My husband and I were both born and raised right here in Wichita — well, he’ll remind you he grew up in Andover, but that’s close enough in my book. We truly love this city, and that’s why I always enjoy sharing fun facts about our hometown. Wichita has such a rich history, quirky stories, and impressive accomplishments.
I love being the Wichita on the Cheap lady, and my goal has always been simple: to help you stay in the know about what’s happening around town with our Community Calendar and find the best ways to live the good life for less. Life is expensive, and as a mom who loves being active with my daughters, I know how important it is to be smart about spending. That’s exactly why I share the deals, events, and fun finds I come across so families can enjoy Wichita without stretching their budgets.
Wichita, Kansas Fun Facts
• Wichita is the largest city in Kansas.
With a population of over 390,000, it holds the top spot in the state.
• Pizza Hut and White Castle both started here.
Pizza Hut was founded in 1958 by two Wichita State students with $600 borrowed from their mom. You can visit the original building on campus at the Pizza Hut Museum and it’s free.
White Castle was also co-founded in Wichita in 1921, helping launch the modern fast-food burger concept.
• The first public performance of an electric guitar happened here.
In 1932, musician Gage Brewer played one at the building that is now The Spice Merchant & Co in Old Town. That performance helped introduce the electric guitar to the world.
• Wichita has serious food and recreation numbers.
The city has roughly:
– 1,200+ restaurants
– 140+ parks
– 100+ miles of bike and walking paths
– 20+ live theaters
– Nearly 20 museums
– 30+ art galleries
– 10+ local breweries
– 20+ food trucks
– 3 major universities
For a Midwest city, that’s a lot of options.
• Before the O.K. Corral, Wyatt Earp worked in Wichita. Wyatt Earp served as a Wichita city policeman before gaining national fame.
• Local dishes that define Wichita – Just my personal thoughts. Let me know yours in the comments so I can add.
– Old Mill Tasty Shop chicken salad
– The Famous #8 at The Artichoke Sandwichbar
– Breakfast burritos from Doo-Dah Diner
– Tony pasta (to-go only) from Marchello’s Restaurant
– Big Shell Mac & Cheese at River City Brewing Co.
– Bacon Crack appetizer at Norton’s Brewing Company
– Pad Thai from Thai Traditions
• Wichita once ranked in the Top 10 Best-Value Cities in the U.S.
In 2011, it ranked 8th for best value, and it has consistently been recognized for affordability and small-business vitality.
• Wichita has four sister cities.
Cancún, México; Orléans, Francia; Kaifeng, China; y Tlalnepantla de Baz, México.
You can see a nod to Kaifeng at Botanica, The Wichita Gardens, which features a Chinese Garden of Friendship.
• Carry Nation made headlines here.
On December 27, 1900, prohibition activist Carry Nation stormed the Eaton Hotel bar in Wichita and smashed it up with a hatchet. There is now a sculpture honoring her downtown outside the Workroom.
• Billy the Kid has a Wichita connection.
Before becoming famous, Henry McCarty (aka Billy the Kid) lived in Wichita briefly with his mother in 1870. His mother was one of only a few women to sign the petition to incorporate Wichita.
• We are the “Air Capital of the World.”
More than 35% of general aviation aircraft are produced here. Aviation giants like Textron Aviation (Cessna and Beechcraft) helped earn Wichita that title.
• The Keeper of the Plains stands 44 feet tall.
Keeper of the Plains is Wichita’s most recognizable landmark and lights up with the Ring of Fire along the Arkansas River.
• The Sedgwick County Zoo is one of the largest in the country.
Sedgwick County Zoo is among the largest zoos in the United States by acreage and animal population.
• Wichita weather in a nutshell.
Average annual rainfall: about 28 inches
Average annual snowfall: about 15 inches
Coldest month: January
Hottest month: July
• The Arkansas River is pronounced “Ar-KAN-sas” here.
Unlike in Arkansas, locals pronounce the river differently. It’s one of those subtle things that immediately tells you who’s from here.
Local Gems in Wichita
Here is a list of some places that make Wichita so special. This is my list of local places that make us unique.
Famous People from Wichita
Wichita has produced some seriously recognizable names across entertainment, politics, sports, and business. Here are 10 of the most famous people connected to the 316:
• Kirstie Alley
Emmy-winning actress best known for her roles in Cheers and Look Who’s Talking. She was born in Wichita and often spoke proudly of her Kansas roots.
• Don Johnson
Actor and producer best known for Miami Vice. He was born in Missouri but raised in Wichita.
• Hattie McDaniel
Academy Award–winning actress (Gone with the Wind) who spent part of her childhood in Wichita.
• Barry Sanders
While best known for his time at Oklahoma State and with the Detroit Lions, Sanders was born in Wichita.
• Lynette Woodard
Basketball legend, Olympic gold medalist, and the first woman to play for the Harlem Globetrotters. She was born in Wichita.
• Walter Chrysler
Founder of Chrysler Corporation. He grew up in Kansas and worked in the Wichita area during his early railroad career.
• Clyde Cessna
Founder of Cessna Aircraft Company, helping earn Wichita the title “Air Capital of the World.”
• Wayne Coyne
Lead singer of The Flaming Lips. He was born in Pittsburgh but raised in Wichita.
• Dennis Rader
Known as the BTK killer. Included here for notoriety, though certainly not pride.
• Melissa Etheridge
Grammy-winning rock musician. While she is most associated with Leavenworth, she has Kansas roots and ties to the state’s music scene.
My Top Free Things to Do:
PLAY Kids Craft Area at Wichita Art Museum
Bingo on Sunday at Chicken N Pickle
Summer Only:
Wichita might surprise people who only know it for aviation. Between Wild West history, electric guitar debuts, Prohibition-era drama, the origins of world-famous fast food, and more than a thousand restaurants, the 316 has layers. That’s what makes it fun to celebrate.
4 Responses
I am so proud of our “Keeper of the Plains” and Sedgwick County Zoo! What we really need is a fabulous Aquarium in Wichita!!!
Agree, that would be awesome!
Love this but just do a good spellcheck before publishing.
Will do, thanks!