High Plains History

Chicanery and hi-jinks were on tap in this non-violent but very heated county seat war.

A survivor of the Sand Creek Massacre became a famous figure in Native American History.

1965 brought more water than folks knew what to do with when the Arkansas River flooded its banks.

A philanthropist who wanted to give kids a place of their own founded a famous ranch in the Texas Panhandle.

Garden City has prospered by the labor, customs, and culture of hardworking immigrants from Old Mexico.

A mute witness to mayhem and murder was never able to tell the story of what really happened in Ness county in 1872.

In out regional history, many towns were founded or folded by the route of a railroad. Perhaps no town was more influenced by the rails than Canadian, Texas.

A walk in the park is on tap as we look at a Southwest Kansas family of philanthropists.

Listen to some "tuneful" history about the Jayhawk state.

The last lynching in Kansas was called 'justice' by many.

Journey along some of history's darker streets and alleyways as we go in search of 'red lights districts' on the frontier.

Early settlers were self-reliant in all things, including entertainment.  They would find a place for musical instruments on their trek to the unknown west.  Old photos feature pioneers standing around a pump organ in front of a dugout home.   Pianos were expensive and difficult to transport.  The organ offered an affordable alternative.   Some creative souls even placed the organ inside an empty piano case, giving the illusion of owning the rare item.  As time passed, pianos and organs went through transition in size and structure making them affordable for the middle class.  Examples of t

Mobeetie has a long history of firsts.  First established town in the Texas Panhandle, first post office, first court house, first judicial system and jail, first school, and first reported tornado- a killer storm that took seven lives in 1898.  To this day, even though a virtual ghost town, it is considered the,  "mother city,"  of the panhandle.

A look at the background of one very tough breed that helped  to feed the west.

 A famous playwright used his Kansas roots to create memorable characters and settings.

A special building in Wright Park has been home to social gatherings in Dodge City for many years.

A look at an immigrant group who helped to settle the far northwest corner of Kansas.

 The Red River Wars necessitated the formation of a command post in the Texas Panhandle known as Fort Elliott.

This true story of an infamous High Plains criminal gang plays like a fictional gangster movie of the 1930's complete with bank robberies, getaways, murders, manhunts and capture.

In 1939 the world premiere of the Hollywood western “Dodge City” brought thousands to Dodge City from both coasts and all points in-between, arriving by car, horseback and three special trains.  A parade, wild west show, rodeo and raucous celebrations accompanied the movie, which played simultaneously in three theaters.

A visit to far west Oklahoma and the home place of a famous painter.

Follow the trail of a historical building that still stands in Rawlins county, Kansas.