WaKeeney

Maintaining a reputation of a community with pride, WaKeeney is a small Kansas town in Trego County with natural beauty and local hospitality.

WaKeeney was founded in 1789 by a grandson of Iowa pioneers, Rev. Jonathan Anthony Keeney and Wife Mary Hannah McGlothlen. Actually, the grandson had a partner in the founding of WaKeeney. The grandson was 33 year old Chicago real estate developer, James Franklin Keeney and his partner-friend was Albert Warren. As you can see, the city name, WaKeeney, was formed by combining their surnames, which made up their partnership name of Warren-Keeney. The Warren-Keeney land development company architect provided the layout of the original WaKeeney city street plans.

Summertime finds WaKeeney an enjoyable place to stay. With the hustle and bustle of Trego County fair, fairgoers find time for recreation including our free tennis courts, softball diamonds, municipal swimming pool, horse shows, car races at WaKeeney Speedway or a round of golf at the finest grass green golf course in Western Kansas with club and cart rentals for visitors.

Arriving in this small community with a population of 2,300 you will find the modern facilities like those of Metropolitan cities but will appreciate WaKeeney’s proud past at the Historical Society Museum. You’ll learn the city’s founding and how it became the town that time forgot.

Take the long way.

The best parts of the trip are usually the ones you didn't plan.

Butterfield Overland Despatch Trail

Stone markers can be seen where this trail crosses the north-south country roads. The Butterfield Overland Despatch followed the route of the old Smoky Hill trail from Atchison to Denver.…

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Things to Do in WaKeeney

Iwo Jima Memorial

The Iwo Jima Memorial has become a popular attraction for people visiting the WaKeeney area.…

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Take the long way.

The best parts of the trip are usually the ones you didn't plan.

80 Foot Wide Brick Streets

Take a walk along the 80 foot wide brick streets of downtown. WaKeeney was founded…

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Keep moving.

Even slow progress opens up new places and perspectives.

Elk Dreamer Art Gallery

The newest attraction to Wakeeney features southwest art prints and sculptures.

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Go a little further.

The next turn is often where things start to get interesting.

Big Creek Golf Course

Big Creek Golf Course is one of the nicest 9 hole, grass green golf courses…

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Keep moving.

Even slow progress opens up new places and perspectives.

Threshing Machine Canyon

In 1867, a party of travelers were transporting three threshing machines belonging to Brigham Young…

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Emanuel Lutheran Church

The Emanuel Lutheran Church was constructed in 1902 of native limestone quarried near Threshing Machine…

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Not every place needs a reason.

Sometimes it's enough just to be there.

Old Fashioned Soda Fountains

Wakeeney has the distinction of having two old- fashioned soda fountains on Main Street. Be…

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Outdoor Recreation

Outdoor recreational opportunites abound around WaKeeney. The town is located in an area offering some…

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