Kansas is home to some strangely named little towns with names as distinctive as their names, in addition to its urban hubs and scenic natural areas.
Both locals and tourists have made their mark in Kansas over the years. The area was shaped by the passage of early Native American tribes, Spanish explorers, French fur trappers, and Civil War settlers.
The state’s most unusual town names, each with a backstory that provides a window into the past, reflect this varied past.
Nicodemus
Originally established in 1877 as a haven for emancipated slaves, Nicodemus is the first predominantly black hamlet west of the Mississippi River. The origin of its name is the subject of two stories.
According to one tradition, the town was named after a mythical African slave, while another connects it to the biblical character Nicodemus.
Some descendants of the town’s original settlers still reside in the area, which is now a National Historic Site.
The Nicodemus Historical Society organizes an annual tour called the Ellis Trail Tour, which begins in the town of Ellis and follows the wagon tracks that brought early settlers north to Nicodemus, if you want to delve deeply into the history of Nicodemus.
Along the way, there are historical sites and reenactments, and the tour includes lunch.
Hugoton
In the 1880s, Hugoton’s two founders selected the area that would eventually become the town.
When the settlers discovered that there was a Hugo in Colorado, they quickly changed the name from Hugo, which was originally given in honor of famous French novelist Victor Hugo.
They added a “ton” to the name to prevent confusion, and thus Hugoton was created.
Because to the Hugoton Gas Field, which was the biggest in the nation when it was developed in the 1930s, Hugoton is now referred to as the “natural gas capital of America.”
Learn more about this period of Hugoton’s history at the Stevens County Gas & Historical Museum, which also has exhibits of Indian artifacts, furniture from the early 1900s, and century-old farming implements.
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Liberal
The town of Liberal has a beautiful story behind its name. Homesteader S.S. Rogers established the hamlet in the 1880s as a rest area for tired visitors.
When Rogers would hand these thirsty nomads a cool drink from his own well, they would respond, “That’s mighty liberal of you.”
Liberal was proclaimed the home of Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz in the 1970s.
A visit to Dorothy’s House and the Land of Oz attraction, a family-friendly theme park with a model of the movie’s house and a real yellow brick road, allows moviegoers to relive the Oz magic today.
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La Cygne
This unique town name, which is pronounced la-seen, is derived from an Osage word that means “marsh of the swans” in French.
This charming hamlet is close to the picturesque Frontier Military Historic Byway, which winds through eastern Kansas along a route that was used in the 19th century to move troops and supplies for the Army.
Try hiking around the 2,600-acre La Cygne Lake, boating, fishing, or just having a beautiful picnic by the water at Linn County Park to see some of the frontier’s natural splendor for yourself.
Experience the outdoors in elegance at Sunnye Ridge Farm and Isinglass Vineyard, where you can tour the vineyard, explore the grounds of the stunning estate, partake in a wine tasting, visit their petting zoo, take in some live music, or go horseback riding.
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Strong City
Strong City isn’t actually a city, despite its name. Originally known as Cottonwood Station, the final stop on the Santa Fe Railroad, this small community in the Flint Hills is home to just under 400 people.
In response to a petition from the locals, the name was changed in 1881 to honor Santa Fe Railway System President William Barstow Strong.
Visitors can honor the town’s namesake by visiting W.B. Strong Memorial Railroad Park, which features walking trails, picnic areas, and an authentic Santa Fe caboose on display.
Strong City is well-known for hosting one of the biggest and most established summer rodeos in the nation.
Over 20,000 people attend the small town, which is also well-known for being the location of the Tallgrass Prairie Reserve, for the annual June festival.
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