolates
The Hazel Hill Chocolates Company in downtown Topeka opened in 2005. The company produces handmade chocolates in small batches made from only the best ingredients.
96. Chili cinnamon rolls
One of the most popular dishes in Kansas is a fascinating combination of chili and cinnamon rolls. People grew up dipping the cinnamon roll in a bowl of chili.
97. About 15 flavors of the frozen custard
One of Topeka’s most favored sweet treats is brown bread-flavored frozen custard. About 15 flavors of the tasty frozen custard of Kansas are available.
98. Chicken fried steak with mashed potatoes
The trendy and delicious chicken fried steak is a go-to dish in Wichita, Kansas. It usually is combined with a side of mashed potatoes and corn.
99. Z-man sandwich
The renowned Z-man sandwich is another famous Kansas dish. The legendary sliced smoked brisket and melted smoked provolone sandwich is named after a local radio host.
100. Barbeque hot wings
Another mouth-watering native dish of Kansas is the famous barbeque hot wings. What makes them stand out is the deep crimson-hot sauce served with the wings.
101. Pot roast
With beef being a primary produce of Kansas, it is common to find pot roast as a prominent dish. Mashed potatoes are covered with shredded beef pot roast and mushrooms.
102. Dough wrapped around ground beef and cabbage
Bierocks, another of Kansas’ many favorite dishes, is made of yeast dough wrapped around ground beef and cabbage. The dish has been around for many years.
103. For your sweet tooth
A delicious snack you must try is the Kansas Dirt Cake. It gets its name from the chocolate cookie layers that look like dirt.
About the Flag of Kansas
1. Design and Symbolism
The flag of Kansas showcases its history with a focus on the life of the pioneers. It has the state seal, name, and sunflower on a blue field.
The wild native sunflower, Helianthus, is the state flower of Kansas. Early settlers benefitted from its edible seeds. It also attracts insects which reduces pests in nearby crops.
At the top of the seal is a brown ribbon with the Latin motto “Ad Astra Per Aspera” (to the stars through difficulties). Despite the hardships, settlers persisted and created a modern state.
Under the motto are 34 white stars on a light blue background, divided into three curved rows. It highlights the status of Kansas as the 34th state of the Union.
In the middle is a rising sun behind the Kansas mountains, creating a yellow-orange glow along the horizon – a vision of optimism for the future.
Below the mountains are a river with a steamboat to represent commerce. On a field are Indians on horseback hunting buffalos. Meanwhile, a farmer plows his field, and a wagon train heads west to signify American expansion.
2. Adoption
Kansas adopted the current flag on March 23, 1927. It uses the design of Hazel Avery, with minor revisions in 1961 and 1963.
3. Technical Details
The flag has a proportion of 3:5. The border is a thin white band with a twisted gold rope design.
The sunflower is depicted from the side, showing both the stem and the head. It sits above a bar of alternating gold and light blue.
On the other hand, the sunflower image in the state banner shows a full yellow head from the top and nothing else.
4. History
Senator John James Ingalls designed the original state seal. He is also responsible for the inclusion of the Latin motto. The Kansas legislature adopted it on May 25, 1861.
In 1925, Hazel Avery designed a state flag for use in a Fourth of July parade with a sunflower and state seal. Instead of the painterly depiction of the early seals, it had flat colors for cheaper reproduction.
Kansas was using a different banner at this time. After it received multiple criticisms, the legislature adopted the Avery flag two years later. Gov. Benjamin Paulen took it to Fort Riley in 1927 for its first official duty.
In 1961, they added the state name, “KANSAS,” beneath the seal in gold letters. In 1963, they reduced the size to make it smaller than the US flag. It remains the design of the flag to this day.
6. Other Flags
The Governor’s Flag looks the same as the state flag except for the four extra stars at the corners.
The Kansas State Banner flew from 1925 to 1927. The simple design had a lone sunflower on a blue field. It hung from a horizontal bar instead of a vertical pole, which they reserved for the US flag.
There are conflicting records about the banner designer. The North American Vexillological Association says that it is the work of Adjutant General Joe Nickell. On the other hand, the Kansas State Historical Society points to Albert T. Reid.
Kansas – Quick facts and state symbols
| State Abbreviation | KS |
|---|---|
| State Capital | Topeka |
| Largest City | Wichita |
| State Size | Total (Land + Water): 82,277 sq miles; Land Only: 81,815 sq miles |
| Population | 2,940,546 (Estimate July 1, 2023 from United States Census Bureau) |
| Statehood | January 29, 1861 |
| State rank by population | 35th |
| State rank by date of formation | 34th |
| State rank by area | 15th |
| Number of Counties | 105 |
| Demonym | Kansan |
| Bordering States | Colorado, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma |
| Official Language | English |
| Highest Point | Mount Sunflower 4,041 ft (1231 m) |
| Lowest point | Verdigris River at Oklahoma border 679 ft (207 m) |
| Length | 213 miles (343 km) |
| Width | 410 miles (660 km) |
| Governor | Laura Kelly (D) |
| Lieutenant Governor | David Toland (D) |
| Electoral Votes | 6 |
| State Motto | Ad astra per aspera (To the stars through difficulties) |
| State Nickname | Sunflower State; Jayhawk State |
| % Water | 0.6 |
| Noble prize Winners | Earl W. Sutherland, Jr. (Physiology or Medicine, 1971) Vernon L. Smith (Economic Sciences, 2002) |
| Famous people | Will Shields (Pro Football player) Joe Tinker (Baseball player) Lynette Woodard (Basketball player) Silas Griffis (Hockey player) Kari Wahlgren (Actress) Jerrod Niemann (Singer) |
| State Amphibian | Barred tiger salamander |
| State Animal | American Buffalo |
| State Bird | Western Meadowlark |
| State Flower | Wild sunflower |
| State Flying Fossil | Pteranodon |
| State Grass | Little bluestem |
| State Insect | Honey bee |
| State Marine Fossil | Tylosaurus |
| State Reptile | Ornate box turtle |
| State Tree | Plains cottonwood |
| Longitude | 94° 35′ W to 102° 3′ W |
| Latitude | 37° N to 40° N |
| Time Zone | Central Time Zone, Mountain Time Zone |
| Website | www.kansas.gov |
| Area Codes | 316, 620, 785, 913 |
| Table last updated | June 27, 2024 |