Wichita, Kansas
Wichita, Kansas | |
---|---|
Nickname(s): Air Capital Of The World, ICT | |
Country | United States |
State | Kansas |
County | Sedgwick |
Founded | 1868 |
Incorporated | 1870 |
Government | |
• Type | Council-Manager |
• Mayor | Jeff Longwell |
• City Manager | Robert Layton |
Area | |
• City | 163.59 sq mi (423.70 km2) |
• Land | 159.29 sq mi (412.56 km2) |
• Water | 4.30 sq mi (11.14 km2) |
Elevation | 1,299 ft (396 m) |
Population | |
• City | 382,368 |
• Estimate (2015)[4] | 389,965 |
• Rank | US: 48th |
• Density | 2,300/sq mi (900/km2) |
• Metro | 644,610 (US: 85th) |
• CSA | 680,398 (US: 72nd) |
Demonym | Wichitan |
Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
ZIP Codes | 67201-67221, 67223, 67226-67228, 67230, 67232, 67235, 67260, 67275-67278[5] |
Area code | 316 |
FIPS code | 20-79000[2] |
GNIS feature ID | 0473862[2] |
Interstates | |
U.S Highways | US-54 / US-400 US-81 |
Kansas Highways | K-96 K-42 K-15 K-254 |
Website | www |
Wichita (/ˈwɪtʃ[invalid input: 'ɨ']tɔː/ WITCH-ə-taw)[6] is the largest city in the state of Kansas[7] and the 48th-largest city in the United States.[3] Located in south-central Kansas on the Arkansas River, Wichita is the county seat of Sedgwick County and the principal city of the Wichita metropolitan area.[2] As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was 382,368;[3] as of 2014, it was estimated to have increased to 389,965.[4] In 2015, the estimated population of the Wichita metropolitan area was 644,610, and that of the larger Wichita-Winfield combined statistical area was 680,398.[8]
The city began as a trading post on the Chisholm Trail in the 1860s, then was incorporated in 1870. It subsequently became a key destination for cattle drives traveling north from Texas to access railroads, earning it the nickname "Cowtown".[9][10] In the 1920s and 1930s, businessmen and aeronautical engineers established a number of successful aircraft manufacturing companies in Wichita including Beechcraft, Cessna, and Stearman Aircraft. The city transformed into a hub of U.S. aircraft production and became known as "The Air Capital of the World".[11] Beechcraft, Cessna, (both now part of Textron Aviation) and other firms including Learjet, Airbus and Spirit AeroSystems continue to operate design and manufacturing facilities in Wichita today, and the city remains a major center of the U.S. aircraft industry.[12][13]
As an industrial hub and the largest city in the state, Wichita is an area center of culture, media, and trade. It hosts several large museums, theatres, parks, and entertainment venues, notably Intrust Bank Arena. Several universities are located in the city including Wichita State University, the third largest in the state. The city's daily newspaper, The Wichita Eagle, has the highest circulation of any newspaper in Kansas,[14] and the Wichita broadcast television market includes the western two-thirds of the state.[15] Wichita is also home to two large shopping malls, Towne East Square and Towne West Square, as well as the Century II Performing Arts & Convention Center and Kansas's largest airport, Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport.
History
Archaeological evidence indicates human habitation near the confluence of the Arkansas and Little Arkansas Rivers, the site of present-day Wichita, as early as 3000 B.C.[16] In 1541, a Spanish expedition led by explorer Francisco Vázquez de Coronado found the area populated by the Quivira, or Wichita, people. Conflict with the Osage in the 1750s drove the Wichita further south.[17] Prior to American settlement of the region, the site was located in the territory of the Kiowa.[18] Claimed first by France as part of Louisiana and later acquired by the United States with the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, it became part of Kansas Territory in 1854 and then the state of Kansas in 1861.[19][20]
The Wichita returned in 1864 due to the American Civil War and established a settlement on the banks of the Little Arkansas.[21][22] During this period, trader Jesse Chisholm established a trading post at the site, one of several along a trail extending south to Texas which became known as the Chisholm Trail.[23] After the war, the Wichita permanently relocated south to Indian Territory (present-day Oklahoma).[22]
In 1868, trader James R. Mead established another trading post at the site, and surveyor Darius Munger built a house for use as a hotel, community center, and post office.[24][25] Business opportunities attracted area hunters and traders, and a new settlement began to form. That summer, Mead and others organized the Wichita Town Company, naming the settlement after the Wichita tribe.[21] In 1870, Munger and German immigrant William "Dutch Bill" Greiffenstein filed plats laying out the city's first streets.[25] Wichita formally incorporated as a city on July 21, 1870.[24]
Wichita's position on the Chisholm Trail made it a destination for cattle drives traveling north from Texas to access railroads which led to markets in eastern U.S. cities.[23][26] The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway reached the city in 1872.[27] As a result, Wichita became a railhead for the cattle drives, earning it the nickname "Cowtown".[23][26] Across the Arkansas River, the town of Delano became a popular entertainment destination for cattlemen thanks to its saloons, brothels, and lack of law enforcement.[28] The area had a reputation for violence until local lawmen, Wyatt Earp among them, began to assertively police the cowboys.[23][26] By the end of the decade, the cattle trade had moved west to Dodge City. Wichita annexed Delano in 1880.[28]
Rapid immigration resulted in a speculative land boom in the late 1880s, stimulating further expansion of the city. Fairmount College, which eventually grew into Wichita State University, opened in 1886; Garfield University, which eventually became Friends University, opened in 1887.[29][30] By 1890, Wichita had become the third-largest city in the state after Kansas City and Topeka with a population of nearly 24,000.[31] After the boom, however, the city entered an economic recession, and many of the original settlers went bankrupt.[32]
In 1914 and 1915, deposits of oil and natural gas were discovered in nearby Butler County. This triggered another economic boom in Wichita as producers established refineries, fueling stations, and headquarters in the city.[33] By 1917, there were five operating refineries in Wichita with another seven built in the 1920s.[34] The careers and fortunes of future oil moguls Archibald Derby, who later founded Derby Oil, and Fred C. Koch, who established what would become Koch Industries, both began in Wichita during this period.[33][35]
The money generated by the oil boom enabled local entrepreneurs to invest in the nascent airplane manufacturing industry. In 1917, Clyde Cessna built his Cessna Comet in Wichita, the first aircraft built in the city. In 1920, two local oilmen invited Chicago aircraft builder Emil "Matty" Laird to manufacture his designs in Wichita, leading to the formation of the Swallow Airplane Company. Two early Swallow employees, Lloyd Stearman and Walter Beech, went on to found two prominent Wichita-based companies, Stearman Aircraft in 1926 and Beechcraft in 1932, respectively. Cessna, meanwhile, started his own company in Wichita in 1927.[36] The city became such a center of the industry that the Aeronautical Chamber of Commerce dubbed it the "Air Capital of the World" in 1929.[37]
Over the following decades, aviation and aircraft manufacturing continued to drive expansion of the city. In 1934, Stearman's Wichita facilities became part of Boeing which would become the city's largest employer.[38] Initial construction of Wichita Municipal Airport finished southeast of the city in 1935. During World War II, the site hosted Wichita Army Airfield and Boeing Airplane Company Plant No. 1.[39] The city experienced a population explosion during the war when it became a major manufacturing center for the Boeing B-29 bomber.[40] In 1951, the U.S. Air Force announced plans to assume control of the airport to establish McConnell Air Force Base. By 1954, all non-military air traffic had shifted to the new Wichita Mid-Continent Airport west of the city.[39] In 1962, Lear Jet Corporation opened with its plant adjacent to the new airport.[41]
Throughout the late 19th and 20th centuries, several other prominent businesses and brands had their origins in Wichita. A. A. Hyde founded health care products maker Mentholatum in Wichita in 1889.[42][43] Sporting goods and camping gear retailer Coleman started in the city in the early 1900s.[42][44] A number of fast food franchises started in Wichita in the 1950s and 1960s including Pizza Hut in 1958. In the 1970s and 1980s, the city became a regional center of health care and medical research.[42]
Wichita has been a focal point of national political controversy multiple times in its history. In 1900, famous temperance extremist Carrie Nation struck in Wichita upon learning the city was not enforcing Kansas's prohibition ordinance.[42] The Dockum Drug Store sit-in took place in the city in 1958 with protesters pushing for desegregation.[45] In 1991, thousands of anti-abortion protesters blockaded and held sit-ins at Wichita abortion clinics, particularly the clinic of George Tiller.[46] Tiller was later killed in Wichita by an extremist in 2009.[47]
Except for a slow period in the 1970s, Wichita has continued to grow steadily into the 21st century.[31] In the late 1990s and 2000s, the city government and local organizations began collaborating to re-develop downtown Wichita and older neighborhoods in the city.[25][28][48] Intrust Bank Arena opened downtown in 2010.[49]
Boeing ended its operations in Wichita in 2014.[50] However, the city remains a national center of aircraft manufacturing with other companies including Spirit AeroSystems and Airbus maintaining facilities in Wichita.[24][51]
Wichita Mid-Continent Airport was officially renamed Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport after the Kansas native and U.S. President in 2015.[52]
Geography
Downtown Wichita is located at 37°41′20″N 97°20′10″W / 37.68889°N 97.33611°W (37.688888, −97.336111) at an elevation of 1,299 feet (396 m).[2] Wichita is located in south-central Kansas at the junction of Interstate 35 and U.S. Route 54.[53] Located in the Midwestern United States, it is 157 mi (253 km) north of Oklahoma City, 181 mi (291 km) southwest of Kansas City, and 439 mi (707 km) east-southeast of Denver.[54]
The city lies on the Arkansas River near the western edge of the Flint Hills in the Wellington-McPherson Lowlands region of the Great Plains.[55] The topography of the area is characterized by the broad alluvial plain of the Arkansas River valley and the moderately rolling slopes which rise to the higher lands on either side.[56][57]
The Arkansas follows a winding course, south-southeast through Wichita, roughly bisecting the city. It is joined along its course by several tributaries all of which flow generally south. The largest is the Little Arkansas River, which enters the city from the north and joins the Arkansas immediately west of downtown. Further east lies Chisholm Creek which joins the Arkansas in the far southern part of the city. The Chisholm's own tributaries drain much of the city's eastern half; these include the creek's West, Middle, and East Forks as well as, further south, Gypsum Creek. The Gypsum is fed by its own tributary, Dry Creek. Two more of the Arkansas' tributaries lie west of its course; from east to west, these are Big Slough Creek and Cowskin Creek. Both streams run south through the western part of the city. Fourmile Creek, a tributary of the Walnut River, flows south through the far eastern part of the city.[58]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 163.59 sq mi (423.70 km2), of which 159.29 sq mi (412.56 km2) is land and 4.30 sq mi (11.14 km2) is water.[1]
As the core of the Wichita metropolitan area, the city is surrounded by suburbs. Bordering Wichita on the north are, from west to east, Valley Center, Park City, Kechi, and Bel Aire. Enclosed within east-central Wichita is Eastborough. Adjacent to the city's east side is Andover. McConnell Air Force Base lies immediately southeast of the city. To the south, from east to west, are Derby and Haysville. Goddard and Maize border Wichita to the west and northwest, respectively.[59]
Climate
Wichita lies in the northern limits of North America's humid subtropical climate zone (Köppen Cfa), typically experiencing hot, humid summers and cold, dry winters.[60] Located on the Great Plains far from any large moderating influences such as mountains or large bodies of water, Wichita often experiences severe weather with thunderstorms occurring frequently during the spring and summer months. These occasionally bring large hail as well as frequent lightning, and tornadoes sometimes occur. Particularly destructive tornadoes have struck the Wichita area several times in the course of its history: in September 1965; during the Andover, Kansas Tornado Outbreak of April 1991; and during the Oklahoma tornado outbreak of May 1999.[61][62][63] Winters are cold and dry, but, since Wichita is located roughly midway between Canada and the Gulf of Mexico, cold spells and warm spells are equally frequent. Warm air masses from the Gulf of Mexico can raise mid-winter temperatures into the 50s and even 60s while cold, frigid air masses from the Arctic can occasionally plunge the temperature below 0 °F.[citation needed] Wind speed in the city averages 13 mph (21 km/h).[64] On average, January is the coldest month, July is the hottest month, and June is the wettest month.[65]
The average temperature in the city is 56.9 °F (13.8 °C).[66] Over the course of a year, the monthly daily average temperature ranges from 32.2 °F (0.1 °C) in January to 81.1 °F (27.3 °C) in July.[65] The high temperature reaches or exceeds 90 °F (32 °C) an average of 62 days a year and 100 °F (38 °C) an average of 12 days a year. The minimum temperature falls to or below 10 °F (−12 °C) on an average 8.5 days a year.[67] The hottest temperature recorded in Wichita was 114 °F (46 °C) in 1936; the coldest temperature recorded was −22 °F (−30 °C) on February 12, 1899.[65] Readings as low as −17 °F (−27 °C) and as high as 111 °F (44 °C) occurred as recently as February 10, 2011 and July 29–30, 2012, respectively.[66]
During an average year, Wichita receives 32.69 inches (830 mm) of precipitation, most of which occurs in the warmer months, and experiences 88 days of measurable precipitation.[66] The average relative humidity is 80% in the morning and 49% in the evening.[64] Annual snowfall averages 15.6 inches (40 cm). Measurable snowfall occurs an average of ten days per year with at least an inch of snow being received on five of those days. Snow depth of at least an inch occurs an average of 15 days a year. The average window for freezing temperatures is October 26 through April 11.[66]
Climate data for Wichita Mid-Continent Airport, Kansas (1981–2010 normals, extremes 1888–present)[a] | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high °F (°C) | 75 (24) |
87 (31) |
92 (33) |
98 (37) |
102 (39) |
110 (43) |
113 (45) |
114 (46) |
108 (42) |
97 (36) |
86 (30) |
83 (28) |
114 (46) |
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 42.5 (5.8) |
48.2 (9.0) |
57.9 (14.4) |
67.7 (19.8) |
76.7 (24.8) |
86.7 (30.4) |
92.3 (33.5) |
91.2 (32.9) |
82.5 (28.1) |
69.7 (20.9) |
56.2 (13.4) |
43.5 (6.4) |
67.9 (19.9) |
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 21.9 (−5.6) |
26.1 (−3.3) |
35.0 (1.7) |
44.5 (6.9) |
55.2 (12.9) |
64.9 (18.3) |
69.8 (21.0) |
68.8 (20.4) |
59.5 (15.3) |
46.9 (8.3) |
34.6 (1.4) |
24.1 (−4.4) |
45.9 (7.7) |
Record low °F (°C) | −15 (−26) |
−22 (−30) |
−3 (−19) |
15 (−9) |
27 (−3) |
43 (6) |
51 (11) |
45 (7) |
31 (−1) |
14 (−10) |
1 (−17) |
−16 (−27) |
−22 (−30) |
Average precipitation inches (mm) | 0.83 (21) |
1.18 (30) |
2.69 (68) |
2.59 (66) |
4.57 (116) |
5.20 (132) |
3.32 (84) |
3.71 (94) |
3.14 (80) |
2.78 (71) |
1.43 (36) |
1.20 (30) |
32.64 (829) |
Average snowfall inches (cm) | 3.6 (9.1) |
3.2 (8.1) |
2.3 (5.8) |
0.2 (0.51) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0.1 (0.25) |
1.3 (3.3) |
4.2 (11) |
14.9 (38) |
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) | 4.7 | 5.4 | 8.2 | 8.0 | 11.4 | 10.0 | 7.3 | 7.9 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 5.3 | 5.7 | 87.9 |
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) | 3.0 | 2.1 | 1.2 | 0.2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.1 | 0.6 | 2.8 | 10.0 |
Average relative humidity (%) | 69.9 | 68.3 | 63.8 | 62.8 | 67.0 | 64.3 | 58.9 | 61.1 | 66.8 | 65.1 | 70.0 | 71.7 | 65.8 |
Mean monthly sunshine hours | 190.9 | 186.4 | 230.4 | 257.8 | 289.8 | 305.0 | 342.1 | 309.2 | 245.6 | 226.3 | 170.2 | 168.7 | 2,922.4 |
Percent possible sunshine | 62 | 62 | 62 | 65 | 66 | 69 | 76 | 73 | 66 | 65 | 56 | 57 | 66 |
Source: National Weather Service (relative humidity and sun 1961–1990);[66][68] The Weather Channel[65] |
Neighborhoods
Wichita has several recognized areas and neighborhoods. The downtown area is generally considered to be east of the Arkansas River, west of Washington Street, north of Kellogg and south of 13th Street. The downtown area contains landmarks such as Century II, the Garvey Center, and the Epic Center. Old Town is also part of downtown; this 2-3 square mile area is home to a cluster of night clubs, bars, restaurants, a movie theater, shops, and apartments and condominiums, many of which make use of historical warehouse-type spaces.
The two most notable residential areas of Wichita are Riverside and College Hill. Riverside is northwest of the downtown area, across the Arkansas River, and surrounds the 120-acre (0.49 km2) Riverside Park.[69] College Hill is east of the downtown area, south of Wichita State University. College Hill is one of the more historic neighborhoods, along with Delano on the west side and Midtown in the north-central city.[70]
Demographics
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1870 | 689 | — | |
1880 | 4,911 | 612.8% | |
1890 | 23,853 | 385.7% | |
1900 | 24,671 | 3.4% | |
1910 | 52,450 | 112.6% | |
1920 | 72,217 | 37.7% | |
1930 | 111,110 | 53.9% | |
1940 | 114,966 | 3.5% | |
1950 | 168,279 | 46.4% | |
1960 | 254,698 | 51.4% | |
1970 | 276,554 | 8.6% | |
1980 | 279,272 | 1.0% | |
1990 | 304,011 | 8.9% | |
2000 | 344,284 | 13.2% | |
2010 | 382,368 | 11.1% | |
2015 (est.) | 389,965 | [71] | 2.0% |
U.S. Decennial Census[72] 2015 Estimate[4] |
In terms of population, Wichita is the largest city in Kansas and the 48th largest city in the United States.[4]
2010 census
As of the 2010 census, there were 382,368 people, 151,818 households, and 94,862 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,304.8 per square mile (889.9/km²). There were 167,310 housing units at an average density of 1,022.1 per square mile (475.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 71.9% White, 11.5% African American, 4.8% Asian, 1.2% American Indian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 6.2% from other races, and 4.3% from two or more races. Hispanics and Latinos of any race were 15.3% of the population.[73]
Of the 151,818 households, 33.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.1% were married couples living together, 5.2% had a male householder with no wife present, 13.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.5% were non-families. 31.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48, and the average family size was 3.14.[73]
The median age in the city was 33.9 years. 26.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 10.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 26.9% were from 25 to 44; 24.9% were from 45 to 64; and 11.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.3% male and 50.7% female.[73]
The median income for a household in the city was $44,477, and the median income for a family was $57,088. Males had a median income of $42,783 versus $32,155 for females. The per capita income for the city was $24,517. About 12.1% of families and 15.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.5% of those under age 18 and 9.9% of those age 65 or over.[73]
Metropolitan area
Wichita is the principal city of both the Wichita Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) and the Wichita-Winfield Combined Statistical Area (CSA).[74][75] The Wichita MSA encompasses Sedgwick, Butler, Harvey, and Sumner counties and, as of 2010, had a population of 623,061, making it the 84th largest MSA in the United States.[74][76][77]
The larger Wichita-Winfield CSA also includes Cowley County and, as of 2013, had an estimated population of 673,598.[78] Nearby Reno County is not a part of the Wichita MSA or Wichita-Winfield CSA, but, were it included, it would add an additional population of 64,511 as of 2010.[79]
Economy
Wichita's principal industrial sector is manufacturing, which accounted for 21.6 percent of area employment in 2003. Aircraft manufacturing has long dominated the local economy, and plays such an important role that it has the ability to influence the economic health of the entire region; the state offers tax breaks and other incentives to aircraft manufacturers.[80]
Healthcare is Wichita's second-largest industry, employing approximately 28,000 people in the local area. Since healthcare needs remain fairly consistent regardless of the economy, this field was not subject to the same pressures that affected other industries in the early 2000s. The Kansas Spine Hospital opened in 2004, as did a critical care tower at Wesley Medical Center.[81] In July 2010, Via Christi Health, which is the largest provider of healthcare services in Kansas, opened a hospital that will serve the northwest area of Wichita. Via Christi Hospital on St. Teresa is the system's fifth hospital to serve the Wichita community.[82]
Thanks to the early 20th-Century oil boom in neighboring Butler County, Kansas, Wichita became a major oil town, with dozens of oil exploration companies and support enterprises. Most famous of these was Koch Industries, today a global natural-resources conglomerate. The city was also at one time the headquarters of the former Derby Oil Company, which was purchased by Coastal Corporation in 1988.
Koch Industries and Cargill, the two largest privately held companies in the United States,[83] both operate headquarters facilities in Wichita. Koch Industries' primary global corporate headquarters is located in a large office-tower complex in northeast Wichita. Cargill Meat Solutions Div., at one time the nation's 3rd-largest beef producer, is headquartered downtown. Other firms with headquarters in Wichita include roller-coaster manufacturer Chance Morgan, gourmet food retailer Dean & Deluca, renewable energy company Alternative Energy Solutions, and Coleman Company, a manufacturer of camping and outdoor recreation supplies. Air Midwest, the nation's first officially certificated "commuter" airline, was founded and headquartered in Wichita and evolved into the nation's 8th largest regional airline prior to its dissolution in 2008.[84]
As of 2013, 68.2% of the population over the age of 16 was in the labor force. 0.6% was in the armed forces, and 67.6% was in the civilian labor force with 61.2% employed and 6.4% unemployed. The occupational composition of the employed civilian labor force was: 33.3% in management, business, science, and arts; 25.1% in sales and office occupations; 17.2% in service occupations; 14.0% in production, transportation, and material moving; 10.4% in natural resources, construction, and maintenance. The three industries employing the largest percentages of the working civilian labor force were: educational services, health care, and social assistance (22.3%); manufacturing (19.2%); and retail trade (11.0%).[73]
The cost of living in Wichita is below average; compared to a U.S. average of 100, the cost of living index for the city is 84.0.[85] As of 2013, the median home value in the city was $117,500, the median selected monthly owner cost was $1,194 for housing units with a mortgage and $419 for those without, and the median gross rent was $690.[73]
Aircraft manufacturing
From the early to late 20th century, aircraft pioneers such as Clyde Cessna, "Matty" Laird, Lloyd Stearman, Walter Beech, Al Mooney and Bill Lear began aircraft-manufacturing enterprises that would lead to Wichita becoming the nation's leading city in numbers of aircraft produced. The aircraft corporations E. M. Laird Aviation Company (the nation's first successful commercial airplane manufacturer), Travel Air (started by Beech, Stearman and Cessna), Stearman, Cessna, Beechcraft and Mooney were all founded in Wichita between 1920 and early 1932.[11] By 1931, Boeing (of Seattle, Washington) had absorbed Stearman, creating "Boeing-Wichita", which would eventually grow to become Kansas' largest employer.[12][86]
Today, Cessna Aircraft Co. (the world's highest-volume airplane manufacturer) and Beechcraft remain based in Wichita having merged into Textron Aviation in 2014, along with Learjet and Boeing's chief subassembly supplier, Spirit AeroSystems. Airbus maintains a workforce in Wichita, and Bombardier (parent company of Learjet) has other divisions in Wichita as well. Over 50 other aviation businesses operate in the Wichita MSA, as well dozens of suppliers and subcontractors to the local aircraft manufacturers. In total, Wichita and its companies have manufactured an estimated 250,000 aircraft since Clyde Cessna's first Wichita-built aircraft in 1916.[12][13][87][88]
In the early 2000s, a national and international recession combined with the after effects of the 9/11/2001 terrorist attacks to depress the aviation sub-sector in and around Wichita. Orders for new aircraft plummeted, prompting Wichita's five largest aircraft manufacturers, Boeing Co., Cessna Aircraft Co., Bombardier Learjet Inc., Hawker Beechcraft and Raytheon Aircraft Co.—to slash a combined 15,000 jobs between 2001 and 2004. In response, these companies began developing small- and mid-sized airplanes to appeal to business and corporate users.[81] In 2007, Wichita built 977 aircraft, ranging from single-engine light aircraft to the world's fastest civilian jet; one-fifth of the civilian aircraft produced in United States that year, plus numerous small military aircraft.[13][87][88][89] In early 2012, Boeing announced it would be closing its Wichita plant by the end of 2013,[90] which paved the road for Spirit Aerosystems to open its plant.
Culture
Arts and music
Wichita is a cultural center for Kansas, home to several art museums and performing arts groups. The Wichita Art Museum is the largest art museum in the state of Kansas and contains 7,000 works in permanent collections.[91] The Ulrich Museum of Art at Wichita State University is a modern and contemporary art museum with over 6,300 works in its permanent collection.[92] The Music Theatre of Wichita, Wichita Grand Opera, and Wichita Symphony Orchestra perform regularly at the Century II Convention Hall downtown. The Orpheum Theatre, built in 1922, serves as a downtown venue for smaller shows.
Small art galleries are scattered around the city with some clustered in the districts of Old Town, Delano and south Commerce street. These galleries started the Final Friday Gallery crawl event, where visitors tour attractions for free in the evening on the last Friday of each month. Larger museums began participating and staying open late on Final Fridays shortly after its beginning.
Events
The Wichita River Festival has been held in the Downtown and Old Town areas of the city since 1972. It has featured events, musical entertainment, sporting events, traveling exhibits, cultural and historical activities, plays, interactive children's events, a flea market, river events, a parade, block parties, a food court, fireworks, and souvenirs for the roughly 370,000+ patrons who attend each year.[93] In 2011, the festival was moved from May to June because of rain during previous festivals.
The annual Wichita Black Arts Festival, held in the spring, celebrates the arts, crafts and creativity of Wichita's large African-American community. It usually takes place in Central-Northeast Wichita. A Juneteenth event and parade also are common annual events.
The International Student Association at Wichita State University presents an annual international cultural exhibition and food festival, on the campus at WSU, providing an inexpensive sampling of global culture and cuisine to the general public.
One or more large Renaissance fairs occur annually, including the "RenFair" in conjunction with the "Kingdom of Calontir" of the SCA (Society for Creative Anachronism). The fairs vary in length from one day to a week, typically at Sedgwick County Park or Newman University.
The Wichita Public Library's Academy Awards Shorts program is reportedly the oldest annual, complete, free public screening outside of Hollywood of the full array of short films nominated for an Academy Award ("Oscar"). In late winter, shortly before the Academy Awards ceremonies, the films—including all nominated documentary, live action, and animated shorts—are presented, for free, at the Library and in local theaters and other venues around Wichita. Wichita's former Congressman, Motion Picture Association President Dan Glickman, has served as Honorary Chair of the event, and some of the filmmakers have attended and visited with the audiences.[94][95][96][97][98][99]
The Tallgrass Film Festival has been held in downtown Wichita since 2003. It draws over 100 independent feature and short films from all over the world for three days each October. Notable people from the entertainment industry have attended in the past.[100]
Aviation-related events are common in the Wichita area, including air shows, fly-ins, air races, aviation conferences, exhibitions, and trade shows. The city's two main air shows, which are generally held in alternating years, are the city-sponsored civilian Wichita Flight Festival[101] (originally the "Kansas Flight Festival") and the military-sponsored McConnell Air Force Base Open House and Airshow.[102] Both are large regional air shows with famous acts and multimillion-dollar aircraft displays (including many Wichita-built aircraft). In addition, numerous local, regional, and national aviation organizations host fly-ins, conferences, exhibitions and trade shows in the Wichita area on irregular schedules.
Points of interest
Museums and landmarks devoted to science, culture, and area history are located throughout the city. Several lie along the Arkansas River west of downtown, including the Exploration Place science and discovery center, the Mid-America All-Indian Center, the Old Cowtown living history museum, and The Keeper of the Plains statue and its associated display highlighting the daily lives of Plains Indians. The Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum in downtown Wichita occupies the original Wichita city hall, built in 1892. The museum contains artifacts that tell the story of Wichita and Sedgwick County starting from 1865 and continuing to the present day.[103] East of downtown are the Museum of World Treasures and railroad-oriented Great Plains Transportation Museum. The Coleman Factory Outlet and Museum on 235 N St. Francis street is the home of the Coleman Lantern and offers free admission.[104] Wichita State University hosts the Lowell D. Holmes Museum of Anthropology. The Kansas Aviation Museum, housed in the Terminal and Administration building of the former Municipal Airport, is located in southeast Wichita adjacent to McConnell Air Force Base.
Botanica, The Wichita Gardens, also located along the Arkansas River, boasts 24 themed gardens including the popular Butterfly Garden and the award-winning Sally Stone Sensory Garden. The Sedgwick County Zoo in the northwest part of Wichita is the most popular outdoor tourist attraction in the state of Kansas, and is home to more than 2,500 animals representing 500 different species.[105] The zoo is next to Sedgwick county park and Sedgwick County Extension Arboretum.
Intrust Bank Arena is the city's primary event venue, featuring 22 suites, 2 party suites, 40 loge boxes and over 300 premium seats with a total potential capacity of over 15,000.[106] This arena in the middle of Wichita opened in January 2010.[107]
Located immediately east of downtown is Old Town, the city's entertainment district. In the early 1990s, developers transformed it from an old warehouse district into a mixed-zone neighborhood with residential space, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, and museums.[108]
Moody's Skidrow Beanery, at 625 E. Douglas in what was to become Old Town, was one of the more famous places in Wichita in the 1960s. It was the scene of a nationally followed First Amendment struggle[109] and was visited by Allen Ginsberg in 1966 (the name had been changed to the Magic Theatre Vortex Art Gallery) where he first read his long poem "Wichita Vortex Sutra."
Wichita is also home to two major shopping malls: Towne East Square and Towne West Square, on opposite ends of town, and each managed by Simon Property Group. Each mall is home to four anchor stores, and has more than 100 tenants apiece. The oldest mall, Wichita Mall, was for many years largely a dead mall, but has since been converted into office space.[110] There are also two large outdoor shopping centers, Bradley Fair on the city's north-east side and NewMarket Square on the city's north-west side, each with over 50 stores spread out on several acres.
In 1936, the Wichita post office contained two oil-on-canvas murals, Kansas Farming, painted by Richard Haines and Pioneer in Kansas by Ward Lockwood. Murals were produced from 1934 to 1943 in the United States through the Section of Painting and Sculpture, later called the Section of Fine Arts, of the Treasury Department. The post office building became the Federal Courthouse at 401 N. Market Street and the murals are on display in the lobby.[111]
Wichita has a number of beautiful parks and recreational areas such as Riverside park, College Hill park, and McAdams park.
In popular culture and the arts
Wichita has developed a positive reputation in U.S. media as an affordable and pleasant place to live. In July 2006, CNN/Money and Money ranked Wichita 9th on their list of the 10 best U.S. big cities in which to live.[112] In 2008, MSN Real Estate ranked Wichita 1st on its list of most affordable cities.[113] Wichita was also named the most "Uniquely American" city by Newsmax magazine in a May 2009 piece written by Peter Greenberg.[114]
Wichita is mentioned in the songs "Wichita Skyline" by Shawn Colvin, "Seven Nation Army" by The White Stripes, and "Captain Bobby Stout" by local musician Jerry Hahn. Allen Ginsberg wrote about a visit to Wichita in his poem Wichita Vortex Sutra, for which Philip Glass subsequently wrote a solo piano piece. Glen Campbell's "Wichita Lineman", written by Jimmy Webb, peaked at number 1 on Billboard's country singles chart and at number 3 on the pop chart in 1968. Ruby Vroom, released by the band Soul Coughing in 1994, contains a song called "True Dreams of Wichita". Also, country trio Lady Antebellum recorded the song "Golden" for their fifth studio album of the same name. The opening line of that song is "Sunset falls on Wichita".
The city has been a setting of various works of fiction. The award-winning stage play Hospitality Suite written by Roger Rueff takes place in Wichita as does its 1999 film adaptation, The Big Kahuna.[115] Wichita (1955) and portions of Wyatt Earp (1994), both of which dramatize the life and career of Wyatt Earp, are set in Wichita.[116][117] The short-lived 1959–1960 television western Wichita Town was set during the city's early years.[118] Other films wholly or partially set in the city include Good Luck, Miss Wyckoff (1979),[119] Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987),[120] The Ice Harvest (2005),[121] and Knight and Day (2010).[122] The city is also the setting of the long-running comic strip Dennis the Menace.[123]
AMD planned to release a new processor, code named Wichita, in 2012, but the project was cancelled in favor of a newer design.
Sports
Wichita is home to several professional, semi-professional, non-professional, and collegiate sports teams. Professional teams include the Wichita Thunder ice hockey team, Wichita Force indoor football team, and Wichita Wingnuts baseball team.
Defunct professionals teams which used to play in Wichita include the Wichita Aeros and Wichita Wranglers baseball teams, the Wichita Wings indoor soccer team, and the Wichita Wild indoor football team. Semi-pro teams include Kansas Cougars and Kansas Diamondbacks football teams.[124][125] Non-professional teams include the Wichita Barbarians rugby union team and the Wichita World 11 cricket team.[126][127] The city hosts the Air Capital Classic, a professional golf tournament of the Web.com Tour first played in 1990.
Collegiate teams based in the city include the Wichita State University Shockers, Newman University Jets, and the Friends University Falcons. The WSU Shockers are NCAA Division I teams which compete in men's and women's basketball, baseball, volleyball, track and field, tennis, and bowling. The Newman Jets are NCAA Division II teams which compete in baseball, basketball, bowling, cross country, golf, soccer, tennis, wrestling, volleyball, and cheer/dance. The Friends Falcons compete in Region IV of the NAIA in football, volleyball, soccer, cross country, basketball, tennis, track and field, and golf.
Several sports venues are located in and around the city. Intrust Bank Arena, located downtown, is a 15,000-seat multi-purpose arena that is home to the Wichita Thunder and Wichita Force. Lawrence-Dumont Stadium, located just west of downtown, is a medium-sized baseball stadium that has been home to Wichita's various minor-league baseball teams over the years. It is also home of the minor-league National Baseball Congress and the site of the Congress's annual National Tournament.
Wichita Ice Arena, also just west of downtown, is a public ice-skating rink used for ice-skating competitions. In addition, Century II has been used for professional wrestling tournaments, sporting-goods exhibitions, and other recreational activity. The WSU campus includes two major venues: Eck Stadium, a medium-sized stadium with a full-sized baseball field that is home to the WSU Shocker baseball team, and Charles Koch Arena, a medium-sized, dome-roofed circular arena with a collegiate basketball court that hosts the WSU Shocker basketball team. Koch Arena is also used extensively for city-wide and regional high school athletic events, concerts and other entertainments. Located just north of the city is 81 Motor Speedway, an oval motor-vehicle racetrack used extensively for a wide range of car, truck and motorcycle races, and other motor sports events. Neighboring Park City is home to Hartman Arena and the Sam Fulco Pavilions, a moderate-capacity low-roofed arena developed for small rodeos, horse shows, livestock competitions, and exhibitions.
Wichita is also home to two sports museums, the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame and the Wichita Sports Hall of Fame and Museum.[128][129]
Professional
Team | League | Sport |
---|---|---|
Wichita Thunder | ECHL | Ice hockey |
Wichita Wingnuts | AAIPL | Baseball |
Wichita Force | CIF | Indoor football |
College
School | School Nickname |
Level | # of Teams |
---|---|---|---|
Wichita State University | Shockers | NCAA Division I | 15 |
Newman University | Jets | NCAA Division II | 16 |
Friends University | Falcons | NAIA | 15 |
Government
Under state statute, Wichita is a city of the first class.[130] Since 1917, it has had a council-manager form of government.[131] The city council consists of seven members popularly elected every four years with staggered terms in office. For representative purposes, the city is divided into six districts with one council member elected from each district. The mayor is the seventh council member, elected at large. The council sets policy for the city, enacts laws and ordinances, levies taxes, approves the city budget, and appoints members to citizen commission and advisory boards.[132] The council meets each Tuesday.[130] The city manager is the city's chief executive, responsible for administering city operations and personnel, submitting the annual city budget, advising the city council, preparing the council's agenda, and oversight of non-departmental activities.[131]
The Wichita Police Department, established in 1871, is the city's law enforcement agency.[133] With over 800 employees, including more than 600 commissioned officers, it is the largest law enforcement agency in Kansas.[134] The Wichita Fire Department, organized in 1886, operates 22 stations throughout the city. Organized into four battalions, it employs over 400 full-time firefighters.[135]
As the county seat, Wichita is the administrative center of Sedgwick County. The county courthouse is located downtown, and most departments of the county government base their operations in the city.[136]
Many departments and agencies of the U.S. Government have facilities in Wichita. The Wichita U.S. Courthouse, located downtown, is one of the three courthouses of the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas.[137] The U.S. Air Force operates McConnell Air Force Base immediately southeast of the city.[138] The campus of the Robert J. Dole Department of Veterans Affairs Medical and Regional Office Center is located on U.S. 54 in east Wichita.[139] Other agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation,[140] Food and Drug Administration,[141] and Internal Revenue Service[142] among others, have offices in locations around the city.
Wichita lies within Kansas's 4th U.S. Congressional District. For the purposes of representation in the Kansas Legislature, the city is located in the 16th and 25th through 32nd districts of the Kansas Senate and the 81st, 83rd through 101st, 103rd, and 105th districts of the Kansas House of Representatives.[130]
Education
Primary and secondary education
With over 50,000 students, Wichita Public Schools (USD 259) is the largest school district in Kansas.[143] It operates more than 90 schools in the city including 10 high schools, 16 middle schools, 61 elementary schools, and more than a dozen special schools and programs.[144] Outlying portions of Wichita lie within suburban public school districts including Andover (USD 385), Circle (USD 375), Derby (USD 260), Goddard (USD 265), Haysville (USD 261), Maize (USD 266), and Valley Center (USD 262).[145]
There are more than 35 private and parochial schools in Wichita.[146] The Roman Catholic Diocese of Wichita oversees 16 Catholic schools in the city including 14 elementary schools and two high schools, Bishop Carroll Catholic High School and Kapaun Mt. Carmel High School.[147] The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod operates two Lutheran schools in the city, Bethany Lutheran School (Grades PK-5) and Holy Cross Lutheran School (PK-8).[148][149] There are also two Seventh-day Adventist schools in Wichita, Three Angels School (K-8) and Wichita Adventist Christian Academy (K-10).[150][151] Other Christian schools in the city are Bethel Life School (K-8), Calvary Christian School (PK-12), Central Christian Academy (K-8), Sunrise Christian Academy (PK-12), Trinity Academy (9-12), Wichita Friends School (PK-6), and Word of Life Traditional School (K-12). In addition, there is an Islamic school, Anoor School (PK-8), operated by the Islamic Society of Wichita. Non-religious private schools in the city include Wichita Collegiate School and The Independent School as well as three Montessori schools.[152]
Colleges and universities
Three universities have their main campuses in Wichita. The largest is Wichita State University (WSU), a four-year public university which has more than 14,000 students and is the third-largest university in Kansas.[153][154] WSU's main campus is in northeast Wichita with four satellite campuses located around the metro area.[155] Friends University, a private, non-denominational Christian university, has its main campus in west Wichita as does Newman University, a private Catholic university.[156][157] In addition, Wichita Area Technical College, a two-year public college, has its main campus and two satellite locations in the city.[158][159]
Several colleges and universities based outside Wichita operate satellite locations in and around the city. The University of Kansas School of Medicine has one of its three campuses in Wichita.[160] Baker University, Butler Community College, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Southwestern College, Tabor College, Vatterott College, and Webster University have Wichita facilities as do for-profit institutions including Heritage College, ITT Technical Institute, and University of Phoenix.[161][162][163][164]
Libraries
The Wichita Public Library is the city's library system, presently consisting of a Central Library downtown and nine branch locations in neighborhoods around the city.[165] The library operates several free programs for the public, including special events, technology training classes, and programs specifically for adults, children, and families.[166] As of 2009, its holdings included more than 1.3 million books and 2.2 million items total.[167]
Media
The Wichita Eagle, which began publication in 1872, is the city's major daily newspaper.[168] With a daily circulation of over 67,000 copies, it has the highest circulation of any newspaper published in Kansas.[14] The Wichita Business Journal is a weekly newspaper that covers local business events and developments.[169] Several other newspapers and magazines, including local lifestyle, neighborhood, and demographically-focused publications are also published in the city.[170] These include, among others: The Community Voice, aimed at the city's African American community;[171] the monthly East Wichita News;[172] F5, a weekly alternative newspaper;[173] the Liberty Press, LGBT news;[174] Splurge!, a local fashion and lifestyle magazine;[175] the Sunflower, the WSU student newspaper.[176] The Wichita media market also includes local newspapers in several surrounding suburban communities.
The Wichita radio market includes Sedgwick County and neighboring Butler and Harvey counties.[177] Six AM and more than a dozen FM radio stations are licensed to and/or broadcast from the city.[178]
Wichita is the principal city of the Wichita-Hutchinson, Kansas television market which consists of the western two-thirds of the state.[15] All of the market's network affiliates broadcast from Wichita with the ABC, CBS, CW, FOX and NBC affiliates serving the wider market through state networks of satellite and translator stations.[179][180][181][182][183][184] The city also hosts a PBS member station, a Univision affiliate, and several low-power stations.[185][186] Cable television service for Wichita and the surrounding area is provided by AT&T Uverse and Cox Communications.[187]
Infrastructure
Flood control
Wichita suffered severe floods of the Arkansas river in 1877, 1904, 1916, 1923, 1944, 1951 and 1955. In 1944 the city flooded 3 times in 11 days.[188] As a result of the 1944 flood, the idea for the Wichita-Valley Center Floodway (locally known as the "Big Ditch") was conceived. The project was completed in 1958. The Big Ditch diverts part of the Arkansas River's flow around west-central Wichita, running roughly parallel to the Interstate 235 bypass.[58][189] A second flood control canal lies between the lanes of Interstate 135, running south through the central part of the city. Chisholm Creek is diverted into this canal for most of its length.[58][190] The city's flood defenses were tested in the Great Flood of 1993. Flooding that year kept the Big Ditch full for more than a month and caused $6 million of damage to the flood control infrastructure. The damage was not fully repaired until 2007.[191]
Transportation
Highway
Several federal and state highways pass through Wichita. Interstate 35, as the Kansas Turnpike, enters the city from the south and turns northeast, running along the city's southeastern edge and exiting through the eastern part of the city. Interstate 135 runs generally north-south through the city, its southern terminus lying at its interchange with I-35 in south-central Wichita. Interstate 235, a bypass route, passes through north-central, west, and south-central Wichita, traveling around the central parts of the city. Both its northern and southern termini are interchanges with I-135. U.S. Route 54 and U.S. Route 400 run concurrently through Wichita as Kellogg Avenue, the city's primary east-west artery, with interchanges, from west to east, with I-235, I-135, and I-35. U.S. Route 81, a north-south route, enters Wichita from the south as Broadway, turns east as 47th Street South for approximately half a mile, and then runs concurrently north with I-135 through the rest of the city. K-96, an east-west route, enters the city from the northwest, runs concurrently with I-235 through north-central Wichita, turns south for approximately a mile, running concurrently with I-135 before splitting off to the east and traveling around northeast Wichita, ultimately terminating at an interchange with U.S. 54/U.S. 400 in the eastern part of the city. K-254 begins at I-235's interchange with I-135 in north-central Wichita and exits the city to the northeast. K-15, a north-south route, enters the city from the south and joins I-135 and U.S. 81 in south-central Wichita, running concurrently with them through the rest of the city. K-42 enters the city from the southwest and terminates at its interchange with U.S. 54/U.S. 400 in west-central Wichita.[58]
Bus
Wichita Transit operates 53 buses on 18 fixed bus routes within the city. The organization reports over 2 million trips per year (5,400 trips per day) on its fixed routes. Wichita Transit also operates a demand response paratransit service with 320,800 passenger trips annually.[192] A 2005 study ranked Wichita near the bottom of the fifty largest American cities in terms of percentage of commuters using public transit. Only 0.5% used it to get to or from work.[193]
Greyhound Lines provides intercity bus service northeast to Topeka and south to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Bus service is provided daily north towards Salina and west towards Pueblo, Colorado by BeeLine Express (subcontractor of Greyhound Lines).[194][195] The Greyhound bus station that was built in 1961 at 312 S Broadway is closing in 2016, and services will be relocated 1 block northeast to the Wichita Transit station at 777 E Waterman.[196]
Air
The Wichita Airport Authority manages the city's two main public airports, Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport and Colonel James Jabara Airport.[197] Located in the western part of the city, Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport is the city's primary airport as well as the largest airport in the state of Kansas.[58][197] Five commercial airlines (Allegiant, American, Delta, Southwest & United) serve Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport with non-stop flights to several U.S. airline hubs.[198] Jabara Airport is a general aviation facility located on the city's northeast side.[199] In addition, there are several privately owned airports located throughout the city. Cessna Aircraft Field and Beech Factory Airport, operated by manufacturers Cessna and Beechcraft, respectively, lie in east Wichita.[200][201] Two smaller airports, Riverside Airport and Westport Airport, are located in west Wichita.[202][203]
Rail
Two Class I railroads, BNSF Railway and Union Pacific Railroad (UP), operate freight rail lines through Wichita.[204] UP's OKT Line runs generally north-south through the city; north of downtown, the line consists of trackage leased to BNSF.[58][205] An additional UP line enters the city from the northeast and terminates downtown.[58] BNSF's main line through the city enters from the north, passes through downtown, and exits to the southeast, paralleling highway K-15.[58][206] The Wichita Terminal Association, a joint operation between BNSF and UP, provides switching service on three miles (5 km) of track downtown.[207] In addition, two lines of the Kansas and Oklahoma Railroad enter the city, one from the northwest and the other from the southwest, both terminating at their junction in west-central Wichita.[58]
Wichita has not had passenger rail service since 1979.[208] The nearest Amtrak station is in Newton 25 miles (40 km) north, offering service on the Southwest Chief line between Los Angeles and Chicago.[204] Since 2008, however, Amtrak and the Kansas Department of Transportation have been studying the feasibility of restoring service via route options between Oklahoma City and Newton or Kansas City, Missouri.[209][210]
Walkability
A 2014 study by Walk Score ranked Wichita 41st most walkable of fifty largest U.S. cities.[211]
Notable people
Civic leaders and political figures
Wyatt Earp served as a lawman in several Western frontier towns, including Wichita. He is best known for his part in the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral and as one of the Old West's "toughest and deadliest gunmen of his day".[212]
Robert Gates, former Director of U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, and Secretary of Defense, is a Wichita native, and graduate of Wichita schools.
Dan Glickman, former Secretary of Agriculture, and former head of the Motion Picture Association, began his political career in Wichita, first on the school board, then as 4th District Congressman.
Business and economic figures
Businessmen Charles and David Koch (Koch Industries), Dan and Frank Carney (Pizza Hut), Clyde Cessna (Cessna Aircraft), Walter Herschel Beech (Beech Aircraft Company), Bill Lear (Lear Jet), and businesswoman Olive Ann Beech (Beech Aircraft Company) were all born in or lived in Wichita. White Castle founders Billy Ingram and Walter Anderson are also from Wichita.
Economist Vernon L. Smith was born in Wichita, where he attended Wichita North High School. Smith is best known for receiving the 2002 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences for his work in experimental economics.
Athletes
Athletes including Pro Football Hall of Fame running backs Gale Sayers and Barry Sanders, Olympic athlete and Congressman Jim Ryun, Basketball Hall of Famer Lynette Woodard, and former UFC flyweight fighter Tim Elliott were all born in Wichita. Four-time Indianapolis 500 winner Rick Mears was born in Wichita. So was Mears' older brother Roger Mears, an off-road champion.
Fine arts and Literature
Artist Bessie Callender, known for her sculptures of animals and her direct carving technique, was born in the Wichita area. She developed her interest in animals while growing up on a farm near Wichita.[213] Artist Bob Peak, known for his role in developing the modern film poster, also grew up in Wichita where he attended Wichita State University. The heavy metal band Manilla Road was formed in this city.
Media and Performing Arts
A number of famous actors are from Wichita, including Emmy and Golden Globe-winning actress Kirstie Alley, known for her role in the TV show Cheers, was born in Wichita and lives in the city part-time.[214] Actor Don Johnson of Miami Vice and Nash Bridges, along with various other television and movie roles, lived in Wichita throughout most of his childhood. Oscar-winning actress and Gone with the Wind star Hattie McDaniel was born in Wichita. Game show host Jeff Probst, best known for hosting the reality show Survivor, was born in Wichita.
Early network television news commentator, spokesperson and game show panelist John Cameron Swayze, and Jim Lehrer—PBS News Hour anchor-editor for three decades, and "dean" of presidential debate moderators—were both Wichita natives. Melissa McDermott was an anchor at Wichita's KSNW before her job at CBS's Up to the Minute in the 1980s and 1990s. Network sportscaster Andrea Joyce (NBC, CBS, ESPN) was first a news anchor for Wichita's KWCH/KTVH-TV in the 1980s.
Musician Joe Walsh, founding member of the band James Gang and later member of The Eagles, is from Wichita. American Idol Season 6 finalist Phil Stacey attended high school at Wichita Northwest High School.
Sister cities
- Cancún, Mexico - November 25, 1975
- Kaifeng, Henan, China - December 3, 1985
- Orléans, France - August 16, 1944,[215][216] through Sister Cities International
- Tlalnepantla de Baz, Mexico[217]
Gallery
-
Campbell Castle in Wichita's Riverside neighborhood (2013)
-
The Commerce Street Arts District in downtown Wichita (2008)
-
Davis Building at Friends University (2006)
-
Downtown Wichita at night (2007)
-
Eck Stadium at Wichita State University (2005)
-
Edwin A. Ulrich Museum of Art at Wichita State University (2007)
-
The Epic Center, the tallest building in Wichita (2006)
-
Exploration Place science museum (2013)
-
Locomotives on display at the Great Plains Transportation Museum (2007)
-
Intrust Bank Arena (2013)
-
The John Mack Bridge over the Arkansas River in south Wichita (2013)
-
Kansas Aviation Museum, formerly Wichita Municipal Airport from 1935 to 1951 (2007)
-
Lawrence-Dumont Stadium (2014)
-
The Robert J. Dole Veterans Affairs Medical Center (2013)
-
Old Sedgwick County Courthouse (2009)
-
The Sedgwick County Soldiers and Sailors Monument (2013)
-
The Downing Gorilla Forest at the Sedgwick County Zoo (2013)
-
Wichita Art Museum (2012)
See also
Notes
References
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- ^ a b c d e f Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) details for Wichita, Kansas; United States Geological Survey (USGS); October 13, 1978.
- ^ a b c "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2014-12-07.
- ^ a b c d "Population Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 20, 2016.
- ^ United States Postal Service (2012). "USPS - Look Up a ZIP Code". Retrieved 2012-02-15.
- ^ Wichita. CollinsDictionary.com. Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 11th Edition. Retrieved October 21, 2012.
- ^ "Kansas: 2000 Population and Housing Unit Counts" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. July 2003. p. 46. Retrieved 2011-01-20.
- ^ "Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas". Population Estimates. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2014-08-18.
- ^ Miner, Prof. Craig (Wichita State Univ. Dept. of History), Wichita: The Magic City, Wichita Historical Museum Assn., Wichita, KS, 1988
- ^ Howell, Angela and Peg Vines, The Insider's Guide to Wichita, Wichita Eagle & Beacon Publishing, Wichita, KS, 1995
- ^ a b McCoy, Daniel (interview with Beechcraft CEO Bill Boisture), "Back to Beechcraft," Wichita Business Journal, Feb. 22, 2013
- ^ a b c Harris, Richard, "The Air Capital Story: Early General Aviation & Its Manufacturers", reprinted from In Flight USA magazine on author's own website, 2002/2003
- ^ a b c Harris, Richard, (Chairman, Kansas Aviation Centennial; Kansas Aviation History Speaker, Kansas Humanities Council; Amer. Av. Historical Soc.), "Kansas Aviation History: The Long Story", 2011, Kansas Aviation Centennial website
- ^ a b "Highest Circulation Kansas Newspapers". Mondo Times. Retrieved 2013-07-28.
- ^ a b "TV Market Maps - Kansas". EchoStar Knowledge Base. Retrieved 2013-07-28.
- ^ "Grove Park Archaeological Site". Historic Preservation Alliance of Wichita and Sedgwick County. Retrieved 2015-03-21.
- ^ Brooks, Robert L. "Wichitas". Encyclopedia of the Great Plains. University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Retrieved 2014-03-21.
- ^ Sturtevant, William C. (1967). "Early Indian Tribes, Culture Areas, and Linguistic Stocks [Map]". Smithsonian Institution. Retrieved 2015-03-21.
- ^ "Louisiana Purchase". Kansapedia. Kansas Historical Society. Retrieved 2015-03-21.
- ^ "Kansas Territory". Kansapedia. Kansas Historical Society. Retrieved 2015-03-21.
- ^ a b Sowers, Fred A. (1910). "Early History of Wichita". History of Wichita and Sedgwick County, Kansas. Chicago: C.F. Cooper & Co. Retrieved 2015-03-21.
- ^ a b Elam, Earl H. (June 15, 2010). "Wichita Indians". Handbook of Texas (online ed.). Texas State Historical Association.
- ^ a b c d Howell, Angela; Vines, Peg (1995). The Insider's Guide to Wichita. Wichita, Kansas: Wichita Eagle & Beacon Publishing.
- ^ a b c "History of Wichita". Wichita Metro Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved 2015-03-21.
- ^ a b c "Midtown Neighborhood Plan" (PDF). Wichita-Sedgwick County Metropolitan Area Planning Department. 2004. Retrieved 2015-03-21.
- ^ a b c Miner, Craig (1988). Wichita: The Magic City. Wichita, Kansas: Wichita Historical Museum Association.
- ^ "Oldtown History". OldtownWichita.com. Retrieved 2015-03-21.
- ^ a b c "Delano's Colorful History". Historic Delano, Inc. Retrieved 2015-03-21.
- ^ "History of Wichita State University". Wichita State University. Retrieved 2015-03-26.
- ^ "History". Friends University. Retrieved 2015-03-26.
- ^ a b "Census of Population and Housing". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2015-03-26.
- ^ "Overview". Delano Neighborhood Plan. City of Wichita, Kansas. Retrieved 2015-03-26.
- ^ a b Price, Jay M. (2005). El Dorado : legacy of an oil boom. Charleston, SC: Arcadia. ISBN 978-0738539713.
- ^ "Petroleum Refining: A 125 Year Kansas Legacy" (PDF). Kansas Department of Health and Environment. Retrieved 2015-03-19.
- ^ Dilsaver, Dick (1967-11-18). "Fred Koch, Industrialist, Dies in Utah". The Wichita Beacon.
{{cite web}}
: Missing or empty|url=
(help) - ^ Harris, Richard (2002). "The Air Capital Story: Early General Aviation & Its Manufacturers". In Flight USA.
- ^ "Aeronautical Yearbook, 1929". Aeronautical Chamber of Commerce.
{{cite web}}
: Missing or empty|url=
(help) - ^ Tanner, Beccy (2012-01-05). "Boeing's Wichita history dates to 1927". The Wichita Eagle. Retrieved 2015-03-26.
- ^ a b "History of the Building". Kansas Aviation Museum. Retrieved 2015-03-26.
- ^ Herman, Arthur. Freedom's Forge: How American Business Produced Victory in World War II, pp. 297-300, 307-8, 314-318, 321, Random House, New York, NY, 2012. ISBN 978-1-4000-6964-4.
- ^ "Learjet: A Brief History" (PDF). Bombardier Inc. January 2008. Retrieved 2015-03-26.
- ^ a b c d "Wichita, Kansas". Encyclopedia of the Great Plains. University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Retrieved 2015-03-28.
- ^ "About Us". Mentholatum. Retrieved 2015-03-28.
- ^ "First Light (1900-1929)". Coleman Company. Retrieved 2015-03-28.
- ^ "Bronze Sculpture of Lunch Counter for Downtown Park is Tribute to Civil Rights Activists". The Wichita Eagle. 1998-02-04. Retrieved 2015-03-28.
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- ^ Davey, Monica; Stumpe, Joe (2009-05-31). "Abortion Doctor Shot to Death in Kansas Church". The New York Times. Retrieved 2015-03-28.
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- ^ Neil, Denise (2014-12-06). "After 5 years, Intrust Bank Arena still battles image problem". The Wichita Eagle. Retrieved 2015-03-28.
- ^ McMillin, Molly (2014-07-29). "End of an era: Boeing in final stages of leaving Wichita". The Wichita Eagle. Retrieved 2015-03-28.
- ^ "Airbus Americas". OldtownWichita.com. Retrieved 2015-03-28.
- ^ Siebenmark, Jerry. "Eisenhower's granddaughter helps Wichita rename its airport". The Wichita Eagle. Retrieved 2015-03-28.
- ^ "2003-2004 Official Transportation Map" (PDF). Kansas Department of Transportation. 2003. Retrieved 2011-01-01.
- ^ "City Distance Tool". Geobytes. Retrieved 2011-01-01.
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- ^ "Arkansas River and Wellington-McPherson Lowlands - Introduction". Kansas Geological Survey. 2005-05-03. Retrieved 2011-01-01.
- ^ "Sedgwick County Geohydrology - Geography". Kansas Geological Survey. Dec 1965. Retrieved 2011-01-01.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "City of Wichita" (PDF). Kansas Department of Transportation. June 2010. Retrieved 2011-01-01.
- ^ "General Highway Map - Sedgwick County, Kansas" (PDF). Kansas Department of Transportation. June 2009. Retrieved 2011-01-01.
- ^ Peel, M. C.; Finlayson, B. L.; McMahon, T. A. (2007-03-01). "Updated Köppen-Geiger climate classification map" (PDF). Hydrology and Earth System Sciences (4). Hydrology and Earth System Sciences Discussions: 439–473. Retrieved 2012-01-25.
- ^ "Kansas Tornado History - Historical Tornado Facts". Tornadochaser.com. Retrieved 2009-09-12.
- ^ 1991 Wichita Tornado Photo Collection
- ^ 1965 Wichita Tornado Photo Collection
- ^ a b "Historical Weather for Wichita, Kansas, United States of America". Weatherbase. Retrieved 2012-01-25.
- ^ a b c d "Average weather for Wichita, KS". The Weather Channel. Retrieved 2012-01-25.
- ^ a b c d e "NOWData - NOAA Online Weather Data". National Weather Service Forecast Office - Wichita, KS. Retrieved 2012-01-25.
- ^ "Station Name: KS WICHITA". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 2013-03-10.
{{cite web}}
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ignored (|url-status=
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- ^ City of Wichita - Park and Recreation Parks, Greenways, and Recreation Corridors
- ^ City of Wichita - Historic Preservation Main
- ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2015". Retrieved July 2, 2016.
- ^ United States Census Bureau. "Census of Population and Housing". Retrieved August 18, 2014.
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- ^ a b "OMB Bulletin No. 10-02" (PDF). Office of Management and Budget. 2009-12-01. p. 59. Retrieved 2011-01-22.
- ^ "OMB Bulletin No. 10-02" (PDF). Office of Management and Budget. 2009-12-01. p. 117. Retrieved 2011-01-22.
- ^ Thomas, G. Scott (2011). "Metro Area Populations as of July 2011: 2011 - United States -- Metropolitan Statistical Area". 2011 American City Business Journals, Inc. American City Business Journals, Inc. Retrieved 2011-04-30.
- ^ "Annual Estimates of the Population of Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2013". 2013 Population Estimates. United States Census Bureau, Population Division. August 18, 2014. Retrieved August 18, 2014.
- ^ "Population and Housing Occupancy Status: 2010 - United States -- Combined Statistical Area". 2010 Census National Summary File of Redistricting Data. United States Census Bureau, Population Division. 2010. Retrieved 2011-04-30.
- ^ "Population and Housing Occupancy Status: 2010 - State -- County / County Equivalent". 2010 Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171) Summary File. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2011-04-30.
- ^ "Hawker Beechcraft secures $40 million incentive package to remain in Wichita". Retrieved 2011-01-02.
- ^ a b "Wichita Chamber of Commerce". Wichitakansas.org. Retrieved 2013-07-15.
- ^ "Hospital ready for visitors", Wichita Eagle and Kansas.com, July 18, 2010.
- ^ "Forbes article". Forbes.
- ^ "uipl_3002c2a3.html." United States Department of Labor. Retrieved on May 26, 2009.
- ^ "Wichita, Kansas". City-Data.com. Retrieved 2015-03-11.
- ^ Bissionette, Bruce, The Wichita 4: Cessna, Moellendick, Beech & Stearman, (from interviews with Matty Laird, Lloyd Stearman, Olive Ann Beech, Dwayne Wallace, Rawdon, Burnham, and other principals), Aviation Heritage Books, Destin, FL, 1999.
- ^ a b Rowe, Frank J. (aviation engineering executive) & Prof. Craig. Miner (Wichita State Univ. Dept. of History). Borne on the South Wind: A Century of Kansas Aviation, Wichita Eagle & Beacon Publishing Co., Wichita. 1994 (the standard reference work on Kansas aviation history)
- ^ a b Penner, Marci, editor, and Richard Harris, contributor, in "Wichita Aviation Industry" in "8 Wonders of Kansas Commerce" on the Kansas Sampler website of the Kansas Sampler Foundation, sponsored by the Kansas Humanities Council for the Kansas 150 Sesquicentennial, 2010-2011.
- ^ General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), GAMA Statistical Databook & Industry Outlook 2007, Washington, D.C.GAMA (General Aviation Manufacturers Association), GAMA Statistical Databook & Industry Outlook 2010, Washington, D.C. (which includes historical data for previous 10 years)
- ^ "Boeing to close Wichita Facility by end of 2013". Boeing to close Wichita Facility by end of 2013. Retrieved 18 February 2012.
- ^ "Wichita Art Museum Visitor Information". Wichitaartmuseum.org. Retrieved 2009-09-12.
- ^ "About Us". Ulrich Museum of Art at Wichita State University. Retrieved 2015-09-14.
- ^ River Festival estimates record attendance - Wichita Business Journal
- ^ "Wichita Public Library - Programs - 28th Annual Academy Awards Shorts, website of the Wichita Public Library, City of Wichita, Wichita, Kansas, 03/03/2014, downloaded 09/22/2014
- ^ "26th Annual Academy Awards Shorts," press release, Wichita Public Library, as posted on [OldtownWichita.com], Wichita, Kansas, Jan.24, 2012, downloaded Sept.22, 2014
- ^ Pocowatchit, Rod "Wichita Public Library to present Oscar-nominated short films," Wichita Eagle, Wichita, Kansas 02/17/2012, Updated: 02/17/2012, downloaded 09/22/2014
- ^ Pocowatchit, Rod "Wichita Public Library Presents: Oscar Nominated Shorts 2014" press release, The Orpheum Theatre, Wichita, Kansas 03/01/2014, downloaded 09/22/2014
- ^ Horn, John, Associated Press, "Obscure Oscar Nominated Films Face Battle," as published in the The Sunday Gazette, Mar 12, 1998, Schenectady, New York, photocopied by Google News Archive Search, downloaded 09/22/2014
- ^ Jackson, Susan M., "Academy Award director to speak in Wichita," The Kansan, Salina, Kansas, March 26, 2010, downloaded Sept. 22, 2014
- ^ Tallgrass Film (Search)
- ^ Wichita Flight Festival official website, visited 2014-09-22
- ^ Brisbin, Airman 1st Class Katrina M., "'Wings Over McConnell' showcases Airmen," press release, Public Affairs Office, 22nd Air Refueling Wing, U.S. Air Force, McConnell Air Force Base, Wichita, KS, Posted 10/2/2012, Updated 10/3/2012
- ^ "Our Building". The Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum. Retrieved 2015-09-14.
- ^ Keith Stokes. "Coleman Factory Outlet and Museum - Wichita, Kansas". Kansastravel.org. Retrieved 2013-07-15.
- ^ "Wichita Kansas Attractions". Wichitalinks.com. Retrieved 2009-09-12.
- ^ "INTRUST Bank Arena". INTRUST Bank Arena. Retrieved 2013-07-15.
- ^ Intrust Bank Arena Announces Grand Opening Activities
- ^ "Welcome to Old Town". OldtownWichita.com. Retrieved 2015-09-14.
- ^ "Moody's Skid Row Beanery by Pat O'Connor: 1960s Wichita, KS Beatniks, Hoboes: Moody Connell Beats In Kansas". Vlib.us. Retrieved 2013-07-15.
- ^ Rengers, Carrie (2009-06-16). "Office This reaches 75 percent occupancy with two new tenants | Have You Heard? | Wichita Eagle Blogs". Retrieved 2013-07-15.
- ^ "8 Wonders of Kansas Art". kansassampler.org. Kansas Sampler Foundation. Retrieved 10 October 2015.
- ^ "Best Places to Live 2006". Money Magazine. 2006. Retrieved 2008-08-05.
- ^ "2008 MSN Real Estate best bargain markets". MSN Real Estate. 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-26.
- ^ Greenberg, Peter. "Newsmax Magazine Rates the Top 25 Most Uniquely American Cities And Towns". Newsmax. Retrieved 13 January 2014.
- ^ Swanbeck, John (director) (1999). The Big Kahuna (Film). U.S.A.: Lions Gate Films.
- ^ Tourneur, Jacques (director) (1955). Wichita (Film). U.S.A.: Allied Artists Pictures Corporation.
{{cite AV media}}
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- ^ Kasdan, Lawrence (director) (1994). Wyatt Earp (Film). U.S.A.: Warner Bros.
- ^ "Wichita Town". IMDb. Retrieved 2013-10-19.
- ^ Chomsky, Marvin J. (director) (1979). Good Luck, Miss Wyckoff (Film). U.S.A.: Bel Air/Gradison Productions.
{{cite AV media}}
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(help)|title=
- ^ Hughes, John (director) (1987). Planes, Trains & Automobiles (Film). U.S.A.: Paramount Pictures.
- ^ Ramis, Harold (director) (2005). The Ice Harvest (Film). U.S.A.: Focus Features.
{{cite AV media}}
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(help)|title=
- ^ Knight and Day at AllMovie
- ^ AP (2001-06-02). "'Dennis the Menace' creator dies at 81; strip to continue". The Topeka Capital-Journal. Retrieved 2013-10-19.
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- ^ a b c "Wichita". Directory of Kansas Public Officials. The League of Kansas Municipalities. Retrieved 2012-03-14.
- ^ a b "City Manager". City of Wichita. Retrieved 2011-04-30.
- ^ "City Council". City of Wichita. Retrieved 2011-04-30.
- ^ "History of the Wichita Police Department". City of Wichita. Retrieved 2011-04-30.
- ^ "-Departmental Information". City of Wichita. Retrieved 2011-04-30.
- ^ "About Us [Wichita Fire Department]". City of Wichita, Kansas. 2014-01-06.
- ^ "Sedgwick County, Kansas Government". Sedgwick County, Kansas. Retrieved 2012-07-30.
- ^ "Courthouse Information". U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas. Retrieved 2013-08-25.
- ^ "FAQ Topic - Newcomers". U.S. Air Force. Retrieved 2013-08-25.
- ^ "Locations - Robert J. Dole Department of Veterans Affairs Medical and Regional Office Center". U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Retrieved 2013-08-25.
- ^ "Kansas City Division - Territory/Jurisdiction". Federal Bureau of Investigation. Retrieved 2013-08-25.
- ^ "FDA Southwest Regional/District Offices". U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Retrieved 2013-08-25.
- ^ "Contact My Local Office in Kansas". Internal Revenue Service. Retrieved 2013-08-25.
- ^ "2012-13 Demographic Snapshot". Wichita Public Schools. 2012-10-01. Retrieved 2013-06-12.
- ^ "Directory of Buildings" (PDF). Wichita Public Schools. Retrieved 2011-02-04.
- ^ "South Central Kansas School Districts". ALTEC at University of Kansas. 2003. Retrieved 2011-02-04.
- ^ "Education". Wichita Metro Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved 2011-02-04.
- ^ "2010-2011 School Directory". Roman Catholic Diocese of Wichita. Retrieved 2011-02-04.
- ^ "Classes". Bethany Lutheran School. Retrieved 2011-02-04.
- ^ "Welcome to Holy Cross Lutheran School". Holy Cross Lutheran School. Retrieved 2011-02-04.
- ^ "Three Angels School". Three Angels Seventh-day Adventist Church. Retrieved 2011-02-04.
- ^ "Wichita Adventist Christian Academy". Wichita Adventist Christian Academy. Retrieved 2011-02-04.
- ^ "Private Schools" (PDF). Wichta Metro Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved 2011-02-04.
- ^ "Wichita State University". College Portraits of Undergraduate Education. Retrieved 2011-02-05.
- ^ "College Comparison Tool". U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved 2011-02-05.
- ^ "Satellite Campuses". Wichita State University. Retrieved 2011-02-05.
- ^ "Friends Fact Sheet". Friends University. Retrieved 2011-02-05.
- ^ "2010-11 Admission Brochure". Newman University. p. 5. Retrieved 2011-02-05.
- ^ "Wichita Area Technical College". College Navigator. National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved 2011-02-05.
- ^ "Campuses". Wichita Area Technical College. Retrieved 2011-02-05.
- ^ "School of Medicine". KU Medical Center. Retrieved 2011-02-05.
- ^ "Education". Wichita Metro Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved 2011-02-05.
- ^ "McConnell Campus". Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Retrieved 2011-02-05.
- ^ "Heritage College-Wichita". College Navigator. National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved 2011-02-05.
- ^ "ITT Technical Institute-Wichita". College Navigator. National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved 2011-02-05.
- ^ "Library locations". Wichita Public Library. Retrieved 2011-02-12.
- ^ "Free programs". Wichita Public Library. 2011-01-10. Retrieved 2011-02-12.
- ^ "Wichita Public Library - 2009 Annual Report" (PDF). Wichita Public Library. p. 26. Retrieved 2011-02-12.
- ^ "Wichita Eagle". Mondo Times. Retrieved 2011-01-15.
- ^ "Wichita Business Journal". Mondo Times. Retrieved 2011-01-15.
- ^ "Wichita Kansas Newspapers". Mondo Newspapers. Retrieved 2014-10-24.
- ^ "Voice It Wichita.com". TCV Publishing. Retrieved 2014-10-24.
- ^ "East Wichita News". Clifton Square. Retrieved 2011-01-15.
- ^ "F5". F5. Retrieved 2014-10-24.
{{cite web}}
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(help) - ^ "Liberty Press". Mondo Times. Retrieved 2011-01-15.
- ^ "Backstory". SplurgeMag. Retrieved 2014-10-24.
- ^ "About Us". The Sunflower. 2008-10-13. Retrieved 2011-01-15.
{{cite web}}
: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=
(help) - ^ "2009 Arbitron Radio Metro Map" (PDF). Arbitron. Retrieved 2012-03-14.
- ^ "Radio Stations in Wichita, Kansas". Radio-Locator. Retrieved 2011-01-09.
- ^ "Contact Us". KAKE. Retrieved 2011-01-09.
- ^ "About Us - kwch.com". KWCH. Retrieved 2011-01-09.
- ^ "About KSCW". KSCW-DT. Retrieved 2011-01-09.
- ^ "Contact Us - Fox Kansas". KSAS. Retrieved 2011-01-09.
- ^ "Contact Us - myTVwichita". KMTW. Retrieved 2011-01-09.
- ^ "Contact Us - KSN TV". KSN. Retrieved 2011-01-09.
- ^ "Contact Us". KPTS. Retrieved 2011-01-09.
- ^ "Wichita-Hutchinson Television Stations". Station Index. Retrieved 2011-01-09.
- ^ "Telephone & Utilities". Wichita Metro Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved 2011-01-09.
- ^ Tanner, Beccy (11 August 2013). "Ad Astra: Idea for Big Ditch grew after Wichita had sustained series of major floods". kansas.com. The Wichita Eagle. Retrieved 24 March 2015.
- ^ "Storm Water Management". City of Wichita. Retrieved 2011-01-01.
- ^ "Wichita and Valley Center Local Protection Project". United States Army Corps of Engineers. Retrieved 2011-01-01.
- ^ Associated Press. "Flood-control ditch needs $6M in repairs". ljworld.com. Lawrence Journal World. Retrieved 24 March 2015.
- ^ "Wichita Transit". City of Wichita. Retrieved 2011-01-08.
- ^ Christie, Les (2007-06-13). "New Yorkers are top transit users". CNNmoney.com. Retrieved 2007-06-29.
{{cite news}}
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(help) - ^ BeeLine Express
- ^ Greyhound Lines
- ^ Greyhound relocating to city's downtown transit station; The Wichita Eagle; January 2, 2016.
- ^ a b "Mid-Continent Airport History". Wichita Airport Authority. Retrieved 2011-01-09.
- ^ "Airline Information". Wichita Airport Authority. Retrieved 2011-01-09.
- ^ "KAAO - Colonel James Jabara Airport". AirNav.com. Retrieved 2011-01-09.
- ^ "KCEA - Cessna Aircraft Field Airport". AirNav.com. Retrieved 2011-01-09.
- ^ "KBEC - Beech Factory Airport". AirNav.com. Retrieved 2011-01-09.
- ^ "K32 - Riverside Airport". AirNav.com. Retrieved 2011-01-09.
- ^ "71K - Westport Airport". AirNav.com. Retrieved 2011-01-09.
- ^ a b "Getting Around the Metro Area". Wichita Metro Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved 2010-01-09.
- ^ "UPRR Common Line Names". Union Pacific Railroad. Retrieved 2011-01-09.
- ^ "Kansas Operating Division" (PDF). BNSF Railway. 2009-04-01. Retrieved 2011-01-09.
- ^ "Rail Plan 2005-2006" (PDF). Kansas Department of Transportation. pp. 66–67. Retrieved 2011-01-09.
- ^ Wistrom, Brent (2010-01-11). "Proposed Amtrak line would mean millions for Wichita". USA Today. Retrieved 2011-01-09.
{{cite news}}
: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=
(help) - ^ "Passenger Rail". Kansas Department of Transportation. Retrieved 2011-01-09.
- ^ Hertneky, Dana (2010-09-02). "Kansas rail service expansion still on track". KSN. Retrieved 2011-01-09.
- ^ "City and Neighborhood Rankings". Walk Score. 2014. Retrieved February 16, 2015.
- ^ Cummins, Ann (April 15, 2010). "Wyatt Earp's Tombstone Vendetta". KNAU Public Radio. Retrieved 28 February 2012.
- ^ "Bessie Stough Callender". Smithsonian American Art Museum.
- ^ "Kirstie Alley". Soylent Communications. Retrieved 2010-11-09.
- ^ "Jumelages et Relations Internationales - Avignon". Avignon.fr (in French). Retrieved 2013-07-13.
- ^ "Atlas français de la coopération décentralisée et des autres actions extérieures". Ministère des affaires étrangères (in French). Retrieved 2013-07-13.
- ^ "Interactive City Directory". Sister Cities International.
Further reading
- City
- Wichita : Illustrated History 1868 to 1880; Eunice S. Chapter; 52 pages; 1914. (Download 3MB PDF eBook)
- History of Wichita and Sedgwick County Kansas : Past and present, including an account of the cities, towns, and villages of the county; 2 Volumes; O.H. Bentley; C.F. Cooper & Co; 454 / 479 pages; 1910. (Volume1 - Download 20MB PDF eBook),(Volume2 - Download 31MB PDF eBook)
- Kansas
- History of the State of Kansas; William G. Cutler; A.T. Andreas Publisher; 1883. (Online HTML eBook)
- Kansas : A Cyclopedia of State History, Embracing Events, Institutions, Industries, Counties, Cities, Towns, Prominent Persons, Etc; 3 Volumes; Frank W. Blackmar; Standard Publishing Co; 944 / 955 / 824 pages; 1912. (Volume1 - Download 54MB PDF eBook),(Volume2 - Download 53MB PDF eBook), (Volume3 - Download 33MB PDF eBook)
External links
- City
- City of Wichita
- Wichita - Directory of Public Officials
- Wichita Metro Chamber of Commerce
- Greater Wichita Convention & Visitors Bureau
- Wichita Area Sister Cities
- Schools
- USD 259, local school district
- Newspapers
- The Wichita Eagle, local daily newspaper
- The College Hill Commoner, local neighborhood newspaper
- Historical
- Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum
- Discover Historic Wichita, Brochure with Map / List / Photos / Description of 121 Registered Historic Landmarks
- Carthalite - Wichita's Beautiful Concrete, Fall 2007 issue of American Bungalow magazine
- Wichita History at a Glance
- Wichita Photo Archives at WSU
- Historic photos of Wichita African-American community on YouTube, from Hatteberg's People on KAKE TV news
- Travel
- Maps
- Wichita City Map, KSDOT