Kansas, the Sunflower State, is the fourteenth largest state in the nation and the second largest of the midwestern states. Although not known today for its roaming buffalo, Kansas' colorful history includes a rich Native American heritage, violent conflicts over slavery (which earned it the nickname 'Bleeding Kansas'), and the Wild West days of Dodge City and Wyatt Earp. This heritage is visible in the state's many historic towns and sites, and is celebrated in endless annual festivals.

Kansas, the leading wheat producer in the country, has also been nicknamed America's Breadbasket. Its undulating plains are covered with a golden carpet of wheat fields. Its cities have been enhanced by tree-lined streets and parks and offer an array of cultural riches. The many lakes, rivers and state parks that dot the state are ideal settings for recreational pursuits like camping, swimming, fishing and boating.

The popular image of Kansas, fostered by Little House on the Prairie, the Wizard of Oz and countless cowboy films does not really reflect the variety of historical, cultural and recreational attractions that draw visitors to the state. Set your preconceptions aside and come and see for yourself.

Hillsdale Lake provides hunters, fisherman, picnickers, naturalists, photographers, birdwatchers, and sightseers with a unique opportunity to discover nature. Hunters will find a variety of game on Hillsdale's 8,000 acres of land. For the fisherman, more than 70 percent of the timber was left for fish habitat when the lake was filled. Walleye, catfish, largemouth bass, crappie, and bluegill are abundant.

Discover Ottawa County at its best through the self-guided Red Post Tours. Pick up the guide at the Chamber office and follow the Red Posts—there's one at every turn on each of four tours. Drive the Natural Prairie Tour too, and see one of Kansas' first state fishing lakes, a town that refused to vanish, two that did, farms, and a buffalo ranch with a fifty ton hilltop buffalo. Old barns, miles of stone fences, and open spaces are some of the highlights. You will see the most scenic valleys and rolling hills there are in the heart of America, and you’ll understand why the homesteaders fell in love with Ottawa County.

Kansas City's Westport area is a colorful tapestry of unique restaurants, charming boutiques and hot nightspots interwoven with remnants of the area's historical past. Visitors can choose between two tours pertaining to Westport and its heritage. One tour, the Battle of Westport tour, is a driving tour that incorporates 23 markers/monuments symbolizing the historic battle throughout the area. The tour begins at a marker located in the northeast corner of Westport Road and Pennsylvania. The other tour, a walking tour of the town of Westport, begins at the crossroads of Main and Westport Road and heads west down the historic, scenic blocks of Westport Road.

Deeded to the Board of Park Commissioners in 1927 by Mrs. Ella Clark Loose, Loose Memorial Park stands as a memorial to Ella's husband, Jacob Leander Loose, a philanthropist active in Kansas City's social and cultural circles. Today, a realistic, eight-foot-high bronze statue of Jacob Loose sets on a tiered pedestal in the northeast corner of the park. This beautiful, 74-acre park attracts visitors with the fragrant Laura Conyers Smith Municipal Rose Garden, a scenic walking path and cool, relaxing wading pool. In addition, a small lake, which underwent restoration in 1993, inhabits the architecturally landscaped grounds, along with a tranquil lily pond and duck island. Although the park does not contain athletic fields, as deeded by Mrs. Loose, the park offers picnic areas, playgrounds and a peaceful retreat into nature.

Penn Valley Park is home to the Liberty Memorial and its World War I Museum; this 176-acre park holds great historical significance. Developed in 1904, on land through which the Santa Fe Trail had passed, the grounds are home to commemorative statues such as The Scout, the Pioneer Mother Memorial and The Hiker. The park is also home to a 3.08-acre lake, providing an excellent retreat for a quiet day of fishing. With a fitness trail, tennis courts and ball fields, Penn Valley Park provides recreation for the whole family.

Shawnee Mission Park was dedicated in 1964. The 1,250-acre park is a virtual mecca for sporting and nature enthusiasts. Located at 7900 Renner Road, Shawnee Mission, Kansas, Shawnee Mission Park is home to a scenic 150-acre lake, excellent for canoeing, sailing and fishing. Visitors can rent canoes and fishing and pedal boats. In addition, the park offers horseback and nature trails, an archery range, a swimming beach, a visitor’s center, marina and an outdoor theater where lively summer productions are held. This is a great area for letting dogs off of their leashes, kite flying and family picnics. As a popular birding spot, Shawnee Mission Park offers a very good network of trails where watchers can view bluebirds, hawks, Canada geese, sparrows and other woodland species.

Not far from Kansas City, Wyandotte County Lake Park also offers a remote, serene refuge for recreation enthusiasts. Constructed in 1935, the park's 1,500 acres include a 330-acre lake with a marina, boat rentals, and a lakeside boathouse designed by the National Park Service. Picnic shelters, tennis courts and horseback trails are scattered throughout the beautiful rolling, wooded hills. The Pierson Community Center is also located inside the park area, and offers activities for children and adults alike. In addition, the park has been noted by the Burrough's Audubon Society as a particularly nice spot for birding in the fall and winter, as watchers are likely to see gulls, waterfowl, sparrows, eagles and other raptors.

A prime lake for fishing, Lake Olathe is located at 625 Lakeshore Drive, Olathe, Kansas. Fishing enthusiasts flock to the 170-acre lake in search of catfish, crappie, bass and even trout. The area near the fishing pier is a favorite casting spot, as it is sown annually with Christmas trees, providing new cover and nesting areas for schools of fish.

Established in 1827, Fort Leavenworth is the oldest Army fort in continuous operation west of the Mississippi River. Branches of the Oregon and Santa Fe trails traverse the fort. Some of the highlights of the fort include the National Cemetery, Command and General Staff College, Memorial Chapel, Main Post Chapel, and many historic buildings. Among these is the Rookery, which is the oldest residence in Kansas. Also notable are the old canons overlooking the beautiful scenery and view of the Missouri River from the bluffs.

Nicodemus National Historic Site preserves, protects and interprets the only remaining western town established by African Americans during the Reconstruction Period following the Civil War. The town of Nicodemus is symbolic of the pioneer spirit of African-Americans who dared to leave the only region they had been familiar with to seek personal freedom and the opportunity to develop their talents and capabilities.

Fort Larned was established in 1859. It was used as a military base against hostile Indians of the Central Plains, to protect traffic along the Santa Fe Trail, and as an agency for the administration of the Central Plains Indians by the Bureau of Indian Affairs under the terms of the Fort Wise Treaty of 1861. With nine restored buildings, it survives as one of the best examples of Indian Wars period forts. Most of the buildings, including barracks, commissary, officers quarters and more, are furnished to their original appearance. Fort Larned National Historic Site takes visitors back to this turbulent era in our nation's history.

The thirty-one year span of history interpreted at Fort Scott National Historic Site is perhaps the most significant era of our nation's history. Fort Scott witnessed a decade of rapid westward expansion followed by civil strife and unrest that brought about our nation's deadliest conflict. Fort Scott National Historic Site consists of 20 historic structures, a parade ground and five acres of restored tallgrass prairie. The architectural style of the buildings is French Colonial with Greek Revival elements. The exteriors of the buildings are restored to their 1840s appearance.

The Mid America Air Museum boasts the fifth largest collection of military and civilian aircraft in the United States. The museum is more than just aircraft. It houses one of the country's finest "hands-on" aviation science exhibits, hosts special events like its Liberal Air Show, and features aerospace education to students in its theater.

Area: 82282 sq.mi, Land 81823 sq. mi., Water 459 sq.mi.

State Capital: Topeka.

Population: 2,654,052.

Largest Cities: Wichita, Kansas City, Topeka, Overland Park, and Lawrence.

Motto: "Ad astra per aspera" - To the stars through difficulties.

Agriculture: Cattle, wheat, sorghum, soybeans, hogs, corn.

Industry: Transportation equipment, food processing, printing and publishing, chemical products, machinery, apparel, petroleum, mining.

Flag: On a navy blue field is a sunflower, the state flower. Also, the state seal and the words "Kansas". In the picture of the state seal are thirty-four stars representing the order of statehood. Above the stars is the motto "To the Stars Through Difficulties". On the seal a sunrise overshadows a farmer plowing a field near his log cabin, a steamboat sailing the Kansas River, a wagon train heading west and Native Americans hunting bison.

State Bird: Western Meadowlark.

Topography: Hilly Osage plains in the east; central region level prairie and hills; high plains in the west.

State Flower: Helianthus annuus.

State Nickname: Sunflower State.

Origin of state's name: From the Sioux Indian for "south wind people".

State Tree: Cottonwood - Populus deltoides.