Kansas Cities: Wamego

By Brenden Allen

Friday, October 30, 2009

City: Wamego

Nickname: Queen City of The Kaw

County: Pottawatomie

Location: Northeast Kansas

Distance from Lawrence: 71.7 miles or about 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Founded: 1866

Population (2000 Census): 4,246

Destinations: Wamego is home to the Oz Museum, referred to as “one of the largest private collections of Oz memorabilia in the world.” The museum contains items from both the 1939 film “The Wizard of Oz” and the children’s story, “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz”, written by Frank L. Baum. The Old Dutch Mill stands in the Wamego City Park. John B. Schonhoff, a Dutch immigrant, built the authentic stone mill in the 1870s. Recently renovated, the mill still grinds wheat into flour.

Interesting Fact: Wamego is the birthplace of Walter P. Chrysler, the founder of the Chrysler Corporation. His boyhood home still remains standing as a memorial.

What was your favorite part about growing up in Wamego?

Kimberly Lopez, freshman: “I miss going to a school small enough where I knew everyone’s name.”

Kris Velasco, freshman: “I loved living and working in the wonderful land of Oz.”

Jordan Jacobson, junior: “It has its own personality. It’s not your typical small town.”

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