Western Plains Historic Byway – Corridor Management Plan 2009
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Western Vistas Historic Byway Corridor Management Plan January 2010 Western Vistas Historic Byway – Corridor Management Plan TABLE OF CONTENTS 2 Western Vistas Historic Byway – Corridor Management Plan TABLE OF CONTENTS I. BYWAY ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ............................................................................................................ 5 Leadership Team: .................................................................................................................................. 6 Committee Planning Team: .................................................................................................................... 6 Contributors: .......................................................................................................................................... 6 II. BYWAY OVERVIEW .................................................................................................................................. 7 Executive Summary: .............................................................................................................................. 8 Byway Overview: ................................................................................................................................... 8 Route Description: ................................................................................................................................. 9 Vision and Mission Statements: ............................................................................................................. 9 Historic Overview: .................................................................................................................................. 9 The Kansas Historic Byways Program: ................................................................................................ 10 The National Scenic Byways Program: ................................................................................................ 10 Purpose of a Byway Corridor Management Plan: ................................................................................. 10 Planning Process: ................................................................................................................................ 11 Western Vistas Byway Committee: ...................................................................................................... 11 III. BYWAY MAP(S) AND TOUR .................................................................................................................. 12 Byway Map and Legend ....................................................................................................................... 12 Table of Contents of Sites and Historical Stories .................................................................................. 15 Individual County Maps and Sites ........................................................................................................ 18 Historical Stories ................................................................................................................................ 100 IV. BYWAY MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES AND IMPLEMENTATION ...................................................... 116 Interpretative Plan .............................................................................................................................. 117 Preservation Strategy......................................................................................................................... 117 Enhancement Goals:.......................................................................................................................... 118 Investment Strategies and Funding Sources: ..................................................................................... 118 Maintenance Strategy: ....................................................................................................................... 118 3 Western Vistas Historic Byway – Corridor Management Plan V. BYWAY MARTKETING AND PROMOTIONAL PLAN ........................................................................... 119 Overall Market: ................................................................................................................................... 120 Marketing Goals: ................................................................................................................................ 120 Marketing Strategy: ............................................................................................................................ 120 Promotional Plans: ............................................................................................................................. 120 Priority of Projects and Estimated Costs: ........................................................................................... 121 Measures of Success: ........................................................................................................................ 121 VI. BYWAY MANAGEMENT AND HIGHWAY SAFETY ............................................................................ 122 Present Highway Status: .................................................................................................................... 123 Traffic Patterns: .................................................................................................................................. 124 Safety Issues: .................................................................................................................................... 125 VII. BYWAY SUMMARY ............................................................................................................................. 126 Overall Summary: .............................................................................................................................. 127 Overall Goals: .................................................................................................................................... 127 VIII. APPENDIX ............................................................................................................................................ 128 APPENDIX A: RESOLUTIONS ......................................................................................................... 129 APPENDIX B: LETTERS OF SUPPORT ........................................................................................... 138 APPENDIX C: EDUCATIONAL REFERENCE MATERIALS ............................................................. 150 APPENDIX D: ANIMALS, BIRDS, AND PLANTS .............................................................................. 153 APPENDIX E: LODGING, DINING, SHOPPING, FUEL, PARKS AND POOLS ................................. 163 APPENDIX F: LOCAL EVENTS ........................................................................................................ 166 4 Western Vistas Historic Byway – Corridor Management Plan I. BYWAY ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 5 Western Vistas Historic Byway – Corridor Management Plan I. BYWAY ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Leadership Team: John Foster Director, Wallace County Economic Development -Chairman Barbi Winderlin Director,Travel and Tourism, Scott City Raelene Keller Director, Wild West Historical Foundation, Inc. Committee Planning Team: Scott County: Barbi Winderlin, Director, Travel and Tourism Dennie Siegrist, El Quartelejo Museum Larry Hoeme, Scott County Commissioner Greg Mills, Natural Resource Officer I, Scott Lake Park Betty Latoush, Scott County Travel and Tourism Jerry Thomas, Artist Logan County: Raelene Keller, Director, Wild West Historical Foundation, Inc. Barbara Shelton, Owner, Keystone Gallery Lewis Evins, Nature Conservancy Andrea Plummer, Butterfield Trail Museum Jim Millensifer, Oakley Convention Visitor Bureau Mike Baughn, President, Smoky Hill Trail Assn. Kelsey Von Leonrod, Director, Fick Fossil Museum Cindy Mullen, Fick Fossil Museum Wallace County: John Foster, Director, Wallace County Economic Development Julie Samuelson, The Western Times (Newspaper) Jayne Humphrey Pierce, President, Fort Wallace Museum Assn. Buddy & Glena Allaman, Clark-Robidoux House Cheri Rhea, Recreation & Rhea Antique Pump Organ Museum Chrysanne Grund, Project Director, Greeley County Health Services Contributors: Bloom Studio, Map consultant Rick Stevens, Program Service Mgr II, Scott Lake Park Brian Bartles, Sternberg Museum Bill Ball, Pastor, Weslyan Church, Hostelries and Restaurants Jim Talbert, Photographer Joy Roggee, Butterfield Trail Museum Carinda McConnell, Oakley Area Chamber of Commerce Robert J. Hoard, PhD, State Archeologist, Kansas Historical Society Tod Bevitt, Member, Kansas Anthropological Association (KAA) Nancy Arendt, High Plains Chapter of the Kansas Anthropological Assn. (KAA) 6 Western Vistas Historic Byway – Corridor Management Plan II. BYWAY OVERVIEW 7 Western Vistas Historic Byway – Corridor Management Plan II. BYWAY OVERVIEW Executive Summary: John Foster, Wallace County Economic Development Director and new resident, shortly after his arrival to Wallace County, was confronted with the all too familiar plight of communities in rural America, specifically the rapid depopulation trend coupled with both business closures and youth flight. His studies indicated quick action was needed that could potentially assist in curbing the aforementioned trends. Foster diligently explored a multitude of possibilities and discovered the Kansas Scenic Byway Program, administered by the Kansas Department of Transportation. After conversations with the Coordinator and receiving