Kingman County: Prairie, Waterways and History

Most of Kingman County consists of prairie. The rivers give the county a clear north–south orientation: the South Fork of the Ninnescah River runs through the northern part, while the Chikaskia River crosses the south. This makes it possible to distinguish two river courses in different parts of the county.

Prairie and Waterways

Cheney Lake touches the northeastern corner of Kingman County; Kingman State Lake is near Calista in the center. The Byron Walker Wildlife Area is also located in the center. Fishing for largemouth bass, sunfish, redear sunfish, pike, and channel catfish is possible at Kingman State Fishing Lake. Fish populations and regulations can change, so check the current rules before fishing. A broader regional connection can be seen in the Cheney Wildlife Area watershed: it encompasses parts of five counties—Kingman, Reno, Stafford, Pratt, and Sedgwick.

Buildings and History

The area's history can also be read in its varied buildings. The Kingman County Historical Museum is housed in an 1888 building that served as a fire station, jail, and city hall. The Kingman Carnegie Library is located in a three-story 1914 building in the neoclassical style. The Kingman County Courthouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places; the First National Bank Building is listed on the State Register. The Furry Homestead was built from local red sandstone. These examples connect buildings with different functions and materials and offer points of interest if you are interested in architecture and local history.

Kingman: Main Street, Murals, and Aviation

Kingman's Main Street is easy to explore on foot. Six buildings along the street are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and another is listed on the State Register. You can discover seven murals in the city center; the theater there is 100 years old and was designed by the Boller Brothers. Clyde Cessna Field in Kingman also represents a theme in aviation history: the site is described as the birthplace of the Cessna 172 Skyhawk. Local topics thus range from the historic townscape to aviation.

Events, Golf, and Market

The Kingman Expo Center hosts horse shows, horse sales, and rodeos. Its indoor arena has seating for 1,000 people. The Eagles Pub & Golf Course has a 9-hole, par-36 course. The Kingman Farmers Market @ The Binyard takes place in downtown Kingman at the corner of East Sherman Street and North Main Street. Its market season runs from the first Saturday in June through the last Saturday in October. Event dates, as well as course and capacity details, can change; check them if you are planning your visit around them.

Discover more destinations: Cunningham, Wilson, Stevens County, Cherokee County, Neosho County, Anderson, Scott County, Leavenworth County.

For the broader travel overview: Kansas.