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Chanute, Kansas

Chanute, Kansas

Chanute owes its name and existence to a track-laying race between the Leavenworth, Lawrence, and Galveston (LL&G) and the Missouri, Kansas, and Texas (KATY) railroads in the early 1870's. At the junction where the two lines crossed, town promoters planned three towns: Tioga, New Chicago, and Chicago Junction. The two railroad rivals schemed and fought for dominance. Finally, after two years, rivalry-weary leaders cooperated to plat a fourth town, Alliance. This solution failed, so in 1873, they agreed to consolidate all the towns and call the conglomerate Chanute after Octave Chanute, the LL&G chief civil engineer who later became a pioneer aeronautical engineer. Known as the "Father of Aviation", Octave built the "Chanute Glider" which was an invaluable aid to the art of flying. It is given without remuneration that he made the success of the Wright brothers possible. He died in 1911 before the science of flying had made anything like its present success. A recognized authority in England and Canada in civil engineering, his life's aim was to see air transportation an accomplished fact.

Osa Johnson, the explorer, was born in Chanute; the Martin and Osa Johnson Safari Museum containing photographs and artifacts is located here.

Attractions and Upcoming Events

Highland Park

Stop and relax at Highland Park while you are enjoying your stay in Chanute. Recreational opportunities include fishing, picnicing with a shelter, a playground, and tennis.

Chanute, KS Recreation

Martin & Osa Johnson Safari Museum

Located in the beautifully restored Santa Fe depot, this unique attraction preserves the work of these famous wildlife photographers whose cameras introduced the exotic treasures of Africa and the South Pacific to many Americans in the early 1900

Chanute, KS Museums

Memorial Auditorium

If your interests are music or theatre, Chanute's Memorial Auditorium recently underwent a series of major improvements, making it one of the finest facilities of its kind in Kansas. The 1,200

Chanute, KS Arts

Historic Homes Tour

Discover Chanute's rich historical heritage. Explore tree-lined streets made of hand-laid brick and note the architectural and cultural significance of many of Chanute's historic downtown buildings and elegant homes. A printed brochure of 24 sites dating mostly from 1890 to 1907

Chanute, KS Tours

Chanute Art Gallery

The Chanute Art Gallery houses over 1,700 square feet of outstanding art and sculpture pieces. The gallery owns a permanent core collection of over 500 works of art which includes 25 mediums, representing 125

Chanute, KS Arts

Things to do near Chanute, KS

Thayer Friday Reading Club City Library

Library hours are: Monday 10:00-12:00 & 2:00-5:00 Tuesday 2:00-5:00 Wednesday 2:00-5:00 Thursday 10:00-12:00 & 2:00-5:00 Satu...

Garnett Country Club and Golf Course

The Garnett Golf Course in the North Lake area, offers a truly lovely nine-hole course where green fees are low and tee-time ...

John Redmond Lake Fishing Reports

WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT ACCURATE FISHING REPORTS: This is just to remind you that fishing reports are given with the bes...

Historic Court House Square

The current courthouse was built in 1922 and boasts beautiful Italian marble on the inside. Deer Statue, located at the so...