Exploring the LEAST POPULATED county in Kansas // Greeley County, Kansas // Population 1,284 // Pt 1

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Watch part 2 here! kzbin.info/www/bejne/fKS5oWqvZ8yHhMU

[@martinmcclain3446]

as a Born Kansan now living in Scotland for the past 30+ years, these videos are so fascinating! I have often wondered what life was like in the extreme west of Kansas. Thank you for these and the others that you have done! Keep them coming! Absolutely brilliant!!

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you so much! Great to hear that is translates well across the pond! Scotland is a place I’d love to visit someday!

[@leespear1404]

Thanks for picturing the George L Reid law office in Tribune. I am his great grandson, but have never been out there to see the town or the Reid building, which he constructed himself out of hand-poured concrete blocks. And now it has such a nice new coat of white paint, an extra special treat inside your totally enjoyable video essay. Many thanks for all your researches and for sharing.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

This is great! Thank you for watching and sharing!

[@BrotherKyler]

I’m from southeast Kansas, but pheasant hunt out around Tribune frequently. Being out there miles from civilization; just you, your dogs, the prairie, and wild pheasants, is a surreal and amazing feeling. Thank you for appreciating and showcasing our great state. You’re welcome back any time! 😊

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

That’s awesome! Sounds fun! And thank you very much for the nice comment!

[@chilipeppersalsa7596]

That interesting ride was called " The Bullet". One was at Meadow lake Park in Enid. You didn't want to ride it even when it was in working order. I got in it with my little brother n sister in about eighth grade. The guy pulled the bar down and off it went super fast. No cage on window. My little brother n sister both slipped under the bar. I put my feet on them and pinned them to the bottom. We lived to tell the tale but it was pure horror

[@BenFisher-l5n]

My great grandmother was the post master at the Horace post office. If you ever come back to Greeley County, I’ll show you through the museum. Thanks for the videos.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Awesome - thanks!

[@poisonousunicornreacting2609]

I am a dispatcher in Greeley county and I just wanted to inform you about the fair grounds. They always have a fair every year it’s usually about a week of fun activities and I believe the fair rides go for 3 days. All the rides work and get used (with the exception of if they needs fixed like any other fair lol) but it’s definitely a fun time of the county coming together 😊 9:12

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Good to know about the fairgrounds. Surely the ferris wheel isn’t still in use! But it looks like a fun time for sure - I’d love to attend!

[@poisonousunicornreacting2609]

@@TravelwithaWiseguy oh yea it is one of the most popular! My husband and I actually went on it this last summer. It’s really one of the smoothest rides and gives you a very beautiful view when you get stopped at the top. You should come by this summer and check it out! 😊

[@joyceromero4443]

I lived in both tribune and Horace, I left about 25 yrs ago and came to Washington state.

[@seanirby8838]

Even though I live in Missouri and am thus legally obligated to hate all things Kansas, I'm fascinated to learn more about the state's history. Greeley County's emptiness is starkly beautiful.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

I hope that when I do the same for Missouri, Kansans will feel the same 😊

[@tombillard5264]

@@TravelwithaWiseguy I was gonna ask I saw a video you did about a small town that has a once a month or so Saturday dance night and thought man I wanna can you tell me the name of the town, thanks

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

I’m not sure. I’ve visited a lot of places and sometimes those details get blurry!

[@chadtomlin8260]

There are the old telegraph wires

[@fiatcurrency8135]

Those 'power lines' are telegraph poles. They still serve to transmit train control signals.

[@billiegutierrez2506]

My son was born in Tribune, 46 years ago loved the little town my husband worked on a farm/feedlot farm we were back there 2 years ago the place we lived was long gone so sad. Thanks for the video

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thanks for sharing! I really enjoyed Greeley County and Tribune especially!

[@Quitealways]

Another great video. Western Kansas is not disappointing in history or beauty.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thanks! And you’re definitely right about that! 😊

[@stevemccarty6384]

I spent many years as a child living in Western Kansas. Flat as a pancake! Standing in a wheatfield I was the tallest entity in sight. I farmed with my grandfather out there and loved it. The plains go on forever and the wind, it does blow!

[@sookcook8618]

Harlan Campbell, JR was born, raised, and still resides in Greeley County, KS! He has been the All American Captain/#1 Trapshooter in the USA for several years. There is a sign when you pull in "Home of..."

[@johnc7512]

Those old wires and poles by the railroad tracks may have been old telephone lines or telegraph lines.

[@robchit1]

Yes they were also used for the block signals that the Missouri Pacific RR line used

[@woodly1069]

Kansas fascinates me as I get older. I remember not that long ago that I used it as many do to traverse west and I never really stopped for long to explore. These days it's one of my favorite places, the people are always great and the open spaces are magic! Keep up the great videos man!

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Agreed! Great state to explore around and learn about. So much interesting history for a guy like me who grew up in Ohio! Thank you!!

[@XavierBartholome]

That video brings back memories. Because, believe it or not, but I have spent 10 months there back in ‘92-‘93 as a foreign exchange student all the way from Belgium! 😁😎 It looked way less abandoned back then! 😢

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Interesting! Must’ve been quite the culture shock! Thanks for the comment!

[@andreanuss666]

All the rides still work at the fair. We have it every year and it’s all volunteer ran

[@artgirten7818]

I like that you also enjoy finding barking dogs, in otherwise quiet or even abandoned places! Tribune KS is also the last (or first) town in KS along the Transamerican "Bikecentennial" bicycle route, started in 1976. The black and white signs that show a bicycle with the number 76, identify the bike route. 43 years ago I rode my bicycle thru Tribune (and across all of central KS) on my way West. My enjoyment of KS is more subtle than the mountains. Great work John! I look forward to seeing each of your video adventures!

[@novemberecho3807]

Love that tumbleweed boppin down the middle of the street.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Me too! Thought it was a good way to end the video 😊

[@kristaseyler654]

Another great state I need to see more of Kansas !! Such an underrated place !!

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

We agree! 😊

[@kristaseyler654]

@@TravelwithaWiseguy last week we had temps near 90 and today it's 30 and snowing in Wisconsin omg I need to go south today lol 😆

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

😂😂😂

[@kristaseyler654]

@@TravelwithaWiseguy I'm so ticked off I'm over it 😒

[@perseusguy]

Excellent as always. I think now I can appreciate why a friend of mine liked to say, "flatter than the state of Kansas!"

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you!! 😊

[@jamesbednar8625]

Awesome videos of Greeley County, KS!!! Last time I was out that way was about 2017. I spent a few days at the motel and went exploring the area. Back then I had standard (stick shift) transmission in my pick-up truck. Transmission started to act funny so cut my trip short and crept my way back slowly to Geary County, KS, before somewhere catastrophic happened to the transmission. Eventually made it home and the transmission lasted about another 8-months or so before blowing out up in Lincoln, NE. Anyway, I need to get back out that and just get lost in all that emptiness of western Kansas. Also, you were not very far from Mount Sunflower - the highest elevation point in Kansas, great site!!

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you very much! Sounds like you had an adventure! And yes it’s on my list to see someday!!

[@mzsullifane]

Best fair Ever!!!❤❤❤❤❤ yes the Ferris Wheel and rollar coaster are the best❤

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

😊

[@brendacejda7069]

There used to be a great little cafe in Horace - served a delicious steak. I ate breakfast there often with my Grandfather. Sure miss places like that! Loved your video!

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you! I didn’t see any businesses left in Horace, except for agricultural. Interesting place to visit!

[@brendacejda7069]

Pretty sure it's a thing of the past. I drove over a couple of years ago to see if it was still open and it was not. If you ever have time for dinner and you're around Bird City, stop at Big Ed's. Really great food! People come from Denver and the front range to eat there!

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thanks for the heads up!

[@ronfullerton3162]

Over in eastern Iowa, we had many of those special little out of the way eateries along rivers and in the woodlands along the rivers. I have been away for over thirty years now, and I have heard of some closing because of the buildings giving up and other infrastructure fing away. I have not been over to see what the bad floods have done to others that remained. I know much was destroyed during those floods. Those out of the way spots were always so special in many ways.

[@brendacejda7069]

@@ronfullerton3162 For those of us fortunate enough to experience businesses of yesteryear, those will remain as very fond memories indeed!

[@SylveonGamerJake]

I live in Southwest Kansas in a small town as well (roughly 400-500 more people than Tribune). I haven’t been there much as it’s roughly 2 or more hours away I think, and they are just outside of our sports league, but that’s really neat to learn about their history!

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Nice! I'm fascinated with these areas. I grew up in a small town area as well, playing sports against teams from far away so I know what you're saying!

[@onrycodger]

Cool 😎 I'm certainly glad I ran across your channel. I highly enjoy it! Thanks 👍

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thanks so much! I appreciate it!

[@hungarysammy]

Super interedting! Talk about wide open spaces!😁 I kinda like Tribune! And all those abandoned homes intrigue me....would love to know the story behind each one! Loved the train station! And the guard dogs!😊 Great video!!

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you! I agree - very interesting! Part 2 will be even more wide open!

[@brucesmith9144]

Really cool. Perhaps one day will get a chance to visit western Kansas. Looks like lots of “handyman’s specials” in Horace and Tribune.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

It’s very unique and well worth a visit in my opinion!

[@terriquotskuyva4594]

Love the way you make Kansas an interesting state to explore! Never been but would like to visit someday 😊

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you very much! Definitely lots of interesting places to explore if you ever make it!

[@lifewithjosef]

6:56 Looks like a truck scale and scale house. I've been in a few of these in California. 15:34 A goodest bestest boi!

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Good info! And he was!! 😊

[@ronfullerton3162]

That look into the scale house office was like looking back into most any grain or coop office across the Midwest back in the day. Ah, memories!

[@335jayr]

Haven't been to tribune in decades sure was a great town to live. I still remember the good days. Thank you for sharing.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Very interesting area to visit for me! I enjoyed it!

[@buckeyeguy82]

Cool video! Since I’ve been following I’ve learned a lot about Kansas & have been enjoying it. The tumbleweed at the end was awesome!

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Awesome! Thank you! It was a nice ending to the video haha

[@Mrpanther555]

The old "power lines" along the track were telegraph lines the RR used

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Ok that makes sense! Thank you!

[@jeffsmith846]

I moved to Kansas three years ago, a suburb on the Kansas side of Kansas City. I find Kansas to be fascinating. The Flint Hills are just bazaar (including the Bazaar cattle crossing on the turnpike). It is a cool state. My son in law is from SW Kansas in the city of Pratt. Spent two Christmas holidays there about 8 years ago. They lived in the country in the center of a wheat farm. I went for a short walk one day and it was surreal with nothing but stubble in the fields for as far as you could see. It was like lading on another planet. As in your video, the wind was relentless with nothing for miles to slow it down.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Love your description of Kansas - very accurate! It’s a very interesting state to learn about and travel around. I really love living here!

[@stevemccarty6384]

My maternal grandfather, J.E. Birney was born in Pratt, Kansas in 1900. He lived and farmed in Kansas until he passed in 1987. I was his helper for years and drove his tractor. Maybe the best years of my life. Can I have those years back? Please.

[@jeffsmith846]

@@stevemccarty6384 You have great memories which is really important. My maternal grandmother lived next door from the time I was 5 years old. She was born in 1888 so she spent her mid life during the Great Depression and dust bowl of Oklahoma. I cherish those memories of being around her during my childhood. I am so lucky compared to all the other grandkids who only saw her a few times a year.

[@gh2687]

❤ great video John. Thanks for taking the time to share your travels

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you very much! 😊

[@FixIt1975]

Very cool. I found it odd that there was a scale, seemingly out in the middle of nowhere in the beginning of the video

[@RogerHolder-df4dq]

I really like watching you doing videos my sister lives in Wichita Kansas

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you very much!

[@sueelliott3206]

Talk about windy, today we have 35 mph winds with about 45 mph gusts. You gotta love spring and fall in the plains. Really enjoy the video, TFS

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

I was in Lawrence this weekend and it was crazy windy too. I think it was everywhere!

[@juliogonzales5441]

Nice towns.....thanks

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thanks!

[@robchit1]

The former MP train depot there in Horace was used by the current owner Kansas & Oklahoma RR, but they moved out a few years ago

[@sterlingodeaghaidh5086]

It never was used by them, not the building directly, that place has been derelect for decades. K&O has their waystop in Scott City.

[@peterselten500]

Hi john thanks for the tour an people only think big cities are imteresting its my kinda place . Cheers mate 🇦🇺

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thanks Peter! Big cities have their history, but I love finding the hidden gems in the “middle of nowhere” 😊

[@stevehilliard1495]

Nice work my friend, I lived in Tribune one summer. Good to see they haven’t run out of wind and thistles😂

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you Steve! Tribune seemed like a really nice little town!

[@shirleybalinski4535]

Home is where your heart is.

[@denisesmith2745]

Are you from Kansas? I’m from Larned and wondered where you are from. I’m in Ft Worth now so seeing your Kansas videos mean so much to me. Thank you so much for your fabulous videos

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you! I’ve lived in Wichita since 2006. Originally from Ohio. Thank you for the nice comment 😊

[@danielmoore7332]

Once again, a great descriptive viewing of a nice semi-desolate part of America. Two questions- Was that bowling alley still in business & (again) any music stores? Thank you

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you very much! Yes I think the alley was open (not at that moment though). I didn’t see any music stores.

[@danielrose5265]

Have a good week amigo I wish I was in Kansas now I'm working on it now

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thanks Daniel! You too!

[@wilsonking1617]

Your video reminds me of a recurrent segment on CBS Sunday Morning, “Postcard from Nebraska”- lived it and your video also- thanks for sharing it.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you very much!

[@pamelacrowe4971]

Thanks for taking us with you. Great video. Cool tumbleweed! Lol

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Any time! Yeah there were a lot of them tumbling around!

[@briandm33]

Alot of people came through Tribune back in the 1800's so it was a town that was rough on the edges with outlaws and crazies running rampid throughout that area. Tribune did have a deadly past with some outlaw gangs comeing through the area.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Doesn’t surprise me! So far out there it could’ve definitely gotten rowdy!

[@papabear562]

Another great video. Tribune looks like a really nice town and it's in the Mountain Time Zone which I think makes it a little unique. Looks like it can a fairly self contained community with all the support services that people would need, even a hospital.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

I had a lot of fun exploring Greeley County - part 2 was even more desolate!

[@papabear562]

@@TravelwithaWiseguy I noticed that too! Interesting about that graveyard.

[@dvbj665311]

I greatly enjoy your videos man. It’s both fun and educational to view them. I enjoy going to the places you visit.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you very much! It’s a lot of fun for me too!

[@vickigraves8597]

Seeing those old power poles...I hope you looked for glass insulators! Thanks for the video. Windy and tumbleweeds just like where I live!

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you! I’ve been told those might be telegraph lines!

[@johnd1216]

Looking forward to part two

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thanks! It'll be much more desolate than part 1!

[@tombillard5264]

awesome channel makes this Vancouver boy want to become a Jayhawk lol

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Haha thanks! I’m sure some of us feel the same about Canada!

[@naturelvr123]

Interesting, I'll have to make a visit w/my 4x5 camera & shoot b/w. BTW, I live in Greeley, Colorado. 2 towns-wow. :)

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Have fun!

[@bigjimslade6250]

Enjoyed the video. I’m looking forward to part 2 to see if there is any discernible contrast or difference at the Colorado state line. Also I wonder if the land or topography around Greeley County is much different from the Cimarron Strip in western Oklahoma?

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thanks! I think part 2 will be a little different for the main reason is there’s little population in the rest of the county.

[@samdunn1807]

The poles along the track were telegraph lines for rail road and regular telegraph.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thanks!

[@gaildrumm4082]

Did you notice the dirt snow fences on the north side of the tracks? Horace was the railroad town. I'm not sure if they had a repair shop there or where the roundhouse was. The old Missouri Pacific main line. Route of the Eagles.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

I didn't notice that!

[@sterlingodeaghaidh5086]

Being it was the hub of MoPac and the last stop til denver before Santa Fe built the yard in Pueblo. The roundhouse was on the north side of the town, along with the shop. Sadly all that's left is the lodge and depot.

[@CindyinArizona]

It so awesome to see other parts of the country, I really appreciate all the history you include in your videos. Nice you show on the map where you are driving. Did you get the population charts mixed up, the ones you show indicate Horace always being much smaller than Tribune for the dates shown (1890-2020), however, you mentioned that once Horace had been bigger than Tribune. The populations in 1920 were not the same, either.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you Cynthia! I might have misspoke about the Horace/Tribune populations. I think they were pretty equal for a while then Tribune got larger.

[@tinman7130]

I've ridden thru Greely county on several occasions on motor cycle road trips heading back west to my home turf in Colorado.. Even in the summer the wind is always blowing. Lot of farming in the warmer months and if you love wide open spaces. There is plenty of them there.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

That would be some good road trips on a motorcycle!

[@travis303]

Following the tumbleweed 🤣

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

There were a lot of them that day! 😂

[@ronfullerton3162]

Que in that old "Sons of the Pioneers" song.

[@OdySlim]

Thanks for the video. I would love to live in Tribune. I once drove near it while looking for a campsite ulitimately staying at a KOA in Wakeeney off I-70. Too bad as that is one awesome little town. Thanks & Regards from Ody Slim

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you! I really enjoyed my visit too! Unique area far away from the hustle and bustle!

[@nurato123]

Another very informative, well made video, thank you for sharing, San Antonio Texas, freedom before fear,🍀🍀🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸, Thank you Amigo 🍀🍀🦚🦚, keep the journey moving forward 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you Ruben! Some similarities to parts of western Texas!

[@colingeorgeh]

Very interesting video. Thanks for sharing.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks!

[@peterflynn2111]

they are old telephone/telegraph lines abandoned beside railway .Mobile phones killed them off

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thanks!

[@vermontanan]

Well, they probably were telegraph lines at one time, but eventually it became a railroad phone line (called "pole" lines). Mobile phones had nothing to do with the demise of these pole lines. On well-trafficked railroads (which the one through Greeley County no longer is), communication is now done by microwave. On this railroad, through traffic ended in 1996 when Union Pacific bought Southern Pacific and traffic shifted to UP's main line across Nebraska.

[@julieschossow9315]

Thanks for sharing. Appreciate you!

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thanks so much Julie! 😊

[@travis303]

You probably already know this but talking about Greeley being the last county in Kansas, when the state was a territory it used to stretch all the way to the Rockies

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

It’s an interesting topic, thinking about did they actually know the boundaries out there? A lot had to be guesswork until it got organized.

[@don66hotrod94]

A.E. Smith Implement Company was the JI Case dealer in Tribune.

[@gdroege44]

It’s so windy in western Kansas, it sometimes drove people crazy so I’ve read.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

I can imagine it did!

[@jerrysullivan8424]

Festus in Gunsmoke 🙂had the same effect on Doc. Adam. LOL!

[@BNSF7776]

Nice stuff. Interesting note the railroad was once part of the Missouri Pacific system from KC to Pueblo until 1982 when Union Pacific took over the MOP. The line also served as a major freight corridor between KC and California for Southern Pacific as well. Horace was also a crew change point for the MP/UP and saw around 20-30 trains daily. In 1997 following yet another rail merger between the SP and UP the MOP line was eventually sold off upon closing of the Tennessee pass route through Colorado. UP ceased all rail traffic through Horace/Tribune which also lead to the decreasing population. Here’s a video showing the railroad’s last hurrah in the 90s. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pn6saYyBbLR4o9ksi=WpKJPu3ZW1LGd6VW

[@travis303]

wow, over 13K subscribers. You are really blowing up

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Haha thanks! Actually it’s tapered off recently, but the beginning of the year was when it grew a lot. KZbin definitely goes in phases up and down 😊

[@travis303]

@@TravelwithaWiseguy I hadn't noticed until just now your subscriber total

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

February gained over 2,000 then like 700 in March. April will probably be less. It’s all about if the KZbin algorithm likes the video 😊 fortunately I don’t care too much about the numbers. But it’s interesting to watch and see what happens with different videos.

[@travis303]

@@TravelwithaWiseguy "I don't care about the numbers" that's why I like you

[@matthewshaw9078]

Have you ever considered looking into southwest Iowa for a series?

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

I would love to! It’s not very close for me and my full-time job in Southern Kansas. Someday I will!

[@matthewshaw9078]

@Travel with a Wiseguy It'd definitely be a bit of a drive then! I hope to see a video of southwest Iowa one day and maybe you'll explore my old hometown

[@brandtbecker1810]

Your "power lines" are actually old telegraph lines that were once used by the Missouri Pacific RR. Just my two cents' worth but I happen to know a bit about RR history (-:

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

I always love when people give their expertise in the comments 😊

[@brandtbecker1810]

@@TravelwithaWiseguy LOL Well, I don't know about "expertise" here but I remember seeing unused telegraph lines as late as the 1980's along the Union Pacific's mainline here east of Topeka. Through my step-dad's years at Santa Fe, I met some old-time telegraph operators. I think that they told me that telegraph was done away with sometime in the 60's when computer and telephone communications were improved - also, trains with onboard radios became more commonplace then as well. I used to have a couple of books on KS ghost towns and tried actually visited a few during my college days. Then, life got in the way. Enjoy the channel, Brandt

[@gmc9753]

He was also put on a US stamp in 1961.

[@vermontanan]

Interesting that there is no commentary about why there are numerous railroad tracks and a still-standing (abandoned) railroad station in the near ghost town of Horace, but nothing like that in the larger community of Tribune. Reason: Horace was a terminal/crew change location on the Missouri Pacific Railroad on this line between Kansas City and Pueblo (or more accurately for adjacent crew change locations, Hoisington and Pueblo). The route had its own streamliner which debuted in 1942 operating between St. Louis, Kansas City, and Denver, the Colorado Eagle. (The Colorado Eagle was handled by the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad between Pueblo and Denver). The train stopped only at Horace - never at Tribune (through there was another local train into the early 50s that stopped everywhere, including Tribune). The Colorado Eagle was a full-service streamliner, and included a dining car and sleeping cars (and even a through Wichita-Denver sleeping car via a connection at Geneseo, KS) until 1962. The train became coach-only west of Kansas City in 1964 and the Colorado Eagle name was dropped that same year. The train was discontinued altogether west of Kansas City (Missouri) on April 2, 1966, ending rail passenger service to Horace. This map of the Missouri Pacific from 1888 doesn’t even acknowledge Tribune: www.kshs.org/publicat/khq/1955/1955spring_sageser.pdf The railroad was always a lightly-used line as a Missouri Pacific route. In 1982 when Union Pacific bought/merged with Missouri Pacific, one of the conditions of the merger was granting the Denver and Rio Grand Western (D&RGW) trackage rights on the MP route through Horace to Kansas City. In 1988 when Southern Pacific merged with D&RGW (the SP name was retained), traffic increased and the route through Horace became its “Central Corridor.” The problem was that the line was still an unneeded and little-used branch line from the standpoint of owner Union Pacific, which put little money into the route handling competitor’s traffic. Southern Pacific nonetheless was paying to upgrade the line to improve running times, but this all ended in the mid-1990s. Burlington Northern purchased Santa Fe in 1995 to become BNSF and to counter in 1996, UP purchased Southern Pacific (again, retaining the UP name). The SP-D&RGW route across Utah and Colorado had vastly inferior operating characteristics to the UP’s high-capacity main line across Wyoming, so once UP and SP were all under the same umbrella, all the traffic that was going through Horace (and Tribune) shifted north to the original UP transcontinental main line. As such, the Missouri Pacific route in Kansas has been abandoned between Osawatomie and Geneseo (except Herington to Hope), and shortlined between Geneseo and the Colorado border, operated by the Kansas and Oklahoma railroad (though this has segments which have been abandoned, also). The state of Colorado owns the railroad west of the state line to a junction with BNSF east of Pueblo, but there is no traffic and no designated operator. In the video, the reason you see the cars in the “yard” at Horace (coal hoppers) is that they’re stored - not needed (the KO railroad receives a per diem to keep the cars on their property). What this means is that the railroad through Horace and Tribune is basically inactive and without local revenue business. Agricultural products (such as wheat) are shipped in unit trains, and from Greeley County the closest unit grain train loading facilities are in Cheyenne Wells, CO and Sharon Springs, KS (on UP) or in Coolidge, KS (on BNSF). The question remains: Why did Missouri Pacific choose Horace as its local terminal instead of Tribune?

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Great info! Thanks so much!

[@travis303]

"Whitelaw" ... you'll never see that first name again

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

And he got a town named after him! 😂😂

[@jmaddy6086]

Hey that's my home town. That veterans memorial has a brick with my name on it

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Awesome!

[@jmaddy6086]

@@TravelwithaWiseguy thank you for the kind words about my hometown. A lot of people don't have a lot of nice things to say about the least populated county in Kansas. But I love it It's quiet it's kind it's filled with hard workers and decent folk I appreciate you casting a positive light on my town

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

@@jmaddy6086 I really enjoyed my visit!!

[@stevemccoy8138]

Gotta love Western Kansas, I would live there. 😊

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

It’s a different type of person that lives out there - in a good way 😊

[@bertholini2810]

Do those places have a good food store to buy from. The towns look like they are pretty well wore out. Oh yeah, had the car fixed (stuck, I mean stuck in park). Finally got it out of park (don't ask), and had it repaired. Over 1,100 dollars for a new shifter, cannot buy the tiny component (on the shifter), they put in a new shifter..... I'll say no more about that. I have calmed down now and can type normally. Look forward to part 2. Be good, be safe !!

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Tribune looked pretty modern. They had a grocery, hospital, etc. Other than that I didn’t see much. Thanks you too! Sorry about the shifter!

[@Scott_Newmaster]

Nice tumble weed man.......... Rollin, Rollin, Rollin....................

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thanks! Just rolling down Main Street!

[@retirementbootcampoff-grid237]

It has been proposed to create a very super-sized national park out of the swath of mostly vacant land between North Dakota and Texas (which would include western Kansas), and call it Buffalo Commons. It would become a permanent home for many millions of buffalo, provide jobs and local development, and be centrally located in the middle of the USA. Year after year, people are donating farms and unused land towards accomplishing this.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Very interesting 🤔

[@Fifi-qe4ge]

Even though western Kansas is sparcely populated the land is in use for ag purposes. I don't see this coming to fruition.

[@retirementbootcampoff-grid237]

@@Fifi-qe4ge There are three potential outcomes (at least). 1 No park. 2 Super-sized park. 3 Something in-between.

[@retirementbootcampoff-grid237]

Frank and Deborah Popper. Great Plains Restoration. 😉

[@retirementbootcampoff-grid237]

Frank and Deborah Popper. Great Plains Restoration. 😉

[@williammatzek4660]

I wonder if Greeley Colorado got it name from Horace Greeley?

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Yes it was. It was founded by an agricultural reporter from Greeley’s newspaper.

[@travis303]

So as close as the two towns are, as you describe them, would they be considered a much smaller version of Midland/Odessa?

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

You could probably say that. I did find it very strange. I wonder about the dynamics between the two.

[@robertwynn5844]

I know probably know this but Nebraska has several counties with less than 1000 people. Some only 400 or so.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Yes! Some of the smallest in the country are in Nebraska!

[@tumbleweed4185]

@@TravelwithaWiseguy There is also a very large county in NE. Cherry County is 6,000 sq. miles! This one county is larger than the states of Delaware and Rhode Island combined.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

@@tumbleweed4185 Yes! I've been to Cherry County in my smallest Nebraska towns video. Very interesting place!

[@charlesyell6318]

Here is another question. When a town like Horace become mostly abandon , Who does the property belong to, state or county.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

I'm guessing a private citizen owns the land, or it may revert back to the county/town.

[@brentnearhood8874]

Thanks! I think all the counties of Kansas are named after Politicians. 🚗

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

🤔 good point!

[@travis303]

Is that map you're using that shows the ghost towns a current map?

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Yes it’s the latest version of the Delorme Atlas and Gazetteer. They have added some ghost towns.

[@greggcollins4215]

Does anyone know if you can get county lines to show on Google Maps?

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

The only way I do is if I search for the county like “Greeley County, KS”

[@greggcollins4215]

@@TravelwithaWiseguy Yes that works. Have you been to Ulysses yet? The town that ran away from its debts, literally.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

I’ve been there, but haven’t done a video. I know a few people from there actually!

[@greggcollins4215]

@@TravelwithaWiseguy Ulysses was in Ripley Believe it or not. Seems that a man was shot in a bar fight and they laid him on a pool table and played cards while somebody went to Hugoton for a doctor.

[@Sportyedits2122]

I live in tribune ks 😊

[@kcinks]

I thought Lane county was the least populated, I have to go back and watch that one.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

They are close. Probably depends on what year census data you’re looking at. Could go either way in the future.

[@jerrysullivan8424]

Would you know how far the nearest Doctor is in that area?

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

They had a hospital in Tribune.

[@lesanolan7317]

We have three medical doctors and several PA and NP, a physical therapist and an audiologist.

[@lawrenceforbach2627]

I would like to invite you to the Linn County Democratic Party Picnic June 3, 2023 at 1:00 pm location La Cygne Kansas (City Park ) east Shelter building near the swimming pools. I enjoyed the video’s of Lin County Kansas. I you’re interested in attending let me know. We would enjoy hearing about Kansas. I am going to have a few Senators and House Representatives attending so please come if you’re available. Thank you for your work on the Kansas State Videos.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

I appreciate the invitation. I’ll have to check but I’m still busy with my full-time job at that time. Sounds like a fun event!

[@superjuice817]

i grew up in tribune, it my not be the least populated county in kansas. the census does not include illegals, if you included them the number would quadruple, at least. Tyson in Garden city which isnt too far away advertises for jobs in mexico and busses in 3,000 illegals from mexico every month, about 1% stay at tyson to work the rest just "disappear" in to the countryside, many go to dairy farms around that area including tribune they are not required to have drivers licenses, tags, registration or insurance on their vehicles in most parts of kansas due to the high cost to counties just to identify who they so if law enforcement stops them they just let them go. western kansas/eastern colorado wasnt TOO bad prior to the 80's / 90's but now its a shithole.

[@bobbyjackson8147]

Well Texas least populated County is Loving Which only have 85 people.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Yes! I actually did a video about Loving County.

[@bobbyjackson8147]

@@TravelwithaWiseguy I've live in Midland Texas and we went and fracked a well there in Mentone and I gave it the nickname Dry Gulch because it looked like a movie prop for a espisode Of Gunsmoke

[@brodeygrubb2315]

Yo I live there🫡

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

I enjoyed visiting your home county!

[@morrowdoug]

Man, how depressing!

[@williamroot3827]

Horace was the crew change terminal on the Missouri Pacific Railway main line to Pueblo and Denver. Not sure why Horace was chosen over Tribune, but there must be a story behind it. There would have been a lot of railroad related structures there during it's heyday. The line is moribund now....all those hopper cars depicted in the video are in long term storage there due to the downturn of Powder River coal. Almost new coal hoppers are shoved in abandoned sidings all over the West due to the huge drop in power plant coal usage.

[@JaceBjurstom]

I live in leoti ks and I go to tribune a lot. Just saying, leoti is way better