The Great Seal of the State of Kansas (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Kansas became the 34th state on January 29, 1861. There are people who think of Kansas as mostly flat land filled with farms, they we all witness tornadoes on an annual basis, are friends with Dorothy Gale. Well those stereotypes are not true.
Some wonder if anything good comes out of Kansas. My response it many good things have. Those in senior living facilities or seniors living at home can celebrate Kansas Day with a look at these good things.
Walter Chrysler (auto manufacturer) is from Ellis, Kansas. The Chrysler website a video about his life and iconic Chrysler cars. Sing your favorite car song such as “Route 66” or “Baby You Can Drive My Car”.
Amelia Earhart (aviator) was from Atchison, KS She was the first woman granted a pilot’s license by the National Aeronautics Associate. She also made history as the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. Check out the official website for fun photos and facts. Sing a song about flying such as “Come Josephine in My Flying Machine” or “Leaving On a Jet Plane”.
Dwight D. Eisenhower (general and President) lived for many years in Abilene, Kansas where his Presidential Library is now located. The library website shares many facts about Ike. Share the campaign song and see if anyone remembers hearing it.
Stan Kenton (jazz) was born in Wichita, Kansas. Though he lived there a short time, he often returned to Wichita to perform. See who remembers his music by sharing some hits such as “Artistry in Rhythm”, “Stompin’ At the Savoy” or “Laura” (to name just a few).
Pizza Hut restaurants opened its first store in Wichita, Kansas in 1958. Talk about first visits to a Pizza Hut and favorite types of pizza. Who remembers this theme song?
Helium was discovered in 1905 at the University of Kansas. (Rock Chalk Jayhawk!) Discuss the shortage of helium and how it is used. Consider reviewing the elements with this song by They Might Be Giants:
William Purvis and Charles Wilson of Goodland, Kansas invented the helicopter in 1909. Why not share some fun facts.
About 40 miles south of Lebanon, Kansas at Mead’s Ranch is the Geodetic Center of North America. What that means is when a surveyor checks a property line, they are checking the position in relation to this place in northwest Kansas. Use an online mapping site to find out how far you are from this site. Sing a few choruses of “This Land is Your Land”.
Does anything good come out of Kansas? I think so! I leave you with a view of many smaller communities in Kansas with the music “My Hometown”.
Singer Patti Page had deep roots in Kansas
Very fun post! TY for the fun facts!
My pleasure. Given the response I’ve had over the years when people hear I’m from Kansas, I have a feeling the “good news” doesn’t get a lot of space.
Great post! I plan to share it with my kids who are interested in the specialties of the different states. I love the song at the end.
Hope the kids enjoy the facts! “My Hometown” resonates with many places near where I live.
I love this post! Add Carrie Nation to the list of interesting Kansans.
Had to leave someone for next year’s post. :O
Wow! Well-researched post, JoAnn. I had no idea about many of these facts.Funny, growing up in Canyon Country, CA we were embarrassed about our small town (and there’s some truth to the skeptics’ claims of a small-town mentality), but now I live in a small town (South Pasadena–kinda like Mayberry), I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Love the song at the end :).
Small towns are standard out here. By Kansas standards, I currently live in a large community. The 2010 census shared a state wide average of 34.9 people per square mile. My guess is a lot of those folks like in the eastern part of the state. California in 2010 averaged 239.1 per square mile. Just a tad different in the numbers.
Rural life has its blessings and its challenges.
Love your post! I’ve lived in CA for 30 years, but once KS girl, always a KS girl 😉 I remember learning about all the above as a child. The video nearly made me cry especially when they showed Fredonia (my daddy is buried there) and Tribune visited there many times to see my great-grandparents when I was little). Many good things come from KS and I’m proud of where I came from. Thanks for reminding me! (Hi Rachelle!)
Thank you do much for stopping by, Kristine. How wonderful that you know Rachelle!
I graduated from Eureka High School (KS) so I made many trips to Fredonia for events. How wonderful to find a person with ties to western Kansas where I know live. I hope you’ll visit Kansas and this site again.
I’m originally from Wichita, grew up in Rose Hill, but had family all over the state. I met Rachelle this past August as she was one of my instructors in the MT Equivalency Distance program at St. Mary of the Woods College.
Funny how there are so many things bringing my mind back home. I want to bring my hubby and kids to visit sometime in the future, I’m sure it’s changed a lot since my last trip back in 1990.
What a wonderful set of connections! Somethings have changed and some are much the same.
JoAnn,
As a member of your neighbor state to the east, I loved all of the details that remind us that the middle of the country has contributed more than tornadoes and crops! Thanks.
Ann
Amen to that, Ann!