Home on the Range with Kansas US Hwy 281

Where seldom is heard a discouraging word, And the sky is not cloudy all day. "Home on the Range" was written around these parts. Out here on the Great Plains we are exploring North-Central Kansas, about 150 miles Northwest of Wichita. Just South of the Nebraska State line, Smith Center to Osborne on US Highway 281.

"Home on the Range" the state song of Kansas. By Dr. Brewster M. Higley wrote the words in a poem called "My Western Home" originally, in the early 1870s. Higley's first words are similar to those of the song today but not identical. The song was adopted by settlers, cowboys, and others and spread across the USA in various forms. The poem was first published in a December 1873 issue of the Smith County Pioneer under the title "Oh, Give Me a Home Where the Buffalo Roam." Source: Wikipedia®.

The Higley Cabin homestead of Dr. Brester M. Higley. Located 8 miles west of Smith Center and 8 miles north, then one half mile west.

Smith Center, KS. Population +/- 1700. Smith Center area was considered the Geographic Center of the United States until the admission of Alaska and Hawaii into the union. One of the nice surprises of traveling the road less traveled is finding interesting architecture. The First National Bank Building -1889 is one of those. A prominent Victoria Romanesque building on Main Street in Smith Center. The "Ingleboro Mansion" built by a banker J. R. Burrow, in 1889 is another nice surprise.Over at Wagner Park on East Third Street is the Old Dutch Mill built in 1879, with picnic areas, playground and restrooms. Smith Center Municipal Golf Course, 9 holes with driving range. Located 3-1/2 miles south of town on Hwy. 281.

Little Miss Liberty stands high on a hill 10 miles south of Smith Center on US-281, there's a little park with a copy of the Statue of Liberty.

Discover Smith Center, KS. Website:

Osborne, KS, population +/-1,500. A Pennsylvania Colony founded the town of Osborne City in 1871. Lots to see and do in Osborne. Kids and adults alike can enjoy; Hardman Park and City Park, swimming pool, picnics, tennis, basketball, stroll or bike along the river, there are two 9-hole golf courses along with a gun club. The historic County Courthouse is a great building to see, built in 1908, ery ornate, check out the carvings. The Carnegie Research Library, built in 1912 one of the 59 public libraries Andrew Carnegie helped to construct in this state. Osborne County Website:

Also in this area of Kansas a short jaunt off US Hwy 281 East and West we have many outdoor recreational opportunities. Waconda Lake, Glen Elder Dam, State Park & Wildlife Area comprise one of Kansas' most scenic and popular outdoor attractions. Located in North-Central Kansas in the heart of the Solomon River Valley. Waconda Lake Community Website:

Glen Elder State Park with its rural setting is a perfect place to relax. Modern restroom/shower buildings are open in Sioux/Kaw, Kanza, and Cheyenne campgrounds from mid March through October. A full service marina provides fuel, boat and slip rental, boating, fishing and camping supplies.

Glen Elder State Park Website:

Kirwin National Wildlife Refuge, 10,778 acres located in the rolling hills and narrow valley of the north fork of the Solomon River in north-central Kansas. Spring and fall are the best times to visit to view migrating waterfowl, shorebirds and song birds. The Refuge also offers fishing opportunities for crappie, walleye and catfish. Areas are open to hunting, all the necessary stamps and/or permits as required by Federal and State laws.