Comanche County, Kansas, Part 1 // 8 Ghost Towns!

[@claytonabbott]

BUTTERMILK was a POE (POINT OF ENTRY) for commercial vehicle and is on KANSAS HWY #1 which is busy during wheat harvest time.

[@papabear562]

The Comanche County Airport was the highlight of the video for me, and at 4500 ft x 60 ft it's no slouch. I just retired (Apr 2023) from the federal government where I worked at a local military base for a flying squadron, and I gotta tell you, those folks are the finest group of individuals you ever want to work for and with. So your stop at the airport brings back some great memories!

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

That was one of my highlights too - very cool little county airport!

[@colingeorgeh]

I always love your Kansas videos.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you! I always enjoy exploring Kansas!

[@sandywetzel3383]

I love the videos of Kansas as well. I love those western prairies. I used to know some people who lived in Ford County. Loved our visit there many years ago.

[@empressvogt]

Sad to know some towns no longer exist. :( I saw a lot of abandonment on my vacation in Pennsylvania.

[@travis303]

I love these county profiles you have been doing.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

I really enjoy it too. I try to do some research but I also like to be surprised one way or the other when I find or don’t find something.

[@travis303]

@@TravelwithaWiseguy I can imagine you have to do some research otherwise how can you know any of these towns existed in an empty field?

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Correct. It’s easy to get lost in the research sometimes. So I try to focus more on the exploring if I can. Next week’s video is mostly open range!

[@TheScottab]

BTW, drove by Cessna Stadium today, seeing the east side gone was strange. When the project is done it should be nice. Fun fact about Cessna Stadium, the west side of the stadium on the ramps leading up is where Shocker Mountain was located. There were special mats that could be rolled out that simulated snow and you could ski down.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Yes it’s very strange - my office looks out towards the east side so I’m seeing it in real time! I’ve heard stories about Shocker Mountain!

[@scottpond5881]

I appreciated the comment on the Post Office in Von. I have come to learn that a great many Post Offices in KS anyway were really somebody's house/business. My Great Great Grandfather was appointed the Post Master of Linndale Kansas in October 1894... It was his house on the farm. Also appreciated the comment on the 4WD for some of the roads. My wife and I are looking at a road trip out there (family history) and I honestly didn't think of that.

[@Quitealways]

Beautiful areas always down the country roads. Drone shots always a plus. Lots of interesting history and school was really exceptional . Neat viedo.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you! This was a fun adventure!

[@DavidsExecutiveTouch17]

Awesome little road trip Brother. I find myself wanting to visit Buttermilk Kansas for some odd reason, if nothing else, just to stop in at that old church for a Sunday morning sermon & fellowship. 🤔

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you! Sounds like a good way to spend a Sunday morning!

[@carolyn2807]

Beautiful area!! My family roots come from there but you missed the Lake and also Sun City with the fish bowl beer and steaks!! And the carousel that is close to it!! Belvedere used to have a one stop everything store that had t- shirts for sale population 8 and a dog lol. But that was years ago. Thanks for all you do😊

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Awesome! Part 2 coming out tomorrow!

[@loismix9220]

I enjoy these videos. I live in Ohio now but grew up in southeast Kansas.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

I’m the opposite- grew up in Ohio, now live in Kansas 😊

[@travis303]

How about that, Protection, Kansas with its mark in history. The old video footage was a nice touch.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

I was lucky to find that footage! It’s on KZbin and the actual video is a little longer.

[@jamesgoforth5644]

The old video was super cool. People were so humble back then.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thanks and I agree!

[@zrebbesh]

Uninhabited buildings in Comanche county are deceptively recent. The wind kicks up to 60mph several times a year and brings sand. So if buildings are in the open the wind takes the paint off them and then they quickly decay. I lived there as a kid and the "missing" towns you're finding were mostly eaten by the wind.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thanks for the info!

[@juliogonzales5441]

Another day with a wiseguy😊😊great 👍

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Awww ☺️

[@kristinakahila8914]

That building you asked about. I am guessing it to be 100 years old.

[@ronalddailey5208]

Looking forward to part2 . Have a great weekend

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you! Same to you!

[@kimballamram552]

Nice to see that the airport is still well maintained in the event of having the Essential Air Service fly a county resident out for medical treatment an important factor in the declining population of rural America.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

I agree! Very well kept!

[@jeanturley7435]

It cracked me up that you could walk right in🤓

[@chuckwilson2301]

Had good friends of my parents that lived in Coldwater and college friends that lived in Protection and Harper.

[@tomcoleman6405]

Did you know Mark Jellison?

[@percymcnabb4746]

love the dirt road , and history.. high school in protecion is beautiful building . the airport also was very interesting

[@janfeuerborn2707]

Really enjoyed Protection! Beautiful area!

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Fascinating town and history!

[@chriscosby2459]

Another great video Wiseguy. I have known of the town of Protection, Kansas for at least 30 years of my life. I always thought the town was named for protection from winter storms or protection like a fort. The true story about the name was very surprising.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Yeah it has a unique name and interesting story!! Thank you!!

[@UMtiger311]

I like the drone work, really helps to get a better feel for those wide flat spaces

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you! I agree - sometimes I see things I didn’t realize were there!

[@lisareed5669]

I need a drone. 😂

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

@@lisareed5669 :)

[@williammatzek4660]

I'm rural Sedgwick , kansas. Kansas State map lists are population to be 1658. Same map lists Comanche , county population to be 1700. The map shows the salt fork of the Arkansas River in Comanche county. I've heard the grass in that area has a high Salt content. Cattle done care much for it!

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

I bet! Hopefully I can explore Sedgwick in the future!

[@carolstevenson9247]

Thank you for sharing your travels. I didn't know Protection was still an active town. I have a sign from my grandma's collection (the hoard, really) Ready for part 2.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

It seemed to still have a pretty active community!

[@stevehilliard1495]

Very interesting. I liked how you captured both the gypsum hills and the flat agricultural areas. My brother taught school in Protection. During Vietnam there was a barbed wire factory there (concertina ?) . You have increased my knowledge, always a good thing 😂

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thanks! Protection has a fascinating history. I’m assuming he taught in the school I showed - beautiful building!

[@tinman7130]

After buzzing the tower at Comanche International you opt for couple of touch and goes. All because you found Buttermilk and for that you do need some Protection. Not to throw Coldwater on this adventure but Avila see you next time, lord willing, the creek don't rise and your Ship comes in. I wish you a Von farewell

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Wow you worked in every place into a paragraph of comedic poetry! Von farewell made me laugh out loud 😂

[@tinman7130]

@@TravelwithaWiseguy that's why I get the big money. I enjoy the challenge.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

@@tinman7130 ha!

[@metimoteo]

I love that you include chapters in your videos.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you 😊

[@gdroege44]

Another interesting historical video of little known places and historical information. 👍

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you very much!

[@svetozarevic]

And just like that!... You entered that office and promoted yourself to general manager of Comanche Airport. Good for you!

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

😂😂😂 Assistant to the Regional Manager!

[@ronfullerton3162]

As I have biked around, I have found several small town airports to be somewhat similar. Here in south Central Nebraska we have some airstrips that were World War 2 training fields. Some of them have some buildings left and maybe some history also. Fairmont is one that is easily assessable from the highway and has some of the buildings left and history and pictures in one building to enjoy. Nebraska had several WW2 training airstrips, the reasoning was that it was a long ways for a saboteur to travel undetected to get to them. It seems most of them here were bomber training sites. The bull looked lonely, but was rather a sturdy fellow. Hopefully there were some ladies around so he could pay his way. Definitely looked quiet out there. One big thing I loved about living in the country. I bet it was hard to leave some of those spots. Did we have a hotel to stay in till our layover till Sunday's cruise?

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

I’m always fascinated by these small airports. Always try to stop and check them out! Our stop for the night is Greensburg, KS 😂

[@scottpond5881]

Not sure that the guy whose job it really is would like that, but you never know.🙂 Airport is owned by the county (the manager is based in Coldwater), and is indicated as "unmanned". It is a pretty nice pilot lounge as far as a rural airport goes.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

@@scottpond5881 I thought so too! Very well kept and organized! Really nice little airport!

[@pmsafety4865]

I can't imagine the let down of reading a paper in the 1890's that promoted a town to be a bustling hub, then get there and there's absolutely nothing going on. Pretty cool scenery though, thanks for sharing your adventure.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Yes! Especially when it was so hard to travel back then. Pretty common story of the times! Thank you!

[@lifewithjosef]

7:57 Was the hotel open? Last time I was there in 2014 it was for sale. I've eaten at Don's Place, though it was 20 years ago. I was surprised how inexpensive it was, coming from California. 8:13 When my brother was a deputy for Comanche County, neither Protection or Coldwater had their own city departments, instead they contracted with the county. Later in time, both cities formed their own departments. 18:39 The deputies had to check the airport beacon every night, and call in the "lit" status I rode with my brother all week while he was on patrol. Growing up in California, it was definitely a bit of culture shock. We had 2 calls for service, but managed to keep busy. Almost everyone was very nice to me. I picked up the "index finger wave" while there. Within 3 nights, we grazed a bobcat, and hit a deer while taking a suspect to jail in Greensburg, totalling the Crown Victoria. There's an awful lot of wildlife in the Midwest. Driving home one handed, a few days after the deer, I had 6-8 deer dash in front of me outside of Ashland. Made my heart skip a beat. As a newspaper guy, I always bought the local weekly paper during my travels. I subscribed to the Western Star for a few years after my brother left the SO. As always...

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Awesome stuff! Always enjoy reading your experiences! The motel looked like it was open but I didn’t investigate too close. Sounds like you had the full small town Kansas experience!!

[@aliceevans3357]

I thought you'd worn that cool shirt on purpose 😉 totally appropriate. I really love wide open spaces, they are too quickly disappearing, being replaced with ugly urban sprawl. Hope you're unscathed by the wild weather last week. Safe travels and great adventures, GOD bless

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you! Totally happy accident on the shirt haha. Kansas has a lot of those wide open spaces remaining thankfully!

[@mathewhephill8686]

Thank, much injoyed

[@lefturn99]

Good stuff as usual. A little late, but 3 miles east of Buttermilk there is a multi story stone mansion - abandoned. And 2 miles east of the airport is an old 1 room school.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Dang I wish I could’ve seen those! It was really hard to find a lot of info on places like that in Comanche County. I tried to go to the county museum to get info but it wasn’t open.

[@kd5inm]

​​@@TravelwithaWiseguyou should post questions on youtube or facebook about places to see for future videos. Several content creators I follow do questions and surveys to engage their followers on youtube. It won't be a video but might be a multiple guess question or survey. Maybe ask about things others have seen and background info about it from folks in the counties you visit and then if someone seems really knowledgable then you could interview them and find out about the places. In regards to this channel you are not only a track coach but now you are a history teacher. History is very important and I find it interesting myself learning about other places. If we don't learn from history and things that happened, we are doomed to repeat them. Good job sir!

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you for the suggestion! That’s a really good idea! This channel is still pretty small compared to a lot of KZbin channels out there, so if I’m going to a place that I haven’t profiled before then often I don’t have any followers from there. Hopefully that will change as the channel continues to grow. Also, I’m limited on time because of my full-time job so often I’m learning as I go (which is also fun). I need an intern 😂😂

[@kd5inm]

@@TravelwithaWiseguy Thats why I sent you a link/ suggestion about the radio museum there in Kansas. To visit it. I've also seen other folks who have made comments on your videos saying they have/had family at the location you visited or folks said there is a house down the road you should visit. You know the youtube algorithem probably would lead folks that search youtube based on keywords in your posts. They might be lead to your channel as well gaining you new subs. I understand its a second job for you and it may not bring in suggestions for places everytime every week but if it helps every other video or gives you the key bit of info that helps a video go viral and thus grows your channel more then it could be worth it. Also does the school you work for have a history department? Maybe enlist their help in researching the counties you plan to visit in the future and maybe they will come up with background info for you to investigate in person. Perhaps you can find someone who can help there with research. It would be worth asking. Maybe they are studying something that you lan to cover and you go there and they use your video in a class on the subject you cover??

[@kd5inm]

@@TravelwithaWiseguy A year from now you could be three times the size you are now or even more. There are channels that have 300,000+ subs and do something like you do but aren't as enjoyable as your videos. Many of them are discouraging and not as upbeat as you are. It's just going to take that one video to catapult the channel.

[@janfeuerborn2707]

Love the area, the drone tour was great!

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you! I enjoyed it a lot too! Part 2 is more desolate haha.

[@sharoncruzen1942]

Satanta is named after a Kiowa chief.

[@lisareed5669]

I've mentioned Satanta before, but it's a different town. It is in Haskell County. I never knew there was a predecessor. I think Chief Satanta was a Kiowa. He was later imprisoned by US Army in Texas, where he eventually died at his own hand. The reason given was that he couldn't bear to be locked up, after living his life on horseback.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Interesting to hear how it got that name! Thank you!

[@ken-dt1zp]

theres a town named after him just west of brownwood tx but the town spelled it slightly differently after the same chief

[@jeanturley7435]

Great job. Protection is the home town of Stan Herd, an artist painting murals on many locations, including my sweet little town of Wilmore in Comanche Co. ❤

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you! Look for Wilmore in part 2 next week 😊

[@travis303]

Looks nice and cool. I miss those days. Now it's just sunny and hot. Lousy season

[@peterselten500]

Hi john thanks for the tour . Cheers mate🇦🇺

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Always! Thank you!

[@angelabrown6479]

My old stomping ground!

[@edwardjacko470]

Another winner. Keep 'em coming.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you very much!!

[@stephenyoung2742]

You start out not far from where my grandfather worked at the McKinney Farm which is in Kiowa county. Stan Herd is from Protection a well known artist.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Awesome! I didn’t know about Stan!

[@jerrysullivan8424]

I have never heard of him until your comment. " Stan Herd A native Kansan, Stan Herd began as a painter and muralist before attaining the position as the pre-eminent ‘representational’ earthworks artist in the world today. One of the founders of the ‘Prairie Renaissance’ Herd has been active in a group promoting film, music and the arts in America’s heartland. He has continued to produce numerous earthworks that grip viewers around the world. Herd’s artworks have spanned 40 years and include works with major companies in commercial endeavors alongside his monumental fine art earthworks in China, Cuba, Australia, Brazil and in 13 states in the US.

[@gh2687]

Another great informative video. Eagerly waiting for part 2

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you!

[@bertholini2810]

That little airport is really nice. That I would like to see. Very nice video, thank you for posting ! Summer stuff here, mow, water, pull weeds, trim, etc. etc. Be good, be safe !

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Stay cool out there! Thanks!

[@sueelliott3206]

Seems to be a very lonely county. Very interesting TFS

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

The towns had some life, but lots of wide open space for sure! Very intriguing!

[@jerryrichardson8029]

Another great video !! Very interesting that it was foggy where your were recording, and very foggy and drizzly here in Alaska as I watch your video. I'm not sure how you arranged that, but made for a nice viewing experience. :) Amazing how people picked this area to live, even cooked the books so to speak so that representation could be had. What was in their mind that caused them to choose this place. I think you touched on some solid reasoning, that they were hoping for a railroad to come through, and it never happened. At any rate, a very enjoyable and informative video. Thank you for sharing. And that's no bull, although there was a nice looking bull.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you very much! And yes the fog was a plan all along 😂😂 So many places in this part of the country that people tried to start settlements. Fascinating to me!

[@KG-zd9nt]

I don't think desolate is how I would describe that beautiful prairie!!

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

I find the desolation beautiful 😊

[@TheScottab]

A county that I need to explore, hope that you made it to Wilmore and we will see it in a future video. The carousel there is something that I want to see and ride.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Yes Wilmore is in Part 2 next week!

[@jeanturley7435]

The carousel is open to anyone, drive up and honk😎 when the owners are here from California it’s open day and night. The same people own the house, just north of the carousel, it’s a “Sears” house purchased from a catalog, delivered in parts by train and buckboard. It is on the historical registry 🌻

[@vickigraves8597]

Nice video! As usual. Thank you.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thanks Vicki!

[@brentnearhood8874]

Thanks!🚙

[@stevemccoy8138]

My kind of country, not too many people. 😊

[@pamelacrowe4971]

Great video. Thanks for sharing.

[@marioalonso1977]

Now I’m craving buttermilk!! 😂 (Another great video brother!)

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Mmmmm 😂 and thanks!!

[@francisbarlow9904]

Great video John.... your usual standard! Some interesting things there, I had to quickly look up about Mennonites, founded in Switzerland originally and more like a cross between Catholicism and protestant.... I think, following the bible verbatim. Lovely empty spaces.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Lots of Mennonite communities out here in Kansas! Thank you very much!

[@highwatercircutrider]

We are neither Catholic nor Protestant. We are Anabaptists (means ‘twice’ baptized in the original definition). We are however a bible believing Christian church.

[@francisbarlow9904]

@@highwatercircutrider Oh thank you for putting me right on that, I really appreciate it,

[@brendacejda7069]

Your question - the age of the old house? I don't know but find it interesting that it still has a good portion of the roof. Although the structure looks old, perhaps the fact that some of the roof is in tact tells us it's not as old as one would think. A very interesting area! Love the name "Buttermilk." 👍

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

True! And I wonder if maybe the roof was replaced more recently? 🤷🏼‍♂️ Yeah great name for a town/community! I’d name one Pizza 😂😂

[@brendacejda7069]

@@TravelwithaWiseguy Ha! "Pizza, Kansas!" I'd have to go with "Steak 'n Potatoe, Kansas!"

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

😂😂😂

[@robinfeagins2046]

Eureka has an airport out on lake road

[@kristinakahila8914]

That Mennonite cemetery would have been nice to look at names anyway.

[@tomkrzyt]

4:15 I wonder how long this house has been abandoned. Any idea?

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

No idea. But it looked like it had been abandoned for years.

[@travis303]

I tell you what, when you just say "buttermilk" it sounds good. It sounds sweet and smooth and cold. But when you actually drink it, it's disgusting. My grandparents used to always have buttermilk and drink it. I don't know how they did.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

I’m not sure if I’ve ever had it before!

[@travis303]

@@TravelwithaWiseguy It's good in things like pancakes, but straight 🤮

[@travis303]

@@TravelwithaWiseguy I haven't had it since I was a kid, though. I tried it at my grandparents' house and never had it, at least straight, again. Maybe I should give it another go now as an adult to see if my taste buds have changed at all. I notice I like different things now than I did before. But much like how I still can't seem to find the courage to get on a roller coaster i still can't find the courage to buy buttermilk.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Oh yeah I eat so many more things these days than back with I was a picky youngster 😂

[@rossbryan6102]

I WOULD GUESS 1900 ON THE BUILDING!!

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Your guess is as good of mine. I was gonna guess maybe 1930’s but really have no idea.

[@kd5inm]

​@@TravelwithaWiseguyI would say you both are close. That curved arch over the door kinda leads me to think its 20's or 30's. Look to see if walls have sheetrock or plaster on them. Sheetrock didn't come into use alot until probably the 1920's to 30's.

[@UMtiger311]

@@TravelwithaWiseguy I was thinking it could be 1900 to 1920 maybe

[@GrantBaker]

Thanks for exploring my stomping grounds! I grew up in Protection. I actually have flown into 3K8 several times and have a couple videos of flying the PC12 there! This flight is on the log you showed (N921NG 11/23/21): m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/mYKcmYVnpLl7h5o And here’s another one from last summer: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aarTaYytaLt1ibs

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Love your videos! Cool to see you fly into Comanche County Airport!

[@claylifto2356]

So, where's that link to the capital city of the county?

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

In the description of this video.

[@gdroege44]

Are you a pilot and have a plane?

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

No the shot at the airport was with a drone.

[@jerrysullivan8424]

I am waiting for the day that you tell us that you have seen a UFO. all that traveling out in nowhere.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

😂😂 I’ll definitely let you know if I see anything!