Western Vistas Historic Byway

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Western Vistas Historic Byway

Welcome to our beautiful 102 mile Western Vistas Historic Byway! In addition, swimming, fishing, boating, canoeing, recreational trails and wildlife abound.

Click on the link below and it will take you to our new updated Google Map locating our Western Vistas Historic Byway Venues. https://mapsengine.google.com/map/edit?mid=zduCS0bfe2dM.k1GQm1pk3EYw

Scott Lake Park, comprised of 1120 acres, offers stunning views of a beautiful lake surrounded by historically significant sites, structures, and monuments. Oakley is the “Birthplace of the Legend” of Buf

falo Bill. A twice life sized bronze sculpture honors William F. Cody who won his title in a buffalo hunting contest with William Comstock in 1868 and later became world renown for his “Wild West Show”. The sculpture is soon to be complimented by a Buffalo Bill Visitor/Cultural Center scheduled for completion in 2012. The Fort Wallace Museum provides visual evidence of a bygone era including the recently restored Pond Creek Stagecoach Station, one of only two Butterfield Overland Despatch stations remaining in existence between Leavenworth, Kansas and Denver, Colorado. Nearby is found the Fort Wallace Cemetery marked by a cenotaph erected in 1867 by the Seventh Calvary and Third Infantry. Across the dirt road and looking south is the grounds where once stood Fort Wallace. Although the Fort is no longer in existence, one can gaze into the distance and imagine George Armstrong Custer, “Wild Bill” Hickok, and others billeted in the open confines of the Fort. This geographic area is one of the richest fossil hunting areas in the world, often known as a “paleontologist’s paradise”. The byway features five museums that display fossils found locally. Numerous chalk outcroppings, where many of the fossils are found, are collectively known as the “Badlands of Kansas”. The Western Vistas Historic Byway offers multiple snapshots of history ranging from prehistoric times to early Native Americans, African Americans, soldiers and pioneers extending to today’s modern farmers. The topography includes relatively level farm land, rolling hills, valleys and eventually peaks at Mount Sunflower, the highest point in Kansas.

25/10/2024

Support tourism in Western Kansas by giving to the Western Vistas Historic Byway through the Scott Community Foundation on Giving Day, Tuesday, November 12!

24/10/2024

Thanks for stopping by the Western Vistas Historic Byway, Wherever I May Roam Blog!!

20/10/2024

Support Western Kansas area tourism through the Scott Community Foundation on Giving Day Nov. 12!

19/10/2024

The Western Vistas Byway is a proud participant in the 2024 Giving Day through the Scott Community Foundation! You can impact an entire region of Northwest Kansas through your gift to enhance travel tourism in our area!

13/08/2024

Experience the Monument Rocks Chalk Pyramids Kansas as well as other unique geology features and vibrant history along the Western Vistas Historic Byway!!

Explore Monument Rocks, the first National Natural Landmark in Kansas. Rising up to 50 feet above ground and descending 300 feet below, this Niobrara chalk formation was created during the late Cretaceous Period. The area was covered by the Western Interior Seaway which extended from the present day Gulf of Mexico north through Canada. When the sea receded, it left behind marine sedimentary deposits and fossils. Monument Rocks is located near Western Vistas Historic Byway. https://www.visitoakleyks.com/monument-rocks https://www.travelks.com/things-to-do/byways-and-highways/byways/western-vistas/

29/07/2024

We are really looking forward to hearing Gary Powers Jr. on Monday, August 5! We are giving our caterer Connie Hudson a meal count on Friday, August 2nd, so please let us know you are coming by registering online at https://ftwallace.com/product/gary-powers-jr-dinner-and-lecture/ or by calling 785-891-3564! Adults $20, all students $10.

10/07/2024

Enjoy this short film from Abt Films about many of the geological features and attractions along the Western Vistas Historic Byway!

In this video we explore the least known badlands in the United States, the Kansas Badlands! Stretching westward for about 75 miles, the Niobrara chalk beds ...

09/07/2024

Another view of the “Dust in the Wind” Stagecoach Journey, this time from the Fort Wallace Museum Nex-Gen summer intern Greta Stenner! This young lady was able to experience The Journey from many vantage points- about the stages, from Ranger vehicles and from scenic overlooks!

Dust in the Wind the name of a stagecoach journey traversed by die-hard cowboys and history enthusiasts from Missouri. From May 18-26, 2024, this crew follow...

05/07/2024

We are delighted to host Francis Gary Powers, Jr, on Monday, August 5, 2024 to discuss his father's role in the U-2 Spy Incident of 1960 which greatly heightened tensions between the Soviets and the US during the Cold War. Gary served as the consultant to the Steven Spielberg movie "Bridge of Spies" (2015) starring Tom Hanks. Ticket prices include a taco dinner (with fried ice cream!) served by Connie Hudson and the lecture. You can RSVP and pay online here:
https://ftwallace.com/product/gary-powers-jr-dinner-and-lecture/ or you can call the museum at 785-891-3564 to reserve your spot. This is a special event - Mr. Powers speaks all over the world on this subject and we appreciate him coming to Wallace, America!

27/06/2024

Learn more about the geology of Western Kansas with stimulating online classes through the Osher Institute, as well as interpreting history through the
Lens of Art! Follow the link for more info!

We offer discounts for our three alumni association partners: KU, K-State and Washburn. These discounts are only available for paid alumni association members and can only be applied to courses; they cannot apply to special events:

26/06/2024

Make your summer trek to Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park!

Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park showcases a mile-long stretch of 100-foot-tall spires and cliffs of eroded Niobrara Chalk, a layer of rock deposited 85 million years ago. Niobrara Chalk was formed by sediment that settled at the bottom of an inland ocean called the Western Interior Seaway which covered most of central North America 140 to 70 million years ago. Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park is located near Western Vistas Historic Byway. https://www.travelks.com/listing/little-jerusalem-badlands-state-park/35972/ https://www.travelks.com/things-to-do/byways-and-highways/byways/western-vistas/

10/06/2024

Another marvelous episode from Friends of the Cottonwood Ranch and Cottonwood Media! Learn more from Rowlinson and Michael Lynn Baughn, as well as Rick Hamby and DeBacker through the lens of the talented Ed Lowry. Ed was able to capture footage from the recent Stagecoach Journey "Dust in the Wind" Original music by Ward .

Don Rowlison sits down with Mike Baughn at the Butterfield Trail Museum in Russell Springs, Kansas, to discuss the B.O.B and its history along the Smoky Hil...

02/06/2024

Great job, Ad Astra Images!!

Dust In the Wind Stagecoach at Monument Rocks

02/06/2024

We are excited for this new episode of “Cottonwood Connections” on the Smoky Hill Trail and Butterfield’s Overland Despatch. It premieres this Sunday June 2nd on Smoky Hills Public TV (KOOD) at 5:00 pm MT/6:00 pm CT. Listen to the story of the early white settlement of Western Kansas as told by these two eminent historians, and illustrated by the vision of the Stagecoach Journey "Dust in the Wind"

29/05/2024

One of Western Kansas’ finest talents- Peggy Fischer of Sharon Springs! Peggy's Photography - Sharon Springs KS

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+17858211864

Website

http://www.westernvistashistoricbyway.com/

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