History of Wichita, Kansas In historical accounts of Wichita, we see that the area was inhabited by human presence as early as 3000 BC. The native people of this area were known as the Quivira or Wichita people. A Spanish man named Francisco Vasquez De Coronado discovered their existence after an expedition through the region in 1541. The city was named after the Native American tribe Wichita. It is a Choctaw word and means 'big ardor' or 'big platform' in reference to the grass arbors the Wichita people built. But, this was not a new development, as archaeologists found evidence of trading for thousands of years in the area prior to discovering the grass arbors. Wichita also has a reputation for its manufacturing and exporting industries, which was apparent to visitors to the region. As settlers traveled through the prairies on their way to the west, they recognized the profits made from trading with the native population. This recognition led people to establish a settlement there in the year 1866. J.R. Mead founded a trading post along the banks of the Arkansas and Little Arkansas Rivers, and it remained the trading place for Native Americans for centuries. In July 1870, Wichita was incorporated as a third-class city. One hundred and twenty-three men and one woman signed the original incorporation petition. Interestingly, this woman Catherine McCarty was the mother of the renowned and famous 'Billy the Kid.' Within one year of incorporation, due to the cattle trade from Texas, Wichita experienced a massive population increase. Because of this, it became a second-class city in 1872. This cowboy town then fell on challenging times in the late 1870s when the cattle trade moved further west. But by 1880 it had rebounded due to growth in agricultural and manufacturing industries. In the 1900's we saw the rise of aviation enterprises and entrepreneurship in general. However, its legacy of commerce continues to keep Wichita prosperous until today, affording its citizens the best living conditions.

Home to some of America's best attractions, it isn't easy to narrow down the choices in Wichita. There is so much to experience, including parks and zoos, performing arts centers, galleries and museums, and everything in between. These three come highly recommended:

Botanica: Found in the heart of Wichita, this botanical paradise is Kansas' best-kept secret. It has nine acres of spectacular foliage and trees, featuring themed gardens like the Butterfly Garden, Sensory Garden, and Shakespeare Garden, to name a few.

Century 2 Performing Arts and Convention Center: If you are looking for performing arts entertainment, this Center is where to look for it. Its five separate performance spaces host everything from theatre to operas and ballets.

Field Station – Dinosaurs: Located in Derby, just a few miles south of Wichita, this attraction is home to forty thrilling life-size animatronic dinosaur displays. Reputed to be a one-of-a-kind experience, innovative science meets inventive minds and is a world-class attraction you should attend!