First published in The Emporia Gazette October 28, 2003

A BOOK TOUR OF KANSAS

by Cheryl Unruh


Interstate Highway 70 in Kansas seems rather straightforward.


But there could be more on the wide-open prairie than you had realized.


A new book by Ted Cable and Wayne Maley provides the play-by-play of the milepost-by-milepost journey on I-70 through the state.


The book is called “Driving Across Kansas: A Guide to I-70.”


Near milepost 316, you might spot camels in the fields and bison near milepost 235.
In the vicinity of Hays, you could meet a Volga-German or two, and a Czech at Wilson (exit 206), the Czech capital of Kansas.


Near milepost 19, way out west, there’s a huge reproduction of one of Vincent Van Gogh’s sunflower paintings. Easel and all, it stands 80 feet tall.


While the information is most beneficial for out-of-state travelers, it includes details that many Kansans will find interesting.


The book first travels Interstate 70 from east to west, an uphill drive. At the Missouri River, you will be 760 feet above sea level. By milepost 3.7, you’ve reached an elevation of 3,910 feet.


The second half of the book follows the mileposts from Colorado to Missouri, repeating some information and adding new remarks.


“Driving Across Kansas” tells how various towns and counties got their names. And, by the way, Oakley isn’t named for Annie.


Geology, wildlife, history and plants are mentioned. The book describes Post Rock, the Konza Prairie, Osage orange trees, and blue Harvestore silos. The authors talk about coyotes, railroads, sharks and wetlands.


The way it covers I-70 by the milepost, it reminds me of “Roadside Kansas” a book that discussed geology along highways in the state.


“Roadside Kansas: A Traveler’s Guide to its Geology and Landmarks” was written by Rex Buchanan and James McCauley. It follows nine U.S. highways and interstates through Kansas, describing the geology mile by mile.


Another interesting Kansas book is one that my friend Jay Price recently published on Wichita history, “Images of America: Wichita, 1860-1930.”


Jay is a history professor at Wichita State University. Although he has lived in this state for only a few years, he has immersed himself into the landscape and history of Kansas. This spring Jay appeared on the KTWU show “Sunflower Journeys” and described roadside architecture.


Jay’s book is a photo album of Wichita’s early days. Images and captions tell the city’s story and its evolution during those 70 years.


He begins with Native Americans, moves into the cowboy era, and then on to business.


Photographs cover the social aspects: ethnic and religious groups, for example. And there are pictures of town leaders and of buildings, commercial and otherwise.


If you’d like to read about the fun aspects of this state, check out Pam Grout’s “Kansas Curiosities: Quirky Characters, Roadside Oddities and Other Offbeat Stuff.”

Pam Grout encounters more than 200 things to see and do in Kansas.


The author mentions a papier-mache art studio in Norton and the Rollin Karg Art Glass gallery at Kechi.


In Salina, the Blue Heaven (recording) Studio is located in a gothic-style church with great acoustics. Stained glass windows in the studio depict jazz musicians.


Pam writes about peculiar yard sculptures, the world’s largest collection of “Gone With the Wind” memorabilia, and Lawrence’s annual art car parade, “Art Tougeau.”


The book describes underground tunnels in Ellinwood and the Clifton House in Florence, which was one of the Harvey Houses along the Santa Fe Railroad.


Even if you don’t get out much, these books provide a tour of the state and also a little time travel into Wichita’s past.


“Kansas Curiosities,” “Driving Across Kansas,” and “Roadside Kansas” are available at the Emporia Public Library and at the Town Crier Bookstore. “Kansas Curiosities” is also available at the Americus Public Library. “Images of America: Wichita, 1860-1930” can be ordered through Town Crier.

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All Content Copyright 2004 by Cheryl Unruh
Text by Cheryl Unruh | Web Design: Dave Leiker
Photography by Cheryl Unruh & Dave Leiker