cattle drives between 1866-1886, 20 million cattle were herded to railheads in kansas. cattle drives...
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Cattle Drives
Between 1866-1886, 20 million cattle were herded to railheads in Kansas. Cattle drives are the movement of cattle from one place to another. The developments of railheads lead to “Cow Towns” across America. Cattle drives were most popular in June 1867. Towns like Wichita, Dodge City, and Abilene grew overnight. Cattle drives still happen in the American West and in Australia to this day.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/marvinok/1445321238/
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Crops
Did you know that Kansas is a producer for many different crops? Corn was so valuable that the early settlers used corn to trade with the Native Americans. Also, more than 80% of the crops grown in Kansas are fed to livestock. Kansas is the biggest producer of wheat. Plus, Kansas is usually the top state in the producer of both wheat and grain sorghum.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/klallier/3715569167/
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Family Farming vs. Corporate Farming
Family farming is different in many ways when compared to corporate farming. It’s also similar, but only in one way. They both sell foods. Corporate farming is a big farm that provides seeds, agrichemicals, machinery, fruits and vegetables. Cooperate farms also carry out food processing, transporting crops, and distribution. Family farming is passed down from generations. They are very small and are becoming more scarce. Family farming doesn’t make as much money. Corporate farming is contracted.
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Farming Methods and Practices
The methods of farming are the way farmers plow, plant, and harvest. The early plows were called an ard. The heavy plow was made around 1000 A.D. Later, metal was added to it. The heavy plow had two problems. One was dirt got stuck on it and had to be cleaned by hand. The other problem was the system did not work in the dense grasses of the plains. Early seed planting methods were also replaced by machinery. People used to just throw the seed on the soil. But, when the seed drill was made, it made weeding and harvesting easier. There are many methods and practices of farming.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/beamishmuseum/4932518932/
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Homesteading
Homesteading was important to the westward expansion and the habitation of the Kansas plains. The Homestead Act was an act that granted people the right to own 160 acres of land if they improved it. The first homestead was in 1870. The Felton family was one of the first families to acquire a homestead. People mostly lived in sod houses or dugouts on the land. The Homestead Act was one of the most important things that lead to people living in Kansas.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/twiliger/388658706/
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Implements and Machinery
The main machinery used in Kansas is the combine. The first combine was invented in 1838 by Hiran Moore. It was pulled by 16 or more horses. Later they were pulled by a steam engine, which was invented by George Stockton Berry. The combine could cut and thresh over 100 acres a day. Modern combines have much more to them than they used to; full stereo systems, comfortable seats, and full air-conditioning. Over all, combines have grown more sufficient over the years.
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Kansas Climate
The climate in Kansas is unreliable. The average temperature in Kansas is 55°F. The annual precipitation is 40 inches in the southeast, and 16 inches in the west. In Kansas, the record high was 121°F. That’s Blazing! Record low was -40°F, WOW, That’s CHILLY!
Let’s Talk Snow! In the northwest, there’s been a report of 36 inches of snow. Also, in the southeast there’s been a report of 11 inches snow.
Kansas is in Tornado Alley. For most cities, tornadoes happen often and for some other cities they rarely see any. In Kansas, you could have 70°F weather near the beginning of winter! The weather in Kansas is very unstable.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mattgranz/5082510904/
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Kansas Soil
Kansas soil is so good that it attracted farmers and kept getting more and more of them. There are about 300 different soils that have been identified in Kansas. Harney Silt Loam is the Kansas state soil. There are 16 different types of loams in the loam family. About 190 million tons of topsoil, is degraded each year because of human activities. It’s amazing that people identify all of the different kinds of soil.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/38841311@N06/3626114521/
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Livestock
Livestock is important to the agricultural community in Kansas. The use of livestock has changed dramatically over the past 150 years. Cattle are important because they provide meat. Dairy cows are important because they provide milk, butter, and cream. Livestock are important to farmers. Livestock provides food for merchants to sell and buy. Livestock also provide food for the farmer’s family.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/caese/2323293757/
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Organic Farming
Organic farming is farming that uses environmentally friendly techniques. Kansas Organic Producer (KOP) was established in 1974. Organic farming uses methods such as crop rotation, green manure, and biological pest control. Organic farming produces corn, wheat, soybeans, oats, sunflowers, alfalfa, clover, edible beans, blue corn, popcorn, spelt, and buck weed. There are more regular farmers than organic farmers, even though it is better for the earth.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/seancookandthehmc/3590567841/
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The History of Agriculture
The earliest settlers in Kansas were gardeners and hunters. They used buffalo bones as tools for farming. Corn, beans, squash, pumpkins, and sunflowers were grown, harvested, and stored into underground pits. Mennonite settlers from Russia came to Kansas to grow wheat in a prairie climate. They found out Kansas was the perfect place. They told other farmers to farm nearby. Therefore, this started the wheat state tradition. In 1874, the grasshopper plague broke out. During that time there was a drought. This declined the growth of corn. In Kansas, there was a plague, a drought, and a wheat growing miracle.
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Amelia Earhart
Amelia Earhart was born on July 24, 1897 in Atchison, Kansas. Throughout her lifetime she was honored for accomplishing many things, most notably her accolades in flying. She was the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean, something very daunting in her day. Her first plane was named “The Canary.” Amelia had several accidents during this period. During her attempt in 1937 to fly across the Atlantic Ocean, her plane went down near the Bermuda Triangle. She was never seen again.
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Carry Nation
Carry Nation was against tobacco and drinking. Instead, she loved attending church. She was born November 25, 1846. She went to church throughout her childhood and adulthood. She was against tobacco and drinking because her husband died. He died because he had a habit of drinking and taking tobacco too much. She fought against drinking and she went too different towns and said it should be illegal to drink, and then she got sent to jail because she was disturbing the peace. She was a Sunday school teacher. She was an outspoken woman.
http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h1058.html
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Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight D. Eisenhower was our 34th president and a famous Kansan. Some say that Dwight D Eisenhower was born in Abilene, Kansas, but he was actually born in Texas. Dwight was invited to West Point and became a second lieutenant. Then Dwight came back from West Point and became the president of Columbia University. During his presidency he had a sweet slogan which was “I Like Ike.” After he was elected he tried to make world peace during World War II. Lastly, Dwight D. Eisenhower died on March 28, 1969 after long illnesses.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nostri-imago/2872023782/
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Emmett KellyEmmett Kelly is a famous Kansan. He was famous for being a white-faced clown. Emmett Kelly was born on December 9, 1898. He performed with The Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus. He performed for a queen in Europe. At first, people thought he was just a weird looking guy. He did not let that bother him. Emmett worked on being the best clown he could possibly be. Emmett took a year off to perform as the mascot for the Brooklyn Dodgers. He lived a happy and successful life.
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http://www.flickr.com/photos/tistedartphotography/3489468004
Gordon Parks
Gordon Parks was a famous photographer born in Kansas. One of his famous pictures was of a woman holding a mop and a broom in front of the American flag. Gordon Parks became the first African American photographer in America. He saw the world as pictures and feelings. That provided a powerful way to tell a story. He encouraged other photographers to always do their best while providing us all with beautiful photos.
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http://www.flickr.com/photos/blackheritage/2339907528/
Laura Ingalls Wilder
Laura Ingalls Wilder was a very interesting person, not only did she write the hit series Little House on the Prairie she also lived it. During her childhood, she traveled by a wagon searching for a place to stay. Her father built a house on the prairie in which they grew up in. Later in life she wrote books such as Little House in the Big Woods, Little House on the Prairie, On the Banks of Plum Creek, and Farm Boy. She died at 90, married, famous and happy. She had a great success; from living it to writing it, Laura Ingalls Wilder had an amazing life.
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http://www.flickr.com/photos/20404205@N02/3312321437/
Lutie Lytle
Lutie Lytle lived a fascinating life. She was born in Tennessee. Lutie got a law school degree in 1897. She was among one of the first African American women to earn a degree. She also became a lawyer. Lutie moved to Topeka in 1882 with her family. She was then the first black lady to be admitted to the Kansas Bar. Lutie Lytle moved to Brooklyn, New York in 1910 with her husband and kids. The date of her death is still unknown. Return to
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http://www.kshs.org/p/lutie-lytle/13352
Roscoe Arbuckle
Kansas is very lucky to have Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle as an important person. He was famous for his movies, comedy, and jokes. Roscoe was an acrobat for some time even though he was a little big, he was agile. Roscoe was a singer. When he got on stage, everyone thought, that he could not sing. He just sang his heart out. The audience was surprised about how well he sang. Roscoe never used his weight for laughs. He used it by proving them wrong and not being bothered by them. Even though, Roscoe was teased about his weight, he was never mean in return. He just simply smiled and walked away, knowing he can do anything, he set his mind to. That is a lesson we can all learn from him.
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http://www.flickr.com/photos/alicejapan/4286704866/
William Allen White
When you think of William Allen White, you may think of the award named after him. But, he was really famous for his writing. White was born in Emporia, Kansas. When he was little his parents moved him to El Paso, Texas. When he was 11, he was known as the “Devil’s Printer”. He was known as this because he helped sweep the floor and ink the presses. Later in his life, he moved back to Emporia and bought the Emporia Gazette. He wrote for the rest of his life. He died in 1916.
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http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h1058.html
William Coleman
William Coleman was born in Chatham, New York and came to Wichita, Kansas to invent new technologies. William Coleman was born in Chatham, New York on the 27th of May in 1870. He became interested in technology when he was little. William was in Alabama when he saw a bright gas lamp that inspired him to want to invent. Soon, he started a business of his own and became a successful businessman and inventor. William invented many gadgets in his life, such as bright gas lamps that turned on immediately, coolers, stoves, and many more. His inventions were famous all across the United States and the world. William Coffin Coleman was a good man and enjoyed inventing very much. He invented many great things that are ideal and useful to everyday life. He died on November 2nd, 1957 with a heart full of joy.
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http://www.kshs.org/kansapedia/william-coffin-coleman/12018
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Famous Kansans
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People in Kansas were fighting about slavery. People in the south wanted Kansas to be a slave state. The people in the north wanted it to be a free state. The Civil War started because of the ruffians. Kansas became a free state.
1863-Bloody Kansas
http://www.ushistory.org/us/31.asp
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Blacks and whites were in separate schools. White people wanted to be in separate schools. Blacks wanted to be in the same schools and be equal. Many others wanted the same as the blacks. Ordinary students, secretaries, teachers, and ministers wanted the same. Because of the court case, blacks and whites got to school together.
http://www.nps.gov/brvb/index.htm
1954-Brown vs. Topeka BOE
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The Dust Bowl was in the 1930’s and 1940’s. The Dust Bowl was a big black cloud with sand in it, that moved through Kansas. The reason why there was a Dust Bowl was that it did not rain that much. The wind blew. All the framers couldn’t grow crops. There was so much dust that they had to wear masks. The Dust Bowl did end in the spring when it rained again.
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1925-Dust Bowl
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In 1854, people voted to decide if Kansas was going to be a slavery or non-slavery state. When Kansas became the 34th state admitted to the union, the violence increased. There was war because part of the state wanted slavery, and part of it didn’t. Even though the news was exciting, it was not expected. That is because Kansas was trying to become a state for four years. In the end, Kansas became a non-slavery state.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/10038629@N02/854308161/
1861-Kansas Admitted to the Union
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The lands where the Kansas capitol building is today was donated by C.R. Holliday. Construction started in 1866. It was finally was completed and also opened in 1903. It was not cheap. The final cost was $ 3,200,588.92. The east wing of the capitol building was built first, even though the west is a little larger. The capitol is about 130 yards horizontally and about 133 yards vertically. The capitol building gets thousands of visitors daily.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrism70/226436749/
1903 –Capitol Opens
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The aircraft industry started in Wichita in the 1920’s and was slow starting at first. C.K. Clapp was the first one to start digging in July, 1930. They were building an airport. They dedicated the airport on March 31, 1935 once they were finished. Sadly, the airport burned down. Everyone made it out safely. In Wichita, Boeing produced around 29 models of airplanes. Once the airport was rebuilt, it was very popular and would send out a flight every 90 seconds! Some famous people that used the airport were Charles Lindberg, Amelia Earhart, and Fred Astaire. Today, the airport is a museum and showcases records, books, photos and one of a kind aircraft engines! It’s also home to the Kansas Aviation Hall of Fame.
http://www.kansasaviationmuseum.org/museum.php/
1920 – Aircraft Industry
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Kansas has had many floods. Kansas has had eight, severe floods in 1951-2007. The most severe flood took place in Chapman. Since the flood of 1844, the most severe and widespread flood was in July 1951. Most of the floods stay 1-3 weeks. These floods cause damage to houses, cars, and farmland. Flood water is usually never drinkable
http://www.flickr.com/photos/carrielouise/696137852/
1957-Kansas Floods
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In 1865, black people wanted to have a better life so they created a new town in Kansas called Nicodemus. The African Americans took a train from the south to get to Ellis, Kansas, which was the closest they could get to Nicodemus. Then they walked fifty-five miles to get all the way to Nicodemus. In 1929, the Depression came to Nicodemus and it brought population down to just 76 people. It was a hard life in Nicodemus because they didn’t have enough money, food and tools. Today Nicodemus is located 45 miles northwest of Hays, Kansas on highway 24 between Hill City and Stockton.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ooocha/2456103304/
1877-Nicodemus
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In 1873, Fred Harvey made his first restaurant; he called it the Harvey House. In Topeka, Kansas the first Harvey House opened on the railway. The Harvey House was very fancy, and they serve rich people. The waitresses in the Harvey House were called Harvey girls. Fred Harvey died in 1901. His last words to his boys were “Don’t cut the ham to thin boys.”
1873-Harvey House
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A turnpike is a road or a highway and the drivers have to pay money to drive that road. Between the World Wars the toll roads and turnpikes became popular in American’s life. The turnpike was invented when Kansas was 53 years old. The Kansas turnpike ends at milepost 236. The Kansas Turnpike was done in 1956.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gargano1/34973704/
1956-Turnpike
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It was Walter Anderson who started the first fast food restaurant in the U.S.A. White Castle sold hamburgers for a nickel. White Castle was the first fast-food restaurant to use frozen beef in their burgers. White Castle had a clean, sanitary restaurant and a friendly staff. Today White Castle restaurants are no longer found in Kansas. However you can find one in Illinois, New York, and several other states
1925-White Castle
http://www.flickr.com/photos/drpep1024/1056597234/
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Kansas State University opened in 1863 named Kansas State Agriculture College. It was the 3rd college to have chances to get into the college for men and women. In the first class there were 52 students, 26 men and 26 women. When the first class graduated in 1867 there were only 5 students in the class. Dr. Jon Wefald retired from being president of the University in 2009. He was the president for 23 years. The president now is Kirk Schultz.
1863-K-State
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lunarmoth/3746586265/
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Pizza Hut began on May 31, 1958 in Wichita, Kansas. Two college kids Frank and Dan Carney asked their mom if they could borrow $600.00 for the restaurant. In 1959, Pizza Hut opened in Topeka, Kansas. It was the beginning of a franchise. In 1971, Pizza Hut became the best pizza restaurant in the world. They had the most restaurants and they made the most money. In the 2000’s Pizza Hut started to build on their menu. Now they have lots of pizza, pasta, and drinks.
1958-Pizza Hut
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25679810@N00/4295843636/
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Kansas History
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The Barred Tiger Salamander is the state amphibian of Kansas. It stays wet so its skin can stay moist. The Barred Tiger Salamander must stay in moist places, so it can lay its eggs in the spring or fall. It is black and yellow with wiggly lines. It eats earthworms, large insects, small mice, and smaller amphibians. The Barred Tiger Salamander is the largest amphibian that lives on land.
Barred Tiger Salamander
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nativeorchids/4371618281/
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The Bison is the state animal of Kansas. The Bison is a grazing animal in Kansas. Bison bulls may weigh a ton. The Bison’s enemies are grizzlies, wolves, and bears. There are 200,000 Bison left today.
Bison
http://www.flickr.com/photos/allhart/2945451501/
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The Ornate Box Turtle is the state reptile of Kansas. They eat insects, spiders, worms, and berries. It’s illegal to abduct them. Their predators are coyotes or raccoons. The Ornate Box Turtle may live over 30 years.
Ornate Box Turtle
http://www.flickr.com/photos/brianlynn/500514980/
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The Channel Catfish is the state fish of Kansas. The state record for a Channel Catfish is 36 pounds and 8 ounces. The Channel Catfish does most of their feeding at night. They live in streams, lakes, and state rivers. The Channel Catfish was named the state fish of Kansas in 1980.
Channel Catfish
http://www.flickr.com/photos/28477379@N05/2688700729/
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The Cottonwood tree is the state tree of Kansas. They are deciduous trees. They are the largest and hardiest trees of Kansas. The Cottonwood tree has thick bark. Kansas designated the Cottonwood as the official state tree in 1937.
Cottonwood Tree
http://www.flickr.com/photos/28601488@N05/3972248811/
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The Honeybee is the state insect of Kansas. Honeybees have a color pattern that warns honey thieves that they have a weapon. The workers have tubes in their behind that sting. The sting is caused by a venom gland. The Honeybee provides honey for Kansans.
Honeybee
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stuntbear/2735703375/
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The state grass of Kansas is the Little Bluestem. The Little Bluestem can grow to 3 feet tall. Buffalo, deer, and elk eat the Little Bluestem grass. The Little Bluestem Grass was used a long time ago for building homes. Little Bluestem can be used for erosion control and landscaping as an ornamental plant.
Little Bluestem Grass
http://www.kansasnativeplantsociety.org/littleblue/stategrass.htm
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The Western Meadowlark is the state bird of Kansas. It is yellow on the stomach, reddish on the feet, and gray and red on the head. It became the state bird in 1925. Its nest is not in trees, it is on the ground. The Western Meadowlark got 43, 895 votes to become the state bird.
Western Meadowlark
http://www.flickr.com/photos/juddpatterson/4384360236/
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The Harney Silt Loam is the state soil of Kansas. The color of the soil is a grayish- brownish. It was adopted in 1990 as the state soil. Soil is Kansas’ most valuable resource. Harney Silt Loam is found covering 3,976,00 acres in Kansas.
Harney Silt Loam
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lhoon/2172234499/
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Sunflower
http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrisser/122247277/
The Sunflower is the state flower of Kansas. It was used for food production by the Native Americans nearly 3,000 years ago. Today it is used for food and oil production. It is also featured on the state seal, state quarter, and the state flag. The Sunflower grows up to 15 feet tall. It became the state flower in 1903.
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Kansas Symbols
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Kansas Symbols by
Mrs. Pfannenstiel’s 3rd grade Class
Kansas Historyby
Mrs. Bowman’s4th grade Class
Famous Kansansby
Mrs. Droge’s5th grade Class
Kansas Agricultureby
Mr. Eickhoff’s6th grade Class
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Kansas Symbols by
Mrs. Pfannenstiel’s 3rd grade Class
Western Meadowlark—Ikaika and Andrew K.Sunflower—Madison and TyreshaOrnate Box Turtle—Taylor and ReemHoneybee—Andrew D. and WyattBison—Domenic and PeytonCottonwood Tree—Isaish and BenBarred Tiger Salamander—Sarah and JacquelineSoil(Harney Silt Loam)—Shelby and NathanGrass(Little Bluestem)—Duru and BrianaChannel Catfish—Kahla and Alexis Return to
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Kansas Historyby
Mrs. Bowman’s4th grade Class
1861—Kansas admitted to the Union—Talia and Madison1863—Bloody Kansas—Alan and Jilly1863—K-State–Jared and Mohammad1873—Fred Harvey—Zoe and Kevin1877—Nicodemus—Kate and Joshua1903—Capitol opens—Jack and Kaitlen1920’s—Aircraft industry—Jack and Kaitlen1925—White Castle—Ashley and August1934—Dust Bowl—Evelyn and Brian1954—Brown vs. Topeka BOE—Isaac and Omar1957—Flood—Greta and Fernando1956—Turnpike—Sarah and Suyeon1958—Pizza Hut—Cameryn and Parker
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Famous Kansansby
Mrs. Droge’s5th grade Class
Amelia Earhart—Michael and MattWilliam Coleman—Gabby and BellaDwight D. Eisenhower—Reece and CamronRoscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle—Tiana and JazminEmmett Kelly—Josh and JavounLutie Lytle—Anna and BrieCarry Nation—Jena and CassidyGordon Parks—Desiree, Aysha, and HaileyLaura Ingalls Wilder—Averi and AmeliaWilliam Allen White—Raven and Sarah
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Kansas Agricultureby
Mr. Eickhoff’s6th grade Class
Methods and Practices—Donnie and JustinCrops—Aubrey and TrevorImplements and Machinery—Tanita and AndyLivestock—Jonathan Taylor and Ethan Climate—Lelani and RockySoil—Carter and DevonCattle Drives—Jamie and CalebOrganic Farming—Wes and JessieFamily Farming vs. Corporate Farming—Carlos and NicolleHistory of Agriculture—Liz and AaronHomesteading—Jonathan B. and Abby Return to
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Can you spare a square?
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