56 Interesting Facts About Kansas

Last updated on October 1st, 2022

42. 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.

43. 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.

44. Monument Rocks

These are a series of huge chalk formations that are rich in fossils and located in Gove County. They are a National Natural Landmark.

45. Kansas State Capitol

Located in Topeka, the state capitol was constructed in the French Renaissance style. It holds murals by John Steuart Curry, a native of Kansas.

46. Holy Cross Shrine

Located in Pfeifer, the shrine was referred to as the 2 Cent Church. This is because it was constructed using a 2 cent donations from every bushel of wheat sold by church members.

47. First Woman Mayor in the United States

Susan Madora Salter was the first woman mayor. In Argonia in 1887, she was elected to office.

48. Agriculture

Here is another amazing Kansas fact. Kansas is among the most productive states where agriculture is concerned. They produce high yields of soybeans, sorghum, corn and wheat.

49. Questionable Laws

In Kansas, serving ice cream on cherry pie was against the law at one period in the history of the state.

50. Was part of Louisiana purchase

Kansas was once sold to the U.S. as a part of Louisiana in 1803.

51. Highest point in the state

Mount Sunflower is Kansas’s highest point at 4,039 feet (1,231 meters).

52. 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 However, this law was repealed in 1948.

53. Tornadoes are common

Annually, Kansas is hit by approximately 50 tornadoes. Hence, the nickname “Tornado Alley”.

54. 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.  

55. Other spoken languages

Vietnamese is the most commonly spoken foreign language in Kansas. According to some estimate, nearly 0.6% of the state’s population speaks Vietnamese at home.

56. The name originates from

The state’s name comes from a Siouan-language phrase meaning “people of the south wind.”

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