From the zoo to the Sedgwick County Museum, find out what Wichita, Kansas is known for in this blog post!
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Introduction
Wichita is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kansas and the county seat of Sedgwick County. As of 2019, the estimated population of Wichita was 390,591. Wichita is the principal city of the Wichita metropolitan area which had an estimated population of 644,610 in 2018. Located in south-central Kansas on the Arkansas River, Wichita began as a trading post on the Chisholm Trail in the 1860s and was officially incorporated as a city in 1870. It subsequently became a key destination for cattle drives traveling north from Texas to railheads in Kansas City and Siberia when hitsched to steam locomotives. Along with beef processing plants, many other industries have large operations in Wichita including aircraft manufacturing, automobile manufacturing, mining, machine tool manufacturing and doughnut production.
Wichita’s main cultural attractions include museums such as the Wichita Art Museum, the Old Cowtown Museum, and the Sedgwick County Zoo. Old Town district downtown has nightclubs, restaurants, and shopping. Annual events include Riverfest which takes place downtown along the Arkansas River; Jazz Festivals; Fais Do-Do Cajun & Creole Festivals; Flatland Cavalry Country/Folk Festivals; St Patrick’s Day celebrations; Fiesta Mexicana which is one of Wichita’s largest Cinco De Mayo celebrations outside of Mexico; Summer Nights music concerts at Botanica Gardens; Food Truck Thursdays lunchtime gatherings during warm months at various parks around town where food trucks serve their wares; HarvestFest Oktoberfest celebrations; Thanksgiving Day Sky Concert fireworks display launched from Century II Performing Arts & Convention Center during Riverfest that can be heard throughout most of town weather conditions permitting; Winter Wonderland holiday light display at Reflection Pond on botanica grounds; New Year’s Eve festivities culminating with countdown to midnight fireworks display released from Century II Performing Arts & Convention Center that can also be seen and heard throughout much of town weather conditions permitting.
History
Wichita, Kansas is a city with a rich history. Founded in 1864, Wichita was initially a stop on the Chisholm Trail for cowboys driving cattle from Texas to Kansas railroads. In the early 1900s, aircraft manufacturing took off in Wichita with companies such as Beechcraft, Cessna, and Stearman all calling the city home. Today, Wichita is known as the “Air Capital of the World” and is home to many aviation companies and museums. The city is also known for its delicious food, diverse culture, and friendly Midwestern hospitality.
Geography
Wichita is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kansas and the county seat of Sedgwick County. As of 2019, the estimated population of Wichita was 390,591. Wichita is the principal city of the Wichita metropolitan area, which had an estimated population of 644,610 in 2018. Located in south-central Kansas on the Arkansas River, Wichita began as a trading post on the Chisholm Trail in the 1860s and was officially incorporated as a city in 1870. The city rapidly grew into a meatpacking and manufacturing hub after the Civil War. As one of the most productive oil fields around, many refineries were built in Wichita between 1915 and 1930. Agriculture has long been central to the state’s economy, especially wheat and cattle production; as well as livestock feedlots (particularly for pigs) and dairies being located along riversides due to needing water for operations.
Wichita is located on I-35 between Dallas/Fort Worth (to its south) and Omaha/Lincoln (to its north), about equidistant from each; I-135 runs directly through downtown connecting to Salina to its south and Kansas City, Missouri to its north; while I-235 bypasses downtown connecting southeast suburbs with northwest suburbs. The city is also served by several freight railroads including BNSF Railway & Union Pacific Railroad whose main lines pass through Wichita’s northwest & southeast sides respectively; while their subsidiary Kansas & Oklahoma Railroad has trackage rights over BNSF’s line serving as a connection to Nebraska & Missouri.
Demographics
Wichita is the largest city in the state of Kansas and the 48th-largest city in the United States. According to the 2019 estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau, Wichita had a population of 389,965, making it the 104th-most populous city in the country and the most populous city in Kansas. Wichita is home to Sedgwick County, the most populous county in Kansas.
Wichita is located in south-central Kansas on the Arkansas River near where it intersects with the Little Arkansas River. The city began as a trading post on the Chisholm Trail in the 1860s and was incorporated as a city in 1870. It soon became a destination for cattle drives traveling north from Texas to railroads and stockyards in Kansas City, Missouri. In 1880, William Howe Downey established Celtos Brewing Company, which became one of the largest breweries by 1892. In 1918, Adolph Coors started Coors Porcelain Company at 81st Street and Broadway Boulevard; it moved to Golden, Colorado in 1929 after merging with another firm to form what would become Adolph Coors Company (now MillerCoors).
Today, Wichita is known for its aerospace industry, as aircraft corporations Bombardier Learjet and Cessna are headquartered here; both were founded by men who made their fortunes in oil businesses (Clarence Cessna and Bill Lear respectively). The city is also headquarters for Spirit AeroSystems (a major supplier for Boeing), Airbus Americas Engineering Center (opened in 2013), Textron Aviation (the result of a merger between Beechcraft and Hawker), Dillon Gage Metals (one of world’s largest precious metals dealerships), Coleman Company (manufacturer of outdoor recreation products), Jardine Foods (processor and distributor of fresh foods), hypocenter of field productivity solutions FTS International (oil services company) among others. In 2009 Forbes ranked Wichita second within “The Best Places For Business And Careers”, while Kiplinger ranked Wichita first on its list of “Ten Great Cities For Raising Families”.
Economy
Wichita is known for being the birthplace of major aircraft manufacturers Boeing and Beechcraft, and for Hawker Beechcraft’s worldwide headquarters. Cessna Aircraft Company is also headquartered in Wichita. All three companies were founded by men who made aircraft in their garages, and all three are now tired of Wichita’s chilly winters. The city’s other main source of income is agriculture.
Education
Wichita is known for its education system, with nearly 90% of residents having completed high school and 27% having attained a bachelor’s degree. The city is home to several colleges and universities, including Wichita State University, Newman University,Friends University, and the Wichita Area Technical College.
Culture
Wichita, Kansas is known for its culture, including its contributions to the arts, cuisine, and entertainment. The city has a diverse array of cultural attractions, including museums, theaters, and parks. Wichita is also home to a number of professional and collegiate sports teams.
Sports
Wichita is known for a variety of sports teams and events. The Wichita Wranglers were a minor league baseball team that played in the city from 1998 to 2007. The team was replaced by the Wichita Wingnuts, who currently play in the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball. The city has also hosted the National Baseball Congress World Series annually since 1935.
Basketball is also popular in Wichita, with the Wichita State Shockers men’s basketball team regularly drawing large crowds to their games. The team has made it to the NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Tournament thirty-six times, most recently in 2021, and have made fourteen appearances in the Final Four.
TheKansas Star Arena hosts a variety of sporting events, including indoor football and arena soccer. The arena is also home to the Kansas Knights, an NBA G League team that is affiliated with the Miami Heat.
Conclusion
As you can see, Wichita, Kansas is known for a variety of things. From its rich history and culture to its modern amenities and attractions, there is something for everyone in Wichita. Whether you’re looking for a fun family vacation or a romantic getaway, Wichita is the perfect destination. So what are you waiting for? Plan your trip today!
