25 Interesting Facts About Kansas You Did Not Know

As home inspectors in Wichita, Kansas, our employees here at Hoffman Home Inspections regularly see some pretty weird stuff throughout the course of our days. That is why we thought that it would be fun and interesting to provide our clients with some of the weirdest facts about our state. Read on to learn more about the following 25 things that you did not know about Kansas.

1) Kansas Is The Home of The Real Windy City

Dodge City, Kansas may not be known as THE Windy City but with an average wind speed that clocks in at 14 miles per hour? It is actually the windiest city in the entirety of the United States.

2) Kansas Really Is Pancake Flat

The topography of Kansas was compared to the topography of an IHOP pancake and the similarities were simply too great to be ignored.

3) There’s a Grasshopper Church

The First United Methodist Church is located in Hutchinson. Because it was constructed during the grasshopper plague, there are a number of them mixed into the foundation.

4) There Are More People Than You Think

When the census was taken in 2010, Kansas was found to have nearly 3 million citizens.

5) It Played a Major Role In The Civil War

More Civil War casualties took place here than in any other state of the Union.

6) Fort Riley Protected Settlers

Those who journeyed to the Oregon and Santa Fe Trails received protection at Fort Riley.

7) Kansas Got Its Name From Native Americans

Kansas is believed to be named after a Native American tribe whose name means “people of the wind”.

8) The Official State Bug Is…

The honeybee!

9) And The Official State Reptile Is….

The ornate box turtle! (Yes, Kansas has its own state reptile and we are just as surprised as you are.)

10) White Castle Started Here

White Castle is the very first hamburger chain to be started in the United States and it began in Wichita, Kansas. Interestingly enough, there are no White Castles currently open in the whole state.

11) There’s a LOT of Wheat

The amount of wheat grown here each year would stretch all the way to the Pacific Ocean from western Kansas.

12) Farmland Is Very Plentiful

There is a stereotype about Kansas consisting entirely of farms. Over 88 percent of the available land can be used for farming….so there is a lot of truth to that.

13) Chickens Have Not Always Been Safe

Can you believe that there was a tornado in 1928 that was actually strong enough to forcibly remove the feathers from Kansas chickens?

14) There Are Over 500 Caves Here

At last count, there were a whopping 528 caves located within the state lines of Kansas. This is a number that is slated to rise in the years to come.

15) Home of The First EF5 Tornado

95 percent of Greensburg was destroyed as a result of this tornado’s wrath.

16) Home of the First Airplane Factory

Wichita was home to the first airplane factory in the United States.

17) Dwight D. Eisenhower Is From Kansas

The nation’s 34th president actually hails from the town of Abilene.

18) Holy Hailstone!

Coffeyville once experienced a hailstorm so horrific, a stone that weighed a pound and a half was discovered after the fact. Talk about the home maintenance that was needed after that!

19) Kansas City Sports Matter

While some might wonder why Kansas residents root for Missouri teams, the Chiefs and Royals are unofficial members of the state. It is all in the name.

20) Even the License Plates Are Beautiful

So beautiful that Kansas won an award for their state design in 1981.

21) The Largest Gas Field Is Here

Hugoton Gas Field covers an area that is five times larger than all of Rhode Island.

22) Topeka Has A Strange Law

Do not sing the alphabet while wandering the Topeka streets at night.

23) Rabbits Cannot Be Shot From a Motorboat

We are unsure when this would come into play but it is still good to know.

24) Mules Cannot Be Used For Duck Hunting

All of the would be duck hunters are disappointed, we’re sure.

25) The Helicopter Was Invented Here

Charles Wilson and William Purvis came up with this brainchild 109 years ago.

As odd as these facts are, we still think Kansas is a great place to call home. For more information on how we can help you with your home inspection, give us a call. We’re happy to help!