That less traveled stretch of 50 taking you through towns such as Abbyville is absolutely gorgeous! Amazing what you can find when you get off the main road just a little bit
Yes, 4th Avenue in Hutchinson was the original highway 50. Also, I can remember when I was a child that highway 50 went right through town in Sylvia. Thanks for sharing your travels in Kansas. Brings back many good memories. The bandshell in the Macksville city park has a history of its own. My understanding that the rock it is built with came from many different states.
Additional info: I do not recall highway 50 going through Plevna, Abbyville etc, but rather came straight west out of Hutchinson, then swung south to go through Sylvia, then westward. The old maps on Kdot provide excellent information.
Thanks for showing the back roads of my home state. My parents moved away when I was two years old, and I have only been back to see small parts of the state twice at age 72.
My Mom is from Stafford, met my Dad at Emporia State, and I now live in Sacramento just off Hwy 50. So this road has played a part in my family's life.
The original 50 ran through Hutchinson on 4th street and continued west of Hutch for quite a few miles until it turned south for about 4 or 5 miles to pass through the town of Sylvia. North of Plevna about 7 or 8 miles was the town of Huntsville. It was called an "Inland town" because no important roads or RR went there. I lived in Plevna for 23 years and helped produce a book to celebrate the Centenial in 1986. The book is "Keep On Keepin' On"
I grew up in El Dorado, KS and have crossed the state on bicycle a couple times including quite a few miles on US 50. There is a quality and charm to that region that is unique.
I was thru that area in early June. And you've really captured a flavor of what it's like. Very well done. And thank you for doing your homework and including the population figures. As always, Thumbs up 👍
A lot (I mean a lot) of grain gins in Kansas. I like the longer videos, nice music as well. You were correct, highway 50 is a real mess. Hot here (103 degrees), be good, be safe !
I grew up in Western Kansas. Garden City. I also lived in Burrton for a bit in the 90's. Great part of the country to grow up in. Truman Capotes book. In Cold Blood, took place in Holcomb and the trial was held in Garden City.
Western Oklahoma is very similar. You can see how so many towns have shrunk to almost nothing but by the looks of many old buildings they once had life.
Great towns and area to visit. Small towns but they show pride in their area. Love the snippets of your room for the night. When you're traveling you always wonder about finding a clean, safe,reasonably priced room for the night. Loving this series. Stay safe and GOD bless
Thank you! The rooms weren’t the best but good enough. I could do reviews but didn’t want to take away from the overall theme of the video. Garden City room was average.
One thing I'm finding on your trip through Kansas is that many of the older buildings in those small towns are still well maintained in those rural Kansas towns. Goes to show that people still take pride in their communities. You are probably correct about the different iterations of US 50 over the years. Just like here in central Indiana, US 24 has followed at least three different paths over the years and with every major road construction that comes along you get old US 24, old old US 24, Logansport Road, etc. Good job. Can't wait to see what you find in Colorado!
I'm loving all of the awesome murals in some of these towns. Seems to me that driving this highway would be very relaxing. Great video, thanks for sharing.
Bucket list road trip....... Another fine video journey, Thank you for taking us along. Especially liked the boarded up quarry stone church in the early part of the video.... Keep up the good work Brother!!🙏🇺🇸
Love the brick road in Stafford. Growing up I spent a lot of time in Dodge City because my grandparents lived there and I remember it used to have a lot of brick roads. I was so fascinated by them, so interesting. When I was growing up, I never knew much about the history of Dodge City. It was always just the place where my grandparents lived. I learned more about its history later in life. We did go to the old boot hill museum when I was a kid.
The Thrasher Oil is near Halstead, I worked for Richard back in 1976 YES on Hi Way 50 2 miles west of his home. Had a small Cafe next door. It was called Farmers Corner then. Herb and Jo Unruh ran back in the 60's
That hwy is responsible for getting beef and so many other vital things that most never think of to the eastern part of the country. I live your videos. As a 23 yr trucker its nice to know people get to see the importance of small town America.
I am an Eagle Scout and when I was in high school I went to Philmont Scout Ranch several times, twice on treks and twice on staff. When I think of Cimarron, Cimarron, New Mexico is what I think of. If you ever get a chance Cimarron, New Mexico is a really neat small town with a lot of history I highly recommend visiting especially the St. James Hotel!
I remember those old cement-slab highways. There was the incessant thump-thump of the tires going over the seams. When the roads would get too bumpy, they would do an operation called mud-jacking, where they would pump mud under the concrete to level it. Old US-50 goes through Hutchinson along 4th Street. Your first shot of downtown Hutchinson is at the corner of 4th & Main; you were crossing Old 50 right there. My parents had a motel on the east side from 1956-76. When the new highway bypassed town, they converted the rooms to apartments. Old 50 goes straight west on 4th street for 41 miles and joins US-281 4 miles north of St. John. It's several miles north of the current route and even further north of Trails West. There aren't any towns on that stretch of road, but several cemeteries. Quivira National Wildlife Refuge is 3 miles north of 4th Ave. about 27 miles west of Hutchinson.
I just made a video about Trails West and realized what that original US 50 looked like (and showed it in the video). Very interesting how it came to be!
Been on US50 from Cincinnati OH to West Sacramento, CA, (and actually to the original end which is in San Francisco) - Kansas US50 has a lot of cool stuff on it. They rerouted around a lot of towns, used to go through all the little towns... Most fun for me was when I was in Delta, CO for a business trip, at a local cafe for breakfast - and one of the old ranchers having breakfast made a comment about knowing everyone in the place... I couldn't resist and said I was his neighbor just down 50 from here... about 600 miles down 50! He laughed and asked what part of Kansas I was from - told him Hutch, and darned if we didn't have some mutual acquaintances! Cattle are cattle, all over... heheh. Great road to travel.
This tour gave me a glimpse into my past. Traveled that road many times from Colorado Springs to Oklahoma by bus in the 60’s when I was a tiny little girl with my momma. We would travel all night stopping at all these little towns. Each one had a bus station or a bus stop which was in a gas station. I was only about 3-4 and can remember riding on that bus. Then as I grew older we traveled by car to visit my grandparents. Hwy 50 did run through all those little towns then. Thank you for this walk down memory lane
I first went to Garden City in 1973 when I was 13 years old. I love that town, even today it seems clean and new. I would often take a weekend and stay there. Sometimes I would stay over a day on my way to Colorado. They have a great public golf course there.
I love these videos of areas that I've been to (ks, ar, ok & mo when I lived in the area) or wished I gotten the chance to visit and might still someday. Still have family that lives and lived in the area and I grew up attended Wichita State University '96-2001. Wow it's been 2 decades
Thanks John... totally iconic Kansas. I have the feeling that the railroad came through the area first and the towns grew up along the railroad for obvious reasons. Only then did 50 come through the area, close to and somewhat adjacent to the railroad in many sections. So it stands to reason that the original 50 was likely set apart a ways from the town and railroad. Strategically and logistically it wouldn't make much sense to purposely go through all those towns due to the slower traffic, if you're only passing through. Especially trucks with freight and a schedule to keep. Also, early on, those sleepy small towns probably wouldn't want that much traffic passing right through their town. Given this is a farming area, the need for several small towns would be like convenience stores servicing the local farming community. The thing with farms is that they tend to survive regardless of the rest of the economy because food is needed and as long as they have some kind of elevator station next to a railroad, they can easily sell their grain and produce. However, the service industries will suffer with changes in the economy resulting in people leaving if there isn't enough business. Things like the great depression and the dust bowl were likely the greatest contributors to ghost towns during the first half of the twentieth century. Then in the sixties and seventies you had the banks illegally foreclosing on farmers in the mid west. And that destroyed communities as well, just as they were getting back on their feet from both the depression and the second world war. I think one really needs to dig deeper into those who have thoroughly researched this subject. It's clearly not just the interstate system that is responsible for small town America's suffering. Gord
It’s truly amazing the things you can find when you get off the interstates and travel the old two lane highways. Those old gas stations are fascinating, and probably not easily found on Google Maps. The only way to find some of these places is to drive through the area. Thanks for taking us along.
Where I live in Linn County Kansas, I'm surrounded by hills as I live in a valley. The town of LaCygne. Years ago my Mother, brother, sister and I visited Dodge City but it sure looked different then of course that was many years ago and my memory isn't as good as it was then but I do believe it was either the late 1960s or early 1970s. We were heading for California but never made it. We did get to Tucson Arizona and we had a camper trailer so we camped in an area near Old Tucson. Now that was an adventure for us. We had called my Dad and he couldn't believe we had gotten that far. I wanted us to go on to California but my Mother said no and we came home. We had traveled on highway 54. Then in March 1979 my Mother and I made it to California and that was a fantastic trip. She had always wanted to see the ocean so naturally we took the boat to Catalina Island. So if you ever want a fun trip go to Catalina Island and take a glass bottom boat ride. That is if they still have them. This trip of yours on highway 50 was interesting but it was also quick. Happy trails to you and God bless.
About a mile or so east of US 400 from Fort Dodge is the Coronado Cross. It's a monument for the Explorer who stayed in the area en route to find the city of gold. If you ever drive through again, check it out. Great video! Grew up in Dodge all my life, I've always said the actual Fort Dodge building across from the Solider's home should be a museum or an NPS site. I'd love to go inside.
If I had to guess, the reason why they made 50 into Trail Rd through those three small towns, they are so small and quiet, they didn't want the traffic (?) even though 50 doesn't look that busy
I think you are right but before the interstates were built the US routes were the interstate routes and the bypasses were to get the traffic away from the towns.
Love that you are doing this trip. Having grown up in a small (1000 or so population) town in Northeast Texas, I really enjoy seeing all the small towns and ghost towns you visit. Too often we are in a big hurry to get to our destination to really enjoy the journey. Thank you for taking us along for the ride. Safe travels West.
The old US50 South used to enter Reno County NW of Burrton on Avenue G then curved north to 4th Avenue east of Hutchinson. It followed 4th Avenue through Hutchinson, and then most of the way through Reno County before it turned South at Huntsville in western Reno County, I believe. It may have continued farther west of Huntsville.
It was heartening to see Kendall has retained a functioning Tardis. Not something you see everyday. You motel choice in Garden City is one I stayed at.50 Is an interesting road. Where it traverses my home state will be good to see. Rode it more then a few times. Looking forward to the continuation of this series.
I’ve been loving your Hwy 50 series!❤❤. I was unaware of this highway and find it so interesting. I love when you take us through towns because my favorite part is the old sections of town. The architecture of the old buildings and the small town feel. Thank you so much for your efforts and videos!❤❤😊😊
Much of that Sante Fe Railroad, which is the RR that runs along HWY50 is on the old Sante Fe Trail. First it was the trail, then the railroad followed in most of the way, then eventually the highway was built. For years before the highway was built, it was the Santa Fe trail/road. Of course as the years went by the trail become a road, first crudely maintained, then better and better as the years went by, it became a gravel road that cars and trucks used. I believe the HWY 50 started in the 1920s to pave it.
I live in emporia KS in 50 is my main highway all the way to the Colorado, I've always believed it was a fun drive till you hit Dodge City but after that from there to the Colorado border that's when you hit a lot of unincorporated towns ghost towns and pretty much become a two-lane highway to Colorado
Thanks for the very nice tour. My job from 1982-87 was at the electric power cooperative for the western one-third of Kansas (Sunflower Electric Power Coop). I traveled to or near most of places you showed and they brought back lots of memories. Please keep doing what you do so very well! Dale
An excellent overview of central/western Kansas. So much good info. How do you research this stuff? Seeing these tiny towns raises so many questions. How did St. John Kansas, a town that never came close to topping 2,000 population, get such a huge mural of pioneer settlers?
Thank you! Often on a trip like this I do a little research before leaving but not too much, then do more in the editing process. Mostly online and sometimes at my local library here in Wichita.
During WWII, my grandfather was stationed somewhere in Kansas (I think Wichita?) and he was hitchhiking in Newton in 1943. A group of guys stopped and asked "Do you know where we can get some women?" and my gpa said probably Hutchinson. He ended up meeting my grandmother at a train station or hotel in Hutch later that day. They were married two weeks later. If it weren't for Route 50, well.....I've been to Hutch many times to visit relatives and in all honesty it's a great place to live, but not a great place to visit. The underground salt museum is really cool though.
Another interesting video of places most will never see. At the beginning of my work career, I traveled Western Kansas every five weeks but always on a set route so it's nice to see areas I never traveled. One thing I hate seeing are the wind farms, such a tremendous blight on the landscape.
I’ve had this discussion about wind farms with others and I’m always left feeling indifferent. They are obviously impressive and stand out in rural areas, but I hear what you’re saying as well. It feel like a contradiction in wide open spaces if that makes sense.
Burrton has an amazing restaurant right on Highway 50 called The Barn! Went there last week when we were passing through from Wichita and it was the best food I’ve had in a long time and a really neat environment! Thank you for all you do with these videos, fellow Kansan here, from Great Bend!
My parents owned a nice motel at Guymon,OK in the middle 60's. A room for one person was $6.00. Looked very similar to the room you stayed in. Have things changed!
I notice that the population high-water mark is often between 1910 (passage of the Enlarged Homestead Act) and 1930, the beginning of the Great Depression. But some towns continued to grow. So Why was that? What forces were in play to let some towns succeed, and others fail? Pop quiz on Tuesday.
Don't know if you know - BUT once back when (early 70s) Newton Kansas had consistenly one of the great BB Gun Chamiponship Teams (Daisy - US Jaycees). NEWTON always sort of either in FIRST or Second place at the end.
I am a lifetime resident of Kansas. Most of the "old highways" in Kansas did follow the railroads, and therefore go right through small towns built along the railroads, because they leased the land from the railroads in order to build the highways without having to purchase Right-of-Way or use Eminent Domain to obtain it. As the years went along the State decided to move away from the railroad's land due to Right-of-Way constraints caused by this model. Hence highways were moved away from the small towns, sort of as "by-passes". Unfortunately this caused the "demise" and downturn of many of the small towns due to less traffic and businesses closing or moving away. However, many small towns are making a comeback since people are realizing the VALUE in RURAL LIVING. Many small towns are re-vitalizing their "Main" streets and local businesses are once again being created. TRAVEL RUAL KANSAS!!!! You will find a LOT MORE than what you see along I-70. It was built where the most flat land is and in a "straight" line to move across the state. It does NOT reflect the actual true beauty of Kansas. Come and visit us, we will welcome you!!
I just found your video. I'm looking forward to seeing your take on a couple of towns on your path, just west of Garden City. My grandparents lived in Deerfield all their life, and I still have relatives in Lakin. The cemetery at the eastern egde of Lakin has quite a few of my ancestors in it. My grandfather was even a county commissioner for over 20 years, ending with his passing in the early 1990s. The community center in Deerfield (which i caught a glimpse of during your pass thru) has my grandfather's name on a plaque commemorating the building. Sadly, i have not been out that way since I attended a funeral for a great uncle back in 2008.
Thank you for the nice comment! I really enjoyed that part of the state - I’d never been there before. Love the small towns there - wish I could’ve explored more!
@@TravelwithaWiseguy I'm not sure if you know or not, but a famous "robbery gone wrong" happened in Holcomb in 1959. It was the basis for the book In Cold Blood by Truman Capote, which was later made into a movie in the 1960s. It just happened that the incident occurred the same year my mom graduated from high school.
That was a proper variety of towns all with two things in common.... water towers and grain elevators. We have plenty of water towers up and down the UK but you never see grain elevators. We handle our grain in a different fashion to you and up until about 100 years ago it was milled locally and moved around in sacks. Kansas must be a bread basket state, although it looks quite green for USA, was this area part of the dust bowl? (Fairly flat, few hedges and huge fields). I noticed a road in Plevna called Slavery Road, I bet that has some interesting history. Well done John and thank you very much.
Great video! I always appreciate you posting the pictures of the route you take, as my Gazetteer map doesn't have some of the towns yours has, such as Belfast and Snyder. Got them mapped out on mine now! Keep up the great work! Also to answer your question, Trail West Road was the old highway.
@TravelwithaWiseguy Looking forward it. Lots of little towns around Hutch. Think I read there were at least 70 towns in Reno County. Sadly, a good chunk are gone.
@@TravelwithaWiseguy Well, if you don't mind this one recommendation, if you want to add to your water tower collection with a real unique tower, go to Adair
Having worked all over the state from Doniphan County to Finney County, I probably would have turned around at Newton :). A few western KS memories are that cockeyed intersection in Kinsley that is quite dangerous, and the smelly feedlots around Dodge and G.C. G.C was an awful place to live. Its only redeeming quality was the El Conquistador restaurant. I will say the people out west are much nicer, than in the East.
Really enjoyed the video. I'm from Hutch and familiar with several of these towns because of family living in some of them. I'd like to see you do a tour from Hutchinson along 61 Hwy thru Partridge, Arlington, Langdon, Turon, etc. Maybe you've done that route and I just missed it.
Good of you to stay off the current main sections of U.S. 50, 56, 54 and 400. There are lots of head on fatality crashes, especially west of Newton and toward Pratt and on to Dodge City. Much more enjoyable travel on the old sections that you can still drive on. Also the county roads. Have you done the stretch on U.S. 160 from around Ashland through the Gypsum Hills to Medicine Lodge? Check out the scenic route through that area. Then make the trip from Lake City (west of Medicine Lodge) up to Sun City. Google the history of those two towns including the days of the Cattle Combine and the big round ups. Lots of history there.
@@TravelwithaWiseguy I’m currently watching your video on Oklahoma No Man’s Land. I wish I could keep up with you. I’m 71 years old and just 25 days past my second hip replacement in less than a year. I now have a matched pair of hardware. I hope to be able to walk well enough to do some hunting on my farm by this Fall. I’ll find your videos about Sun City. Keep up the good work.
I know the origins of many of these towns are based on the early settlers' mode of transportation (such as horse and buggy/wagon,) and the progression of the railroad. Just think if communities were founded today! There would be far fewer, with the addition of the automobile! Unfortunately, our mobility will probably contribute to the demise of many communities that are barely hanging on. I appreciate the population charts and showing your route highlighted on a map. Great video, and don't give a second thought to holding your work to 30 minutes. Your peeps are along for the ride, no matter the clock! Thanks very much, Coach Wise!
Thank you very much! I wonder what will happen to these communities in the future. It all seems to depend on the evolution of transportation, so I wonder what happens with the next thing. Maybe there will be a yearning for history and able to live in these towns when we can teleport ourselves anywhere 😂😂
@@TravelwithaWiseguy We are a mobile society and yes, transportation has caused dramatic changes. I ask myself as I travel through the state, "I wonder if this building/barn/old school house will still be standing in another 15 - 20 years?" When property isn't maintained, it collapses. I'm pleasantly surprised to see so many older structures still upright, and not in a heep. The old buildings and barns are so cool!
kdot has a website with kansas maps all the way back to the 1920's.us 50 in kansas had a north route that went through mcpherson, and the south route witch is close to what is now kansas 50
After you show your trip, will any of these non ghost town small towns be pulled out and have their own little place in the Sunday small towns portion of your videos?
That’s basically what I’m doing with the Thursday videos. Last year I released all the Oregon Trail videos consecutively and then released the extra videos after. This time I’m doing it as we go. At the end I only have one extra video. But it’ll be a while at the pace this series will go.
Lived in Dodge City much of my life, I have never known of Sears Kansas and didn’t recognize the location in the video. Any more information? I have been to many of these places but you have shown me new places. I helped build the hotel replica at the front street replica in Dodge City
You’ve got some history of your own in Dodge City! Sears was just west of Dodge maybe a couple miles. I don’t much at all about it except there were a few old buildings and maybe an agricultural area or business.
@@TravelwithaWiseguy I was trying to find information about Sears Kansas and found a website Legends of Kansas, if you aren’t familiar with it I think you might find it interesting
Yes! That’s a great website I’ve used many times. On trips like this with so many towns I don’t always research every little one very much, but it’s a great resource!
How many Dollar Generals-type stores did you see on 50? And what were the gas stations like where you filled up with gas, were they chains or local? What I am asking were the store's Mom and Pop or like Casey's, One more question is 50 used much for travelers or Semi Truck Drivers? Thank you.
Great questions. Definitely a mix. Because it was sometimes near the expressway you’d get the chains and many Dollar Generals. But I also still saw plenty of local places. It’s quite a busy road with both semis and travelers - especially in this part of Kansas. I thought there were be zero traffic in places like Nevada but the traffic was decent still even though it’s sparsely populated. There aren’t many other ways to go once you get out there and you can drive fast haha. I was happy several mom and pop’s were still open.
Here's my US 50 playlist! czcams.com/play/PL4jqwLUrhjNQw1ob-VqcbJ9BTlM1BAV6Q.html
I grew up in Kansas. I have been to virtually all of these towns. Thanks for the memories!
Thank you! Fun trip for me too!
Holcomb .....site of the Clutter murderer's in 1959 and the movie In Cold Blood 1968 , from the Truman Capote book .
That less traveled stretch of 50 taking you through towns such as Abbyville is absolutely gorgeous! Amazing what you can find when you get off the main road just a little bit
I really liked that too. I took note to go back again someday along that little part.
4th street in hutch and then south and over to Trails West was the original (or mid century) US50 roadway. You guessed right.
Yes, 4th Avenue in Hutchinson was the original highway 50. Also, I can remember when I was a child that highway 50 went right through town in Sylvia. Thanks for sharing your travels in Kansas. Brings back many good memories. The bandshell in the Macksville city park has a history of its own. My understanding that the rock it is built with came from many different states.
Additional info: I do not recall highway 50 going through Plevna, Abbyville etc, but rather came straight west out of Hutchinson, then swung south to go through Sylvia, then westward. The old maps on Kdot provide excellent information.
Thank you for taking me back 40 years when I last drove that road. It looks pretty much the same! Your videos are perfect!
Thanks so much for the nice comment! My pleasure!
Thanks for showing the back roads of my home state. My parents moved away when I was two years old, and I have only been back to see small parts of the state twice at age 72.
Thanks for watching! My pleasure!
My Mom is from Stafford, met my Dad at Emporia State, and I now live in Sacramento just off Hwy 50. So this road has played a part in my family's life.
The original 50 ran through Hutchinson on 4th street and continued west of Hutch for quite a few miles until it turned south for about 4 or 5 miles to pass through the town of Sylvia. North of Plevna about 7 or 8 miles was the town of Huntsville. It was called an "Inland town" because no important roads or RR went there. I lived in Plevna for 23 years and helped produce a book to celebrate the Centenial in 1986. The book is "Keep On Keepin' On"
Great journey through Kansas, I love those small towns that still have things going on and proud of their heritage.
I really love stopping in these small Kansas towns. I always wish I could stay longer!
Something I have learned, it's amazing how many towns are named after big railroad muckety mucks or their relatives/friends.
For sure - and usually to gain favor with the railroad.
Gotta love Western Kansas, nothing like the GREAT PLAINS. Thanks for the tour, it's been years since I was thru there.
It’s definitely an unique place to drive through and explore. I always love it too! Thanks for watching!
Finding this trip fascinating. From UK, thanks for all your hard work.
Thank you! I promise it will get even mor interesting as we go 😊
I grew up in El Dorado, KS and have crossed the state on bicycle a couple times including quite a few miles on US 50. There is a quality and charm to that region that is unique.
I was thru that area in early June. And you've really captured a flavor of what it's like. Very well done. And thank you for doing your homework and including the population figures.
As always, Thumbs up 👍
Thanks so much! I love learning about each one and seeing how unique their histories are. Appreciate it!
A lot (I mean a lot) of grain gins in Kansas. I like the longer videos, nice music as well. You were correct, highway 50 is a real mess. Hot here (103 degrees), be good, be safe !
Thank you! Most of these Sunday videos will be longer with shorter ones on Thursday. Lots of road to see!
I grew up in Western Kansas. Garden City. I also lived in Burrton for a bit in the 90's. Great part of the country to grow up in. Truman Capotes book. In Cold Blood, took place in Holcomb and the trial was held in Garden City.
On the road....with a wise guy 👦 👌 👍 😊
Seems like most of these central Kansas towns had big, brief population increases in the early 20th century. Love how you plan your routes.
Yes they did! The depression and dust bowl certainly hurt
Western Oklahoma is very similar. You can see how so many towns have shrunk to almost nothing but by the looks of many old buildings they once had life.
Great towns and area to visit. Small towns but they show pride in their area. Love the snippets of your room for the night. When you're traveling you always wonder about finding a clean, safe,reasonably priced room for the night. Loving this series. Stay safe and GOD bless
Thank you! The rooms weren’t the best but good enough. I could do reviews but didn’t want to take away from the overall theme of the video. Garden City room was average.
One thing I'm finding on your trip through Kansas is that many of the older buildings in those small towns are still well maintained in those rural Kansas towns. Goes to show that people still take pride in their communities.
You are probably correct about the different iterations of US 50 over the years. Just like here in central Indiana, US 24 has followed at least three different paths over the years and with every major road construction that comes along you get old US 24, old old US 24, Logansport Road, etc.
Good job. Can't wait to see what you find in Colorado!
Thank you! I enjoy learning and trying to figure it out as I go. Colorado will certainly start to be more mountainous!
@@TravelwithaWiseguy We'll be there with you, in spirit at least. Can't wait to see what you uncover along the way!
I'm loving all of the awesome murals in some of these towns. Seems to me that driving this highway would be very relaxing. Great video, thanks for sharing.
Thank you! I love the murals too and try to include them when I see them!
Most people miss the allure of Kansas. I'm glad you've highlighted it here.
Thank you very much :)
Bucket list road trip.......
Another fine video journey, Thank you for taking us along.
Especially liked the boarded up quarry stone church in the early part of the video....
Keep up the good work Brother!!🙏🇺🇸
Thank you! It was indeed a fun journey and will continue to be very interesting as we head west!
Love the brick road in Stafford. Growing up I spent a lot of time in Dodge City because my grandparents lived there and I remember it used to have a lot of brick roads. I was so fascinated by them, so interesting. When I was growing up, I never knew much about the history of Dodge City. It was always just the place where my grandparents lived. I learned more about its history later in life. We did go to the old boot hill museum when I was a kid.
The Thrasher Oil is near Halstead, I worked for Richard back in 1976 YES on Hi Way 50 2 miles west of his home. Had a small Cafe next door. It was called Farmers Corner then. Herb and Jo Unruh ran back in the 60's
Great road trip. I haven't been that way for 45 years. Sad to see so many dying towns since I regularly went through them. Thanks John
Thank you! There are still a few towns doing ok - hopefully they can continue to survive!
That hwy is responsible for getting beef and so many other vital things that most never think of to the eastern part of the country. I live your videos. As a 23 yr trucker its nice to know people get to see the importance of small town America.
Thank you! Great info and very true!
I am an Eagle Scout and when I was in high school I went to Philmont Scout Ranch several times, twice on treks and twice on staff. When I think of Cimarron, Cimarron, New Mexico is what I think of. If you ever get a chance Cimarron, New Mexico is a really neat small town with a lot of history I highly recommend visiting especially the St. James Hotel!
I remember those old cement-slab highways. There was the incessant thump-thump of the tires going over the seams. When the roads would get too bumpy, they would do an operation called mud-jacking, where they would pump mud under the concrete to level it.
Old US-50 goes through Hutchinson along 4th Street. Your first shot of downtown Hutchinson is at the corner of 4th & Main; you were crossing Old 50 right there.
My parents had a motel on the east side from 1956-76. When the new highway bypassed town, they converted the rooms to apartments. Old 50 goes straight west on 4th street for 41 miles and joins US-281 4 miles north of St. John. It's several miles north of the current route and even further north of Trails West. There aren't any towns on that stretch of road, but several cemeteries. Quivira National Wildlife Refuge is 3 miles north of 4th Ave. about 27 miles west of Hutchinson.
I just made a video about Trails West and realized what that original US 50 looked like (and showed it in the video). Very interesting how it came to be!
Been on US50 from Cincinnati OH to West Sacramento, CA, (and actually to the original end which is in San Francisco) - Kansas US50 has a lot of cool stuff on it. They rerouted around a lot of towns, used to go through all the little towns...
Most fun for me was when I was in Delta, CO for a business trip, at a local cafe for breakfast - and one of the old ranchers having breakfast made a comment about knowing everyone in the place... I couldn't resist and said I was his neighbor just down 50 from here... about 600 miles down 50! He laughed and asked what part of Kansas I was from - told him Hutch, and darned if we didn't have some mutual acquaintances! Cattle are cattle, all over... heheh.
Great road to travel.
Thank you for the comment - just down the road 600 miles 😂😂
This tour gave me a glimpse into my past. Traveled that road many times from Colorado Springs to Oklahoma by bus in the 60’s when I was a tiny little girl with my momma. We would travel all night stopping at all these little towns. Each one had a bus station or a bus stop which was in a gas station. I was only about 3-4 and can remember riding on that bus. Then as I grew older we traveled by car to visit my grandparents. Hwy 50 did run through all those little towns then. Thank you for this walk down memory lane
Awesome! Thank you for the nice comment!
I first went to Garden City in 1973 when I was 13 years old. I love that town, even today it seems clean and new. I would often take a weekend and stay there. Sometimes I would stay over a day on my way to Colorado. They have a great public golf course there.
Yes Garden City has quite a bit going on and seems in pretty good shape moving forward!
I love these videos of areas that I've been to (ks, ar, ok & mo when I lived in the area) or wished I gotten the chance to visit and might still someday. Still have family that lives and lived in the area and I grew up attended Wichita State University '96-2001. Wow it's been 2 decades
Go Shocks 🌾😊
You are correct , trails west used to be hwy 50 and it curved to the north of Sylvia to go toward Stafford.
Thanks John... totally iconic Kansas. I have the feeling that the railroad came through the area first and the towns grew up along the railroad for obvious reasons.
Only then did 50 come through the area, close to and somewhat adjacent to the railroad in many sections.
So it stands to reason that the original 50 was likely set apart a ways from the town and railroad.
Strategically and logistically it wouldn't make much sense to purposely go through all those towns due to the slower traffic, if you're only passing through.
Especially trucks with freight and a schedule to keep. Also, early on, those sleepy small towns probably wouldn't want that much traffic passing right through their town.
Given this is a farming area, the need for several small towns would be like convenience stores servicing the local farming community.
The thing with farms is that they tend to survive regardless of the rest of the economy because food is needed and as long as they have some kind of elevator station next to a railroad, they can easily sell their grain and produce.
However, the service industries will suffer with changes in the economy resulting in people leaving if there isn't enough business.
Things like the great depression and the dust bowl were likely the greatest contributors to ghost towns during the first half of the twentieth century.
Then in the sixties and seventies you had the banks illegally foreclosing on farmers in the mid west.
And that destroyed communities as well, just as they were getting back on their feet from both the depression and the second world war.
I think one really needs to dig deeper into those who have thoroughly researched this subject.
It's clearly not just the interstate system that is responsible for small town America's suffering.
Gord
It’s truly amazing the things you can find when you get off the interstates and travel the old two lane highways. Those old gas stations are fascinating, and probably not easily found on Google Maps. The only way to find some of these places is to drive through the area. Thanks for taking us along.
I agree! I would not have found them if I didn’t film these videos - but so glad I did! Thanks for the comment 😊
Where I live in Linn County Kansas, I'm surrounded by hills as I live in a valley. The town of LaCygne. Years ago my Mother, brother, sister and I visited Dodge City but it sure looked different then of course that was many years ago and my memory isn't as good as it was then but I do believe it was either the late 1960s or early 1970s. We were heading for California but never made it. We did get to Tucson Arizona and we had a camper trailer so we camped in an area near Old Tucson. Now that was an adventure for us. We had called my Dad and he couldn't believe we had gotten that far. I wanted us to go on to California but my Mother said no and we came home. We had traveled on highway 54. Then in March 1979 my Mother and I made it to California and that was a fantastic trip. She had always wanted to see the ocean so naturally we took the boat to Catalina Island. So if you ever want a fun trip go to Catalina Island and take a glass bottom boat ride. That is if they still have them. This trip of yours on highway 50 was interesting but it was also quick. Happy trails to you and God bless.
About a mile or so east of US 400 from Fort Dodge is the Coronado Cross. It's a monument for the Explorer who stayed in the area en route to find the city of gold. If you ever drive through again, check it out. Great video! Grew up in Dodge all my life, I've always said the actual Fort Dodge building across from the Solider's home should be a museum or an NPS site. I'd love to go inside.
If I had to guess, the reason why they made 50 into Trail Rd through those three small towns, they are so small and quiet, they didn't want the traffic (?) even though 50 doesn't look that busy
I think you are right but before the interstates were built the US routes were the interstate routes and the bypasses were to get the traffic away from the towns.
Museums & Scenic Overlooks makes a good trip. Thanks for the ride.
Love that you are doing this trip. Having grown up in a small (1000 or so population) town in Northeast Texas, I really enjoy seeing all the small towns and ghost towns you visit. Too often we are in a big hurry to get to our destination to really enjoy the journey. Thank you for taking us along for the ride. Safe travels West.
Thank you! I’d love to do something like this through Texas someday!
The old US50 South used to enter Reno County NW of Burrton on Avenue G then curved north to 4th Avenue east of Hutchinson. It followed 4th Avenue through Hutchinson, and then most of the way through Reno County before it turned South at Huntsville in western Reno County, I believe. It may have continued farther west of Huntsville.
Thanks for the info!
It was heartening to see Kendall has retained a functioning Tardis. Not something you see everyday. You motel choice in Garden City is one I stayed at.50 Is an interesting road. Where it traverses my home state will be good to see. Rode it more then a few times. Looking forward to the continuation of this series.
I didn’t know much about Kendall but there was a lot of ghost town qualities there!
I’ve been loving your Hwy 50 series!❤❤. I was unaware of this highway and find it so interesting. I love when you take us through towns because my favorite part is the old sections of town. The architecture of the old buildings and the small town feel. Thank you so much for your efforts and videos!❤❤😊😊
Aww thanks so much! I love the small towns too - just wish I had more time to stay longer!
True that!
Much of that Sante Fe Railroad, which is the RR that runs along HWY50 is on the old Sante Fe Trail. First it was the trail, then the railroad followed in most of the way, then eventually the highway was built. For years before the highway was built, it was the Santa Fe trail/road. Of course as the years went by the trail become a road, first crudely maintained, then better and better as the years went by, it became a gravel road that cars and trucks used. I believe the HWY 50 started in the 1920s to pave it.
Arkansas closed their veterans home. A few soldiers died and just gave up when they had to move losing their friends. They built a new one eventually.
I lived in Newton KS for almost 9 years and would drive to Colorado and back taking Hwy 50.
Fun way to get there!
I live in emporia KS in 50 is my main highway all the way to the Colorado, I've always believed it was a fun drive till you hit Dodge City but after that from there to the Colorado border that's when you hit a lot of unincorporated towns ghost towns and pretty much become a two-lane highway to Colorado
Thanks for the very nice tour. My job from 1982-87 was at the electric power cooperative for the western one-third of Kansas (Sunflower Electric Power Coop). I traveled to or near most of places you showed and they brought back lots of memories. Please keep doing what you do so very well! Dale
Thank you! I will try - it’s a lot of fun for me 😊
My brother was with DCPD for a while, it was a busy town. Great base for exploring the area.
10/10 for the Cosmosphere.
As always...
I’ve actually still not visited the Cosmosphere, but am planning to sometime before too long. Hope all is well!
An excellent overview of central/western Kansas. So much good info. How do you research this stuff?
Seeing these tiny towns raises so many questions. How did St. John Kansas, a town that never came close to topping 2,000 population, get such a huge mural of pioneer settlers?
Thank you! Often on a trip like this I do a little research before leaving but not too much, then do more in the editing process. Mostly online and sometimes at my local library here in Wichita.
Have you ever read the book In Cold Blood? It's one of my favorites and Holcomb is the famous setting for it.
I haven’t but someone else mentioned that one to me as well!
I read all of the comments so far 4 people have mentioned Holcome and Coldblood. :) @@TravelwithaWiseguy
During WWII, my grandfather was stationed somewhere in Kansas (I think Wichita?) and he was hitchhiking in Newton in 1943. A group of guys stopped and asked "Do you know where we can get some women?" and my gpa said probably Hutchinson. He ended up meeting my grandmother at a train station or hotel in Hutch later that day. They were married two weeks later. If it weren't for Route 50, well.....I've been to Hutch many times to visit relatives and in all honesty it's a great place to live, but not a great place to visit. The underground salt museum is really cool though.
Oh wow that’s an interesting story!! For your sake I’m glad he took the advice 😂
You found the suspension bridge in Halsted!!! In the last 20 or so yrs they have made a lot of changes to 50 and 96 in the Hutchinson area.
Cool bridge and neat town!
Another interesting video of places most will never see. At the beginning of my work career, I traveled Western Kansas every five weeks but always on a set route so it's nice to see areas I never traveled. One thing I hate seeing are the wind farms, such a tremendous blight on the landscape.
I’ve had this discussion about wind farms with others and I’m always left feeling indifferent. They are obviously impressive and stand out in rural areas, but I hear what you’re saying as well. It feel like a contradiction in wide open spaces if that makes sense.
Ah, great trip! Love old 50! Thanks for bringing all this to us!
My pleasure as always!! Thank you!
thank you for this brief and interesing trip through the southern part of Kansas.
Burrton has an amazing restaurant right on Highway 50 called The Barn! Went there last week when we were passing through from Wichita and it was the best food I’ve had in a long time and a really neat environment! Thank you for all you do with these videos, fellow Kansan here, from Great Bend!
I’ll definitely keep that in mind next time I’m in the area. Thank you!!
Great video brother! Hoot Owl 🦉 Oklahoma!🙄🫥🫥🫥🫥
Yes! Population 0!
@@TravelwithaWiseguy Let’s see how long the Population 0 holds!
I’d Iove to go back sometime!
@@TravelwithaWiseguy Same! I remember going w my dad fishing in Hoot Owl when I was 2 years old
I enjoy your videos. They are a lot of fun to watch. Thank you for your hard work.
Glad you like them! Thank you!
My parents owned a nice motel at Guymon,OK in the middle 60's. A room for one person was $6.00. Looked very similar to the room you stayed in. Have things changed!
Wow $6!
Hi john thanks for the tour its great seeing the towns an love the old gas station . Cheers mate🇦🇺
The old gas stations are great! Thank you very much!
Just found your channel. Love your work. It quenches my wanderlust while I’m stuck at home
Awesome! Thank you very much!
Last week I was in South East Kansas and Oklahoma
thanks for sharing, awesome video
Thanks for watching!
Really interesting, many thanks John.
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it!
I notice that the population high-water mark is often between 1910 (passage of the Enlarged Homestead Act) and 1930, the beginning of the Great Depression. But some towns continued to grow. So Why was that? What forces were in play to let some towns succeed, and others fail? Pop quiz on Tuesday.
some towns got a small college
That would be a boost, for sure. @@alanm2842
Great show, when you're done coaching try making money with your drone. You take amazing photos.
Thank you. I already have made some with it!
Love your videos keep up the good work
Thanks, will do!
Don't know if you know - BUT once back when (early 70s) Newton Kansas had consistenly one of the great BB Gun Chamiponship Teams (Daisy - US Jaycees). NEWTON always sort of either in FIRST or Second place at the end.
I am a lifetime resident of Kansas. Most of the "old highways" in Kansas did follow the railroads, and therefore go right through small towns built along the railroads, because they leased the land from the railroads in order to build the highways without having to purchase Right-of-Way or use Eminent Domain to obtain it. As the years went along the State decided to move away from the railroad's land due to Right-of-Way constraints caused by this model. Hence highways were moved away from the small towns, sort of as "by-passes". Unfortunately this caused the "demise" and downturn of many of the small towns due to less traffic and businesses closing or moving away. However, many small towns are making a comeback since people are realizing the VALUE in RURAL LIVING. Many small towns are re-vitalizing their "Main" streets and local businesses are once again being created. TRAVEL RUAL KANSAS!!!! You will find a LOT MORE than what you see along I-70. It was built where the most flat land is and in a "straight" line to move across the state. It does NOT reflect the actual true beauty of Kansas. Come and visit us, we will welcome you!!
Thank you for the great info!
I just found your video. I'm looking forward to seeing your take on a couple of towns on your path, just west of Garden City. My grandparents lived in Deerfield all their life, and I still have relatives in Lakin. The cemetery at the eastern egde of Lakin has quite a few of my ancestors in it. My grandfather was even a county commissioner for over 20 years, ending with his passing in the early 1990s. The community center in Deerfield (which i caught a glimpse of during your pass thru) has my grandfather's name on a plaque commemorating the building. Sadly, i have not been out that way since I attended a funeral for a great uncle back in 2008.
Thank you for the nice comment! I really enjoyed that part of the state - I’d never been there before. Love the small towns there - wish I could’ve explored more!
@@TravelwithaWiseguy I'm not sure if you know or not, but a famous "robbery gone wrong" happened in Holcomb in 1959. It was the basis for the book In Cold Blood by Truman Capote, which was later made into a movie in the 1960s. It just happened that the incident occurred the same year my mom graduated from high school.
Yes! Several people have actually mentioned that in the comments here. Very interesting!
I grew up in Kinsley and Iagree the little museum is worth the stop. Not much else going on though.
That was a proper variety of towns all with two things in common.... water towers and grain elevators. We have plenty of water towers up and down the UK but you never see grain elevators. We handle our grain in a different fashion to you and up until about 100 years ago it was milled locally and moved around in sacks. Kansas must be a bread basket state, although it looks quite green for USA, was this area part of the dust bowl? (Fairly flat, few hedges and huge fields). I noticed a road in Plevna called Slavery Road, I bet that has some interesting history. Well done John and thank you very much.
Very interesting! Good catch on the road name I didn’t see that!
Great video! I always appreciate you posting the pictures of the route you take, as my Gazetteer map doesn't have some of the towns yours has, such as Belfast and Snyder. Got them mapped out on mine now! Keep up the great work! Also to answer your question, Trail West Road was the old highway.
Thanks! And I thought that made sense about Trail West Rd. I’d like to do a longer video about those towns someday!
@TravelwithaWiseguy Looking forward it. Lots of little towns around Hutch. Think I read there were at least 70 towns in Reno County. Sadly, a good chunk are gone.
My second son was born in Kinsley, Kansas
I thought I would mention when you come to Iowa, hope all goes well. I won't be presumptuous as to recommend anything as I'm sure you have a plan.
Haven’t planned anything yet except plotted out the smallest towns. The trip won’t happen til maybe October so I’ve got some time 😊
@@TravelwithaWiseguy Well, if you don't mind this one recommendation, if you want to add to your water tower collection with a real unique tower, go to Adair
Hopefully I can check it out!
Gilbertville and Raymond have a lot of small towns around them.
Sounds like "New" Route 40 and "Old" Route 40 in the town in Illinois I grew up in
I think a lot of roads are like that!
I enjoyed the trip
Awesome video. I was born in Kinsley👍
Thank you!!
Guitarist Joe Walsh was born in Wichita!
I love how most of the town's populations haven't wavered much.
That pay phone in Kendall is the 1st I have seen in several decades. Wonder if it worked.
I should’ve tried! They had one in Coolidge too.
Having worked all over the state from Doniphan County to Finney County, I probably would have turned around at Newton :). A few western KS memories are that cockeyed intersection in Kinsley that is quite dangerous, and the smelly feedlots around Dodge and G.C. G.C was an awful place to live. Its only redeeming quality was the El Conquistador restaurant. I will say the people out west are much nicer, than in the East.
Really enjoyed the video. I'm from Hutch and familiar with several of these towns because of family living in some of them. I'd like to see you do a tour from Hutchinson along 61 Hwy thru Partridge, Arlington, Langdon, Turon, etc. Maybe you've done that route and I just missed it.
Thank you! I don’t know if you saw recently, but I did a video about Trail West Rd that goes through Partridge. It was a fun little drive!
Thank you. Somehow I missed that one. I will watch it soon.
@@TravelwithaWiseguy
Love it Great Person for an adventure. Keep it up From Kinsley.
Thanks so much! 😊
Good of you to stay off the current main sections of U.S. 50, 56, 54 and 400. There are lots of head on fatality crashes, especially west of Newton and toward Pratt and on to Dodge City. Much more enjoyable travel on the old sections that you can still drive on. Also the county roads. Have you done the stretch on U.S. 160 from around Ashland through the Gypsum Hills to Medicine Lodge? Check out the scenic route through that area. Then make the trip from Lake City (west of Medicine Lodge) up to Sun City. Google the history of those two towns including the days of the Cattle Combine and the big round ups. Lots of history there.
Thank you and yes I actually did a couple videos from around that area including Sun City and Lake City 😊
@@TravelwithaWiseguy I’m currently watching your video on Oklahoma No Man’s Land. I wish I could keep up with you. I’m 71 years old and just 25 days past my second hip replacement in less than a year. I now have a matched pair of hardware. I hope to be able to walk well enough to do some hunting on my farm by this Fall. I’ll find your videos about Sun City. Keep up the good work.
@@davewinter2688 here ya go! czcams.com/video/Ke-T8fAVqxc/video.html
I know the origins of many of these towns are based on the early settlers' mode of transportation (such as horse and buggy/wagon,) and the progression of the railroad. Just think if communities were founded today! There would be far fewer, with the addition of the automobile! Unfortunately, our mobility will probably contribute to the demise of many communities that are barely hanging on. I appreciate the population charts and showing your route highlighted on a map. Great video, and don't give a second thought to holding your work to 30 minutes. Your peeps are along for the ride, no matter the clock! Thanks very much, Coach Wise!
Thank you very much! I wonder what will happen to these communities in the future. It all seems to depend on the evolution of transportation, so I wonder what happens with the next thing. Maybe there will be a yearning for history and able to live in these towns when we can teleport ourselves anywhere 😂😂
@@TravelwithaWiseguy We are a mobile society and yes, transportation has caused dramatic changes. I ask myself as I travel through the state, "I wonder if this building/barn/old school house will still be standing in another 15 - 20 years?" When property isn't maintained, it collapses. I'm pleasantly surprised to see so many older structures still upright, and not in a heep. The old buildings and barns are so cool!
Thank you for the posts! I enjoy reading them - I think this channel has revealed some of the smartest viewers on CZcams!
@@TravelwithaWiseguy I'd say your viewers know quality work when we see it! 👍
I may be one of your dumbest viewers, LOL! @@TravelwithaWiseguy
There was a US 50 North, and a US 50 south, in Kansas.
Yes I believe I talked about that in the eastern Kansas version of this trip.
Hutchinson is smallville. In Superman
kdot has a website with kansas maps all the way back to the 1920's.us 50 in kansas had a north route that went through mcpherson, and the south route witch is close to what is now kansas 50
Thank you! And yes I found those maps after I made this trip haha
Zenith!
You should come to Burlingame ks not much to see but it's a nice town
Population 971. Sounds about perfect for a small town, USA video 😊
There was a bank robbery in Kinsley in the 1870's or 80's
After you show your trip, will any of these non ghost town small towns be pulled out and have their own little place in the Sunday small towns portion of your videos?
That’s basically what I’m doing with the Thursday videos. Last year I released all the Oregon Trail videos consecutively and then released the extra videos after. This time I’m doing it as we go. At the end I only have one extra video. But it’ll be a while at the pace this series will go.
Lived in Dodge City much of my life, I have never known of Sears Kansas and didn’t recognize the location in the video. Any more information? I have been to many of these places but you have shown me new places. I helped build the hotel replica at the front street replica in Dodge City
You’ve got some history of your own in Dodge City! Sears was just west of Dodge maybe a couple miles. I don’t much at all about it except there were a few old buildings and maybe an agricultural area or business.
@@TravelwithaWiseguy I was trying to find information about Sears Kansas and found a website Legends of Kansas, if you aren’t familiar with it I think you might find it interesting
Yes! That’s a great website I’ve used many times. On trips like this with so many towns I don’t always research every little one very much, but it’s a great resource!
Is it ok to request to vlog Norton county and Philips County of Ks? If that’s possible thank you.
My husband came from that areas.
It's ok to request! Just not sure when I can get around to those areas :)
I had no idea Coolidge, Kansas was a scene in Christmas Vacation. Any idea what scene?
Oooh I’ll let you know Thursday 😉
How many Dollar Generals-type stores did you see on 50? And what were the gas stations like where you filled up with gas, were they chains or local? What I am asking were the store's Mom and Pop or like Casey's, One more question is 50 used much for travelers or Semi Truck Drivers? Thank you.
Great questions. Definitely a mix. Because it was sometimes near the expressway you’d get the chains and many Dollar Generals. But I also still saw plenty of local places. It’s quite a busy road with both semis and travelers - especially in this part of Kansas. I thought there were be zero traffic in places like Nevada but the traffic was decent still even though it’s sparsely populated. There aren’t many other ways to go once you get out there and you can drive fast haha. I was happy several mom and pop’s were still open.
Thank you, hearing that the Mom and Pops are hanging in there is good news.@@TravelwithaWiseguy
There's a Hutchinson MN