For my quest for always learning something new I rode over to Wichita, KS. for a few days of education and relaxing.
I've learned that Wichita has served as a trading center and meeting place for many years.
The first permanent settlement in Wichita was a collection of grass houses inhabited by the Wichita Indians in 1863. J.R. Mead became the first white settler in 1864 when he opened a trading post. Jesse Chisholm pioneered the Chisholm Trail in 1865.
Wichita was incorporated in 1870. Wichita became a destination for cattle drives from Texas, which explains its nickname, "Cowtown." The original stimulus to the City's economic development was the extension of the Santa Fe Railway into Wichita in 1872. Wichita boomed as a cow town until the late 1870s when settlers fenced off the prairie and the Chisholm Trail with barbed wire, and many cattle drives shifted west to Dodge City.
During the 1890s, the grain produced from the farms in the region more than equaled the wealth formerly generated by the cattle trade, and Wichita became a trade and milling center. In 1914, the discovery of oil broadened the economic base, drawing numerous services, distributive enterprises and metal-working industries. Wichita was the headquarters of the former Derby Oil Company, which was purchased by Coastal Corporation in 1988.
In the 20th century, aircraft pioneers such as Clyde Cessna, Walter Beech and Bill Lear began projects that would lead to Wichita's establishment as the "Air Capital of the World." In 1917, the Cessna Comet was the first airplane that was manufactured in Wichita. Cessna and Beechcraft remain based in Wichita today, along with Learjet and Spirit Aerosystems. Airbus maintains a workforce in Wichita. Since the growth of the aircraft industry began during the inter-war years, Wichita has been a leading producer of general aviation and commercial aircraft. McConnell Air Force Base was activated in 1951 and has remained an important factor in the community.
Also, Wichita has long been known as a center of entrepreneurship.
In addition to aircraft pioneers, Fred Koch founded Koch Industries in Wichita, and Dan and Frank Carney founded Pizza Hut. Coleman, Freddy's Frozen Custard, and many other successful companies began in Wichita.
After a great day of roaming, shopping and eating...
Funny decal for Road Runner Fans! 😂
Lunch...
Supper...
Then I landed at the Howard Johnson's Hotel for a nice cool evening of rest.
Further Updates Tomorrow...
Nana
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