10 Unique Trivia Facts About Kansas You Might Not Have Heard Before
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Lisa Sammons
Author
Kansas is such an underrated state with so much going for it, from its amazing natural scenery to its rich and vibrant history. If you’re a big fan of learning about the Sunflower State, check out these fun facts about Kansas that we’ve gathered up for you today!
1. Kansas is the seventh-flattest state.
We may have a reputation of being as flat as a pancake, but there are six others that are flatter than us!
2. Kansas was once home to a national forest.
In 1907, the U.S. Forest Service established the Garden City National Forest with nearly 100,000 acres of trees. The forest would eventually be renamed the Kansas National Forest and would one day encompass 300,000 acres. The hope was that the project would result in the discovery of trees that could survive amongst the prairie ecosystem. The project was disbanded in 1915 after very little success - even the tallest trees only reached about two feet in height.
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3. The first woman to serve as mayor in the United States was Susanna Madora Salter, who was elected mayor of Argonia in 1887.
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4. The term "Red Light District" originated in Dodge City.
According to legend, Dodge City's Red Light House Saloon was such a popular house of prostitution that it led to the term being commonplace.
5. The first discovery of natural helium in America occurred in Dexter City, Kansas.
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6. In Kansas, the Arkansas River is pronounced "ar-KAN-zuhs." In Colorado and Oklahoma, it's called the "AR-ken-saw."
7. Council Grove's Hays House is the oldest continuously operating restaurant west of the Mississippi River. It opened in 1857.
8. Kansas's contributions to American agriculture cannot be overstated.
In 2017, Kansas produced 18% of all wheat grown in the United States, 55% of all grain sorghum in the United States, and 11% of cattle sold in the United States. Wow!
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9. No seriously, Kansas produces enough wheat to make 36 billion loaves of bread each year.
That's more than four loaves for everyone on the planet!
10. The first national hamburger chain in the United states opened in Wichita.
White Castle was founded in 1921 (the building is no longer standing).
Do you know of any other fun facts about Kansas? Share yours in the comments!
If you love the Sunflower State as much as we do, check out the great Kansas apparel available at Wear Your Roots.
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