US 166 ||| The Route 66 Spur ||| Part 1

[@glorias8540]

I am loving this series of videos! My older daughter went to Kindergarten and First grade at Greenlawn Elementary. I have relatives buried in Greenlawn Cemetery. Unfortunately,the school was closed when a lot of other rural schools were. The different mines did have names, with one being Captain. I'm not sure if there was ever a little town out there, though. I lived in Baxter Springs for over 40 years before moving to Wichita.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Very cool thanks for sharing!

[@sueelliott3206]

Lot of interesting cemeteries. I think its awesome that these smaller towns are erecting monuments for our veterans. Thanks for sharing, look forward to part 2.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Yes that was a very nice one to find and spend some time!

[@bertholini2810]

Seriously, your videos just get better and better. 85 today, summer is almost here (argh). Be good, be safe !!

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you! I’m happy with how this one turned out 😊

[@bertholini2810]

@@TravelwithaWiseguy You know.... I have more weeds in my yard.... than grass.

[@elizabethmurray3221]

I’m glad you found Cecil. What a great story about the Bible surviving two tornados and a fire.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

I agree - a highlight for me!

[@aliceevans3357]

Love visiting these small towns and finding off the beaten path treasures. Thank you for bringing them to us! Stay safe and GOD bless

[@deborahross9974]

Oh my goodness. I didn't know about route 166. I've heard of Coffeeville but never been there. That old RV park sign was cool to me too. Can't wait to see part two. These are so interesting and I sure enjoy these towns. Loved the horse and the dog running along with you, at least for a little bit. Happy trails to you and God bless.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thanks! Definitely a fun drive!

[@tinman7130]

Friendly horse he gave you an acknowledging nod. Cecil disappeared, and apparently took Beanie with him. Some interesting small towns. Ahh Coffeeville, wondered if it had a Starbucks, asking for a friend.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Hahaha I definitely saw a few baristas!

[@bglrj]

Thanks for sharing a part of Kansas I have never seen.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

My pleasure indeed!

[@terriquotskuyva4594]

Love seen the jails!! Creepy!!

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Agreed - would've been wild to stay in one overnight back in the day!

[@williammatzek4660]

The biggest business in Bartlett is the grain elevator. There is Bartlett Grain , in North Wichita. (Terminal elevator) They have other locations in Kansas. Wonder if it started on 166!

[@mtgcardzandreview2756]

Found this by searching for for elm city ks. "Elm City, a hamlet of Labette county, is located on the Missouri Pacific R. R. in Elm Grove township, 13 miles southwest of Oswego, the county seat, and about 2 miles east of Edna, from which place it receives mail daily. The population in 1910 was 77. The town was founded by Jesse Edmundson soon after the railroad was built in 1886. The first building erected was occupied by Wilson & Vanbibber, the first merchants. This is a grain shipping point."

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thanks for the info!

[@rosiemcnaughton9933]

Some beautiful gems here in this video. Nice old buildings and interesting cemeteries. I'll be back for part 2 also.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thanks!

[@ronfullerton3162]

A very good video as always. Plenty of good scenery. I love the extra knowledge you gain is with your diverting off the beaten road in search for history and the little forgotten towns. All the old architecture in all the towns along the trip were great to see. My heart fell at the one community center that looked so good at first sight, but then we were able to see the roof had caved in and the building was actually in a bad state. The old saying is that time waits for no one, and I guess that includes buildings also.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Some of those stops just off the main drive is the most fun to find! Lots of empty searches but when you find “something” it’s pretty cool 😎

[@ronfullerton3162]

@@TravelwithaWiseguy Fo sure! An locals will talk about some neat places off the beaten path that are a great stop.

[@aliceevans3357]

Interesting tidbit: chat, often from Picher is used in the construction of highways- it helps provide traction. It is also used in the production of cement. There are other uses for it as well.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

That is interesting!

[@louispaparella5766]

It's ok as long as the lead level is low

[@AdventuresofMarkyandSparky]

Another fantastic video! Love your “side track” ventures

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you! I enjoy getting off the beaten track! 😊

[@pamelacrowe4971]

Coffeyville has some interesting history. Thanks for sharing John. Looking forward to part 2.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

I agree - fun to visit!

[@PSJBL]

go check out the Dalton Gang Hideout in Meade, ks

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

I did a video about it - very interesting!

[@juanitagarcia958]

My carriage was waiting 😂 Great video and fascinating history. 😊

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

😊 cool to find some neat stuff along the way!

[@jerrilynhenson9024]

We drove I believe along that route in the middle of the night about 1967. My husbands sense of direction took us north from Oklahoma instead of east to Missouri.. I fell asleep and each time I woke up I saw a sign for Wichita, Kansas. I couldn’t figure out why it was getting closer. When I woke enough to realize what was happening, we drove along the most southern border route of Kansas to go into Missouri. So as usual, we were famous for getting to his family in the middle of the night.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

😂😂

[@rogerclark9285]

The sign for the RV park has only been there a few years. The chat piles are mostly gone. The Ballard mine pile was over 400 feet high.

[@KenBurtner]

Another nice Sunday - thank you.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@DavidsExecutiveTouch17]

Awesome video Brother. Where you began on 166, that sign is a recent installation by the casino, there used to be nothing but tree's in that area. The 2nd road on the right, where the big shop sits abandoned, 50-100 yards back to the east, was where I spent my 1st 18 years. The 1st road has now taken been out by the roundabout and the CStore construction. So much has changed in the last 30 years that it makes my head spin. This video DEFINITELY hit close to home. 🤓 Coffeyville also had a hog auction that Dad used to go to every now & then, he would always drag me along, and while driving, be pointing out history along that road all the way to the auction. Time spent then that I'm eternally grateful for now. I know there are still things along the road I've not yet seen, so guessing the wife & I get to hit the asphalt on a Daycation or 2 and film some of these places for our self before they're gone. The old church, outside of Baxter, I believe the last time it has services, was around the late 80's, good to see it still standing, sad to see it in such a state though. As always, thanks for posting my Friend, superb job once again. Keep up the good work. Til next time, stay safe and Be Blessed. 🙏🇺🇸

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you for the great message and I’m glad it hits close to home - great little drive!

[@UMtiger311]

Really love in these place places that the local people are such treasures. Nice and happy to share history and other interesting stuff

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Always great to meet some locals and get some lore!

[@lifewithjosef]

I had people who lived in Independence KS, we drove on this part of US-166 through Chetopa. Note the city park at 8:04, on our visit 10 years ago the park had a few RV spots with hookups. We were full timing in our RV at the time, people in this life tend to note stuff like this. I agree, Coffeyville does an excellent job on telling the Dalton Gang story. Your drone work here is so on point! As always...

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you! I got lucky with the sunset and drone shots in Coffeyville!

[@juliogonzales5441]

GREAT 👍 HISTORY COACH 😅

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thanks! 😃

[@vickiwood9192]

Such an interesting way to learn local history. Thank you for sharing.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@roberteshaw9520]

Hey Coach. Coffeyville really pops on the screen, even the air shots are different than many others.Good history there.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thanks! Good time of the day to film!

[@brucesmith9144]

An enjoyable journey through some quaint small towns. But there is one I remember studying meteorology: Coffeyville, Kansas. This town has its place etched in meteorology history. On September 3, 1970, a 5.7 inch diameter, 1.67 pound hailstone fell there.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

😮

[@carolstevenson9247]

I was camping as a girl scout through that storm. Hail was the size of a dinner plate.

[@ronald9279]

Great video, coach. I seen a couple of starter home's. Have a awesome week

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thanks! You too!

[@mrapache10]

I was raised just a little over a mile from the Greenlawn cemetery. Have lots of family buried there. I went to Greenlawn school kindergarten thru 5th grade. They shut the school down in the 90’s due to low attendance. There was never a community there. Just lots of local farmers.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Nice - thanks for the info!

[@mikebritton8798]

The Coffeyville jail with the "bodies" was a bit creepy. Imagine unknowingly walking in there at night. The old churches always make me kinda sad. Like so many small businesses, there just isn't enough attendance to keep them open. Cemeteries have good attendance though and you can learn alot from them. So much to be said about the past but I could go on and on. Thanks for the tour.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you 😊

[@lonerglide]

I drove 166/400 so many times as my parents lived in Wichita ks and i in nw Arkansas and used to live near Coffeyville so i got on 166 at ks line and took 166 to I-35 north, was a nice rd in good shape back then with low traffic

[@sandywetzel3383]

I like all your videos, but love when you come back to Kansas. My husband and I did this route back in 2018, but stayed in Kansas instead of going to Oklahoma. I love those prairies

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you! Lots more Kansas video on the way 😊

[@peterselten500]

Hi john thanks for the tour cool old towns the sinclair station is a reel gem . Cheers mate🇦🇺

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thanks and I thought so too! Classic!

[@asimplehorseman4648]

That was an interesting day for sure. Thanks for sharing it with us. Always a bonus when you can have a good conversation with the locals. I still can't get over that horizon on the drone shots... "there's nothing there!"(lol)

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Hahaha thanks!

[@robertdodd8169]

Once drove from Miami, Oklahoma to Wichita on 166 to deliver a friend to a Air Force base for his basic training. He was passed out most of the way after a all night party and that road was so untraveled back then, I remember the pig farm smells and the local police escorting our vehicle through the Main Street till we got out of city limits. We didn’t looked like Hippies either, just strangers.

[@robertdodd8169]

Forgot to mention, it was 1970 and we all had draft numbers.

[@jerrilynhenson9024]

I didn’t realize that, about the 3 states. I lived in Missouri for almost a year. But farther in. I’ve been to the 4 Corners states.

[@jamesbednar8625]

Awesome video!! Have traveled that route a few times in the past but do not really remember too much about it - think I was more on the western portion of that route but do remember spending the night in Chetopa, KS. Do remember visiting Coffeyville, KS, sometime in the 1970s as a kid. My mom had read a book about the Dalton Gang, so we took a summer trip to visit. Also, have been to Coffeyville a few times since living in Kansas. Last time I was there was about 12-years ago or so. Do remember that in the "Death Alley" there were mannequins set up in western clothing and in the probable positions of the participants - glad to see the greatly improved paintings for those mannequins, though they did the job, just looked kind of "tacky" (those mannequins are also what I distinctly remember from my 1970s trip). Also paid a visit to the cemetery to see the grave sites of the Dalton's. Cannot wait till part 2!!

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you! Hopefully part 2 conjures up some memories of the western half of 166!

[@ssphoto66]

I visited the marker at the very beginning in April 2022. Looked exactly the same this time! However, I continued southwest through OK towards New Mexico. Thanks!

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

It’s a cool little landmark!

[@DebbieInOregon]

Very interesting video. Love small town history. I stayed at the Downstream Rv park last year on our travels and went to the three states meet point but did not get down 166. Thanks for the tour. Looking forward to part 2.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you! Part 2 is out now!

[@stevemccoy8138]

Very interesting video, Edna Kansas is a famous cattle town ,if I'm not mistaken the RR had a turntable there, along with cattle pens. Back in my younger years I hauled Cattle out of Coffeyville and South Coffeyville. Did you check out the Brown Mansion ? Thanks for the tour. 😊

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

I didn’t check it out unfortunately. Thanks for the info about the RR!

[@bigjimslade6250]

Enjoyable video. I drove US166 yesterday on my way home from Dexter, through Cedar Vale, Chetopa, Caney, Coffeyville, & Baxter Springs to access I-44 near the state line. I stop at the casino gas station across from the campground nearly every trip as the gas prices are great there. But I’m curious where to find the tri-state boundary marker. I don’t ever recall seeing it. My home county contains a tri-state marker but it’s in a river so it’s not very accessible.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thanks! The tri-state marker is down a dirt road off the road towards the casino (I think)

[@bigjimslade6250]

@@TravelwithaWiseguy Thanks. You & I have traveled a lot of the same roads this past year or so. I’ve been in Kansas pretty much entirely for the last 7 months but finally got to come home yesterday using Route 166 out of Cowley Co.

[@bigjimslade6250]

@@TravelwithaWiseguy I think that I found it in Apple Maps. It’s referred to as Stand in Three States on the map. The address SE 118th St Quapaw, OK 74363. Looks like you take the casino exit in the roundabout & then turn off onto State Line Rd. (Slightly different than State Line Rd in KC).

[@stevehilliard1495]

I always stop at Henry’s candy store going through Dexter, a family tradition

[@bigjimslade6250]

@@stevehilliard1495 Unfortunately I have heard that the candy company is going to close. It wasn’t open when I drive by yesterday but that was before business hours.

[@marysimon7601]

Thanks so much for the lovely trip down 166. Looking forward to part 2.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@castlebravocrypto1615]

Would you be able or willing to produce a video about the Benders?

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Are you talking about the Bloody Benders?

[@jljordan1]

Eagerly awaiting the next chapter, loved this one! 😊

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thanks!!

[@onrycodger]

Excellent! Too Cool!😎👍

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you! It was fun!

[@dawnburke6232]

Great video John 👏 Learned a lot and can’t wait to see some of this soon ! Coffeyville looks very interesting as well !

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thanks! Some cool history there for sure!

[@Giles29]

On the abandoned church, a lot of evangelical or Pentecostal churches have Wednesday evening services.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thanks!

[@kevinstreeter6943]

I live in KS and did not know about that marker.

[@ssphoto66]

Thanks!

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Wow thanks so much. Very generous you!

[@luigidaniels6570]

Native Kansas, guy specifically Wichita., moved 40 years ago to attend college, but considering retirement back there... cannot even compare it to California however, ready for $3.69 Gas prices and seeing how big family has grown...

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Whenever I go to California I can’t even imagine what it’s like to try and financially make it work there. This coming from someone who has never made a lot of money 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@ChristopherCollinsworth]

at 2.53 minutes crossing Spring River off to the right is the old baseball field (now soccer field) is where the Yankees office come to sign Mickey Mantle. Also few miles east of Coffeyville there is an old military runways still there.

[@andrewwebb17]

Now I understanding seeing the 166 signs recently driving 66 Very interesting byway Would love to know the backstory on captain.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

I agree and would like to know too!

[@tamarabrackett5768]

The government bought the town of picher..cause of lead mine shafts the ground was collapsing taking house down. I live in Baxter Springs.. my Grandmother told me stories of even Galena..from back in the day, it's a nice drive down 166.. Coffeeville has a lot of history..

[@erics1723]

I drive this stretch every week and haven’t bothered to stop at a lot of the places you find, but I will. Ever visited Big Brutus in West Mineral Ks? More than a mile off the trail but a neat piece of history.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

I’ve actually not been there yet but will someday!

[@impalaman9707]

Missouri, Kansas, and Oklahoma--my three favorite states! People have the mistaken notion that there is a four corners there, and there isn't. There is a good 30-35 miles of Northern Oklahoma that borders Missouri to the east. Kansas ends its southern border at the 37th parallel, leaving a gap between it and 36"30 where Arkansas northern border is. Now if Kansas had dropped in southern border to 36"30, then there would be a four corners

[@GabeGarrett-t7s]

Great video brother! 🎉🎊... Can you do an Edwards County KS video if you're in the area? 🤨🤨🤨🤨🤨

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Would love to someday. Part of my US 50 video series this year was there!

[@SamanthaTull]

Love the shirt…love pops. Was this the weekend of the new car battery?

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Haha yes the same day 😊

[@SamanthaTull]

@@TravelwithaWiseguy glad you got some good video.

[@rossbryan6102]

AN INTERESTING OKLAHOMA AND KANSAS BORDER RAILROAD STORY- IN THE 1860s THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WANTED AN RAILROAD BUILT SOUTH FROM THE KANSAS \KAW RIVER, TO THE GULF OF MEXICO ,TEXAS. THE FIRST RAILROAD CROSSING THE KANSAS - OKLAHOMA BORDER WOULD HAVE THE RIGHTS TO TO THE GULF, WITH THE LAND GRANTS. THE THREE RAILROADS TRYING TO BE FIRST WAS THE LEAVENWORTH, LAWRENCE, AND GALVESTON, THE KANSAS CITY FORT SCOTT AND MEMPHIS, (FRISCO) AND THE PREDECESSOR OF THE MKT-KATY RAILROAD. THE LL&G MADE IT TO CHERRYVALE KS AND WENT BUST, LATER TO BE TAKEN INTO THE SANTA FE RR. THIS LEFT THE KATY AND THE FRISCO ON AN NECK TO NECK RACE TO THE OKLAHOMA BORDER! THE FRISCO WAS THE CLOSEST TO THE BORDER , WITH THE KATY A BIT BEHIND THEM! AT THIS TIME IT WAS CLOSE TO CHRISTMAS AND THE KATY CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT STAFF DECIDED TO SPY ON THE FRISCO CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS. THE KATY GUYS DISGUISED THEMSELVES AS LOCAL NATIVE AMERICANS, AND RODE TO THE FRISCO, IN THE COLUMBUS KS AREA! THE FRISCO MANAGEMENT CREW ASKED THE KATY CREW WHERE THE BORDER WAS AND THE KATY CREW SHOWED THEM AN BORDER MARKER, THAT WAS VERY CLOSE TO THE END OF THE FRISCO CONSTRUCTION. THE FRISCO BUILT QUICKLY ACROSS THIS LINE , THINKING THEY HAD WON THE RACE! CROSSING THE BORDER THE LAID ALL THE CONSTRUCTION CREW OFF, UNTIL AFTER NEW YEARS DAY. THE FRISCO CREW THOUGHT THEY HAD WON, BUT THEY DID NOT KNOW THAT THIS WAS AN EARLIER KS- OKLAHOMA BORDER, BUT NOT THE NEWER BORDER , A VERY FEW MILES FURTHER SOUTH! THE KATY GUYS WENT BACK, WORKED THROUGH CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEARS, CROSSING THE TRUE BORDER AT CHETOPTA KS, AND WINNING THE OKLAHOMA AND TEXAS LAND GRANTS!

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Very interesting! Thanks so much for sharing!

[@rossbryan6102]

@@TravelwithaWiseguyI HAVE RAN 166 TWICE, END TO END ON MY TRUCK DELIVERY TRIPS!!

[@DebbieInOregon]

I’m very interested in railroad history. Thanks for the story!

[@rockerz57]

Wave as you go by my house!

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

👋🏼

[@PraiseDog]

The guy who lead the Baxter Springs massacre (Quantrill) is the same guy who in the same year killed 164 in Lawrence Kansas and burned the town, mostly civilians.

[@nancyfarrell4791]

The road construction is done

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Woohoo 🙌🏼

[@GrampaFuzzy]

if you want to know about those chat piles research Picher, Oklahoma. you should have stayed in your car

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Yes I’ve done an individual video about Picher previously

[@Fred-wy4ix]

Greenlawn Cemetery my friends ex wifes boy is buried there.

[@Partzman23]

👏👍❤️😎

[@robertdodd8169]

First video I’ve received in many months.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

I wonder why?

[@wakeup167]

interesting. in none of these old small towns is there graffiti or garbage or filth in general. wonder why. total mystery.

[@justnerdystuff]

Thank you for going to all these places, I have always dreamed of doing road tripping through the U.S., but always had a busy life and now that I'm old, it's just painful for me to get in and out of my car. So, thanks to KZbinrs like you, I get to vicariously go road tripping through your videos. That 'Township Hall" would be so creepy at night I imagine with all those tree branches, which at night would look like creepy skeletal arms. I wonder if it is haunted. 🤔😬🥸

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thanks so much for the kind words 😊 and yes that would be VERY creepy at night!

[@esse1900]

Thanks!

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Wow thank you so much for your generosity! It’s much appreciated!!