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KDWPT Kiosk Part 1 Wetlands and Wildlife National Scenic Byway There are over 800 bird Welcome to the Wetlands and Wildlife National The Wetlands and Wildlife National Scenic egrets, great blue herons, whooping cranes, and species in the United States Byway is one of a select group designated bald eagles. Cheyenne Bottoms and Quivira are Scenic Byway, showcasing the life of two of with over 450 found in by the Secretary of the U.S. Department home to nearly half of America’s bird species, of Transportation as “America’s Byways,” 19 reptile species, nine amphibian species, and the world’s most important natural habitats. Kansas and over 350 in offering special experiences of national and a variety of mammals. At the superb Kansas Cheyenne Bottoms and international significance. The byway connects Wetlands Education Center, along the byway two distinctly diverse types of wetlands that and adjacent to Cheyenne Bottoms, state-of-the- Quivira. Besides birds, attract a worldwide audience of birdwatchers, art exhibits and expert naturalists will introduce there are 23 species of lovers of wildlife, photographers, naturalists, the subtle wonders of the area. mammals, 19 species of and visitors in search of the quiet beauty of nature undisturbed. On the southern end of the byway, the 22,000- reptiles, and nine species of acre Quivira National Wildlife Refuge offers Cheyenne Bottoms is America’s largest inland a contrasting wetlands experience – a rare amphibians. freshwater marsh and hosts a staggering inland saltwater marsh. The refuge’s marshes, variety of wildlife. It is considered one of the sand dunes, prairies, and timber support most important stopping points for shorebird such endangered species as the least tern and migration in the Western Hemisphere, snowy plover and provide habitats for quail, hosting tens of thousands of North America’s meadowlarks, raptors, and upland mammals. For shorebirds during migration periods, as well a close-up view of this distinctive environment, as the seasonal stayovers by sandhill cranes, follow Big Salt Marsh Wildlife Drive. White-Tailed Deer Goodland Leavenworth Manhattan Topeka Lawrence Olathe Salina Land’s Legacy Wetlands and Wildlife National Scenic Byway Storylines of the Kansas Byways Dowitchers This byway connects two world-renowned natural wetlands, Snowy Egret Yellow-Headed Blackbird Beaver Massassauga Cheyenne Bottoms and Quivira National Wildlife Refuge, comprising Sand Prairie El Dorado over 60,000 acres, in addition to crossing the Arkansas River. The Wichita Land’s Legacy is hundreds of thousands of migrating birds that have relied on the marshes for millennia. 1890 Storefronts, Claflin A view of Cheyenne Bottoms from the K-4 Overlook. Brit Spaugh Zoo, Great Bend Kansas Wetlands Education Center at Cheyenne Bottoms, Great Bend Stafford County Courthouse, St. John Wolf Pond in Ellinwood Beginning Your Byway Tour Clayton L. Moses Memorial Band Shell, Great Bend Cheyenne Bottoms viewing tower Metal Pole Art Installation, Hoisington The First United Methodist Church Building in Stafford is on the National Historical Register. Claflin Ellinwood Great Bend Hoisington Hudson Stafford St. John This small town sits near the Ellinwood, between Cheyenne Great Bend, founded in 1871 near Hoisington, “Heart of Cheyenne Along a quiet road sits Hudson, Stafford, “Gateway to Quivira Picturesque St. John sits near geographic center of the state Bottoms and the Quivira Wildlife Fort Zarah on the Santa Fe Trail, Bottoms,” has a story tied to a timeless rural town. Platted National Wildlife Refuge,” is the Quivira National Wildlife of Kansas. Its geology boasts a Refuge, attracts nature lovers and was named after the Arkansas the railroad. The area’s first train in 1887 by a New York migrant, rich in architecture, history, and Refuge. Established in 1875 by legendary vein of limestone, an hunters alike. Developed as the River’s “great bend.” A cowtown arrived in 1886, but Hoisington Hudson suffered several fires small town charm with a strong Mormons, the city’s first building, internationally important wetland railroad came through in 1872, the in the late 1800s, it transitioned became the main station in 1889. from 1904 to 1921, one of which connection to nature. Founded in a small white church on a hill, for migratory birds, and steadily city grew quickly with German into a regional commercial center Today, visitors are attracted destroyed the “Flats” business 1878, the city vied for the county still stands. With the building producing oil fields. Day-to-day and Austrian descendants. as the cattle trade shifted. The to the city and region for district. However, Hudson seat in four separate elections, of the courthouse in 1886, St. life mixes hard working farmers Located on the Santa Fe Trail, discovery of oil helped the town exceptional experiences, like the persevered. Today the town sits including the 1883 election, which John settled the county seat and oilmen with shoppers it also became a social and boom, and by 1930, it boasted 62-handcrafted metal pole art near the Quivira National Wildlife occurred during a tornado that dispute. Today the courthouse who drive long distances to cultural center in the 1890s. The over 3,000 wells. The city not installations along Main Street Refuge and TransAmerica Bicycle destroyed the town and ballots. is still located in the downtown, experience Claflin’s 100-year old architecture of Main Street and only sent their boys off to war, or a visit to Cheyenne Bottoms’ Trail, surrounded by prime Ultimately, St. John won the adjacent to the stately town business on Main Street and its its underground shops, which still but was also a training center for unique eco-system. Values like hunting area. Home of Hudson county seat. Undaunted, the square, fountain, and historic block-length façades reproducing draw visitors, display the area’s B-29 bomber personnel during respect for nature, community Cream Flour and Wheatland Café, city continued as a place where commercial buildings. Visitor the 1890 downtown storefronts. proud heritage as a tribute to its World War II. Great Bend remains hard work, and optimism persist the town continues welcoming tourists could rest on their way highlights include the Lucille Hall determination and a postcard for a regional center with a robust in a city truly in the hands visitors to the authentic to visit the whooping cranes, Museum and Martin Cemetery for small town America. downtown featuring events like of nature. heart of America. and enjoy places like the Stafford Exodusters. the Art and Wine Walk with County Museum and notable artistic birdhouses, and an array buildings such as the First United of retail and food shops. Methodist Church, designed by a student of Frank Lloyd Wright. Birdhouse Art Walk, Great Bend Underground World, filled with abandoned businesses connected by underground tunnels, is available for tours WPA murals in the Hoisington post office. in Ellinwood. Wetlands and Wildlife National Scenic Byway Map Points of Interest Welcome to the land of Wetlands Martin Cemetery US-50 1.5 miles west of US-281 This historic cemetery is where the Exodusters, African-American settlers of Stafford County, and Wildlife, a place where were buried, several in unmarked graves. Deception Creek Lucille M. Hall Museum 304 N. Main Street, St. John everywhere you look shows 281 Lucille M. Hall museum on St. John’s Square offers a Victorian Tea event showcasing different themes and interests of the early pioneers of the area. Hall was a teacher and world traveler and evidence of motion and change. Cow Creek her museum carries on her passion of introducing children to cultures outside their community. McCandless Prairie Dog Town HOISINGTON US-281 Stafford County K4 Scenic As you drive south on US 281 to St. John look to the west for the McCandless prairie dog town. Overlook 15 miles Claflin Home to scores of black-tailed prairie dogs, the “town” stands out on the landscape. Many animals utilize their interconnected burrows, including snakes and burrowing owls. K4 Learn More Along The Route: Blood Creek Quivira National Wildlife Refuge (QNWR) 1434 NE 80th Street, Stafford Hoisington Encompassing over 22,000 acres, QNWR provides migratory waterfowl with food, water, and Interpretive Sign Cheyenne Bottoms Preserve shelter, in addition to harboring other wildlife. Over 300 species of birds have been observed on the refuge, including the endangered whooping crane. It acts as a significant staging area for Southwest of US-281/N. Main Street and 2nd Street Intersection The Nature Conservancy K156 migratory birds traveling to traditional nesting grounds. The area features hunting, fishing, and the Refuge Visitors Center. Barton County West - Nature Conservancy Entrance Stafford County Museum Interpretive Signs & Nature Conservancy Kiosk Cheyenne Bottoms Southeast of K-4 and NE 20 Avenue Intersection Wildlife Area 100 N. Main Street, Stafford The Stafford County Museum is housed in several buildings in downtown Stafford, the most Barton County East - K-4 Overlook impressive of which is a former 1905 bank. Inside are thousands of artifacts, including a Kiosk and Interpretive Signs genealogy research center, an auto museum, historical newspapers, rural school displays, and 281 10 miles a collection of antique farm implements. Of special interest are the 29,000 glass photographic K-4, 8 miles east of Hoisington between NE 80 and 90 Avenues Kansas Wetlands negatives produced by Mr. Gray. His studio in St. John is on the National Historic Register. Claflin Education Center Stafford County Flour Mill Interpretive Signs 108 S. Church Street, Hudson Little Cheyenne Creek Northeast of K-4/W. Front Street and 5th Street Intersection For over 100 years, this mill has specialized in making “flour without a fault.” Visitors to the mill learn grain milling techniques and mill history from one of the nation’s most experienced and Kansas Wetlands Educational Center knowledgeable millers. This informative program includes history, methods, and a tour of the Interpretive Signs working mill.
Recommended publications
  • Jan Garton and the Campaign to Save Cheyenne Bottoms
    POOL 2 –CHEYENNE BOTTOMS, 1984 “Now don’t you ladies worry your pretty little heads. There’s $2,000 in our Article by Seliesa Pembleton budget to take care of the Bottoms this summer.” With those words we were Photos by Ed Pembleton ushered from the office of an indifferent agent of the Kansas Fish and Game Commission (now Kansas Department of Wildlife Parks, and Tourism). Little did he know those were fighting words! snewofficersoftheNorthernFlint Jan Garton came forward to volunteer endangered, too. Water rights for the Hills Audubon Chapter in as conservation committee chair, and with Bottoms were being ignored; stretches of AManhattan, Jan Garton and I had some urging, also agreed to be chapter the Arkansas River were dry; and flows travelled to Pratt seeking a copy of a secretary. We set about finding other from Walnut Creek, the immediate water Cheyenne Bottoms restoration plan community leaders to fill the slate of source, were diminished. prepared years before by a former officers and pull the organization out of Bottoms manager. We were dismissively its lethargy. We recognized the need for a Like a Watershed: Gathering told, “It’s around here somewhere.” compelling cause to rally around and Jan Information & Seeking Advice Managing to keep her cool, Jan informed immediately identified Cheyenne Bottoms Our first actions were to seek advice the agent he needed to find it because we as the issue that inspired her to volunteer. from long-time Audubon members and would be back! On the drive home from By the end of the first year, chapter others who shared concern about the that first infuriating meeting we had time membership had almost doubled in part Bottoms.
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  • Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area
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