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You
have seen my virtual home on the net. If you are reading this, you are still
seeing it, but now I would like to take you on a picture tour, by no means
complete of my rl, (real life) home. First a little history:
Wichita was founded in 1864 as a trading post on the site of a village of the Wichita Indians, and owed its early development to the Texas cattle trade along the Chisholm Trail, and to the rapid spread of agricultural settlement along the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway, then under construction. In its early years Wichita was a stopover on cattle drives to Abilene and other points as the railroad moved west; in 1872 the line reached Wichita, and the city became a major cattle-shipping center. By 1875 farmers' fences were obstructing the movement of beef herds, than grain took over as an important part of the economy. (past polls) Entertainment Caucus 04 elections life in the us |
During the 1930's partially in part due to the needs for grain for the troops
during WW1, farmers were encouraged to plow more and more of the land and
seeding areas in the prairies states. Kansas was included in that and suffered
terribly windy conditions that pretty well blew the top soil out of the state.
Strong winds noted in this area with no mountains to block them had a
devestating effect on the area. In succeeding years the dust storms re-occurred
from December to May. Crops and pasture lands were ruined by the harsh storms,
which also proved a severe health hazard. The uprooting, poverty, and human
suffering caused during this period is notably portrayed in John Steinbeck's,
"The Grapes of Wrath". Through later governmental intervention and methods of
erosion-prevention farming, the Dust Bowl phenomenon has been virtually
eliminated, thus left a historic reference, source: encarta
encyclopedia
Wichita is also home to several yearly functions that are fun and bring in
revenue. Both in the spring you will find The Rennaisance Faire, hosted by
Kansas Newman University and The Wichita River Festival, hosted by the city of
Wichita.
Wichita is home to more than 330,000 people living in neighborhoods scattered
over 120 square miles, as well as three major universities,_ Kansas Newman(Catholic),_Friends(Quaker),_and Wichita
State(secular). There are several other community colleges and universities
within 30 minutes to 4 hour drive.
More modern history:
Wichita is the largest city in Kansas. This is
confusing to some who are sure it is Kansas City. The problem lies in the fact
that most of Kansas city is in Missouri. Wichita prides itself on being the 'air
capitol' of America, and rightly is home to many of the notables in air craft
manufacture; Boeing, Learjet, and Cessna for instance. You can see hundreds of
contrails in an hour of looking out your window. MCConnell AFB is based here as
well and yearly host an aviation show, most often with the 'blue angels'.
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(author's note: I hope you enjoy my attempt to bring a small part of Kansas into your life. Please feel free to send email to, , and a note in my guestbook is also appreciated, whether a critique of this site or your appreciation for it. ENJOY!!)
(thanks to "Viper" for the lake applet and tutorial!)
