Western Vistas Historic Byway
Celebrating the 150th Anniversary of Kansas Statehood with a “Drive the Byway” Weekend, Saturday, May 7th and Sunday, May 8th 2011.
This is a perfect opportunity to discover the rich history and scenic beauty of the first historic byway in Kansas. Create your own weekend adventure. Attractions on the route will have special happenings, displays and events for you to enjoy.
The byway links three western Kansas counties stretching over 102 miles. It features six museums plus twelve historic and scenic sites. The byway runs north from Scott City to Oakley (US 83), then west to Sharon Springs (US 40) and can be traveled from either direction with many stops between these cities. Along this route are side trips including Lake Scott State Park (Hwy 95) and Russell Springs (Hwy 25). Come help us celebrate the first year of the Western Vistas Historic Byway and honor the 150th Anniversary of Kansas.
For more information contact: Keystone Gallery 620-872-2762 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Attraction details and event information: http://www.westernvistashistoricbyway.com
Visit http://www.ksbyways.org/pages/Western/western1.html for an overview of the entire byway including maps.
Prehistoric sea life, colorful characters, historical places and beautiful vistas existed long before Kansas statehood. Celebrate the 150th anniversary of Kansas by visiting attractions and participating in events all along the Western Vistas Historic Byway the weekend of May 7th and 8th.
Learn about the colorful adventurers scouting western Kansas, establishing frontier trails, forts, county seats and railroad lines. Imagine an ancient world where creatures swam in a vast inland sea. Hear about pioneer paleontologists wandering over chalk badlands finding fossils exposed and reporting the exciting news “back east”. Experience the actual site where pueblo Indians fled to escape Spanish persecution. Roam our scenic vistas where Indians lived and battled homesteaders, soldiers, and western expansion: all to protect their existence and roaming buffalo herds. The first historic byway in Kansas contains all this and much more. This is a perfect opportunity to discover the rich history and scenic beauty of the first historic byway in Kansas. Create your own weekend adventure. Attractions on the route will have special displays and events for you to enjoy.
The byway links three western Kansas counties stretching over 102 miles. (Scott, Logan and Wallace) It features six museums plus twelve historic and scenic sites. The byway runs north from Scott City to Oakley (US 83), then west to Sharon Springs (US 40) and can be traveled from either direction with many stops between these cities. There will be art shows in three communities for your enjoyment. In Scott City view the Kansas Sesquicentennial Art Contest at the El Quartelejo Museum & Jerry Thomas Gallery. The pieces represent the theme of the 150th birthday of the great state of Kansas. At Oakley, home of the larger-than-life Buffalo Bill sculpture, you’ll find Charlie and Pat Norton sharing stories about the sculpture and area history. The Fort Wallace Museum will feature a photography exhibit by local professional and amateur photographers illustrating the striking natural beauty and historical sites of Wallace County.
Fossil history events include: A brief fossil talk excursion into the importance of Kansas fossils since 1867 and their contribution to the world of science. Talks both days begin at 1:00 p.m. at the Keystone Gallery, located on US 83 between Oakley and Scott City. The Fick Fossil and History Museum, Oakley, will be featuring Adventures of the Sternbergs in Logan County Through Photographs. The exhibit will highlight the fossil finds of the Sternberg family. Along the Western Vistas Byway route are side trips including Lake Scott State Park (Hwy 95) and Russell Springs (Hwy 25). Within the confines of Lake Scott, the Steele homestead is preserved much as it was 100 years ago. The park includes El Cuartelejo, the northernmost pueblo site in the U. S. The Butterfield Trail Museum, Russell Springs, is the first courthouse in Logan County built in 1887. The museum features the history of the famous BOD frontier trail. The Logan House will be serving refreshments.
Need a diversion from all that history? Sharon Springs will be hosting its annual Car Show on Saturday. Last year brought a record number of entrants (75) in a variety of categories. There will also be kids games, a Poker Run and community-wide garage sales. Participate in the Whirlwind ½ Marathon via scenic roads south of Wallace or play the miniature golf challenge and sample Kansas-roasted coffee at High Plains Camping located on US 83 north of the Buffalo Bill sculpture. Browse the Smoky River Quilt Shoppe and Divine Secrets Resale Shop located virtually next to each other on Center Avenue in downtown Oakley.
Refreshments will be available at almost every attraction. Enjoy homemade delights.
The Kansas Department of Transportation byway program has nine scenic byways, and one historic byway—Western Vistas Historic Byway.
Come help us celebrate our inclusion into the states’ byway program and the 150th birthday of Kansas. Learn why western Kansas history, people and scenic vistas are so important to the state. For an overview of the entire byway including maps-visit http://www.ksbyways.org/pages/Western/western1.html
For more information contact: Keystone Gallery 620-872-2762 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Attraction details and event information: http://www.westernvistashistoricbyway.com
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