The Pittsburg State University Wind Ensemble is planning a free concert on Thursday, Feb. 16, that explores to what extent…
Author: Chris Wilson
PSU announces initiative to bring business college to downtown Pittsburg
Pittsburg State University is launching a bold new initiative to expand PSU’s educational footprint in downtown Pittsburg.
Self-Guided Tours
Historically preserved buildings with beautiful architecture. Gorilla statues and other monuments, plus murals. Whatever your interest, Crawford County, Kansas has it.
Little Balkans Days Festival seeking vendors
Applications for vendors are now open for the Little Balkans Days Festival over Labor Day Weekend in Pittsburg, Kansas.
Exhibit features portraits of superstars
An exhibit by celebrated photographers open Monday, February 6 at the Bicknell Family Center for the Arts at Pittsburg State University, 1711 S. Homer. Images from…
PSU Opera Theatre presents Gilbert and Sullivan’s H.M.S Pinafore
Posted on behalf of Pittsburg State University PSU Opera Theatre will take audiences to the open seas on Feb. 3…
Myth Or Fact?: Diamonds Are Made From Coal
Southeast Kansas and, in particular, Crawford County have a strong history in coal mining and the question, “Are diamonds made from coal?” often arises when discussing the topic.
World Radio Day (2/13): Making (radio) waves in Crawford County at KKOW
Originally posted February 12, 2017 to celebrate World Radio Day on February 13 Today a local favorite among country listeners,…
Growing Businesses Find Fertile Ground in Crawford County
Originally posted February 10, 2017 Many people associate Crawford County with the best of the Midwest: Close-knit communities, hardworking people,…
Miners Hall Museum quarterly exhibit: Of Money and Metals: Doing Business in the Mining Era
Join us as we begin 2023 with our first quarterly exhibit. “Of Money and Metals: Doing Business in the Mining Era”.
Request Explorer’s Guide
A FREE guide with tips on where to drink, eat, play, stay & get cool photos.
Unique habitat for outdoor recreation
This corner of the state was once primarily rolling fields of prairie grasses with wooded areas only along creeks, sitting on the edge of the Ozark Plateau.
Our Story
Southeast Kansas once looked and acted like the rest of the state, with prairies and farms as far as the eye could see. The search for coal changed everything.
Beginner’s guide to indoor track meet preparation
Eight weeks. Eight track meets. From February to March 2018, the coordinator for the Robert W. Plaster Center walked the equivalent of going from Pittsburg to Greensburg, Kansas – and back. Most likely, he walked even longer than that.
National Pie Day (1/23): The Best Pies in Crawford County
Originally posted January 20, 2017 to celebrate National Pie Day on January 23 As David Mamet wrote in Boston Marriage,…
National Bootlegger’s Day (1/17): Staying Wet in a Dry Land
Rich soil and wine making traditions of immigrants positioned Eastern Kansas to rival California’s Wine Country. 67 years of Kansas Prohibition changed that.
January 14, 1914 – 6 killed in Mulberry mining accident
On January 14, 1914, six men were killed in an accident at a deep shaft mine one mile south of Mulberry, Kansas.
Innovative Education – A biography of businessman Harvey Dean
Take a walk inside the Robert. W. Plaster Center and you will likely notice the name accompanying the track: Harvey Dean.
National Spaghetti Day (1/4): History of Pallucca’s Meat Market and Deli
Originally posted January 3, 2017 To celebrate National Spaghetti Day on January 4, we took a visit to Pallucca’s Meat…
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There’s always something going on in Crawford County, Kansas, you just have to know where to look.
The Amazon Army
Protesting unfit working conditions in area mines, thousands of women marched to block them. It’s a story that made statewide and national headlines.
Unconventional community guide earns tourism honor
A coloring book whose purpose is to teach guests and local children about Southeast Kansas recently won a statewide marketing award.
Pittsburg Multigenerational Choir to perform at PSU
Returning to the Bicknell Family Center for the Arts for a concert on Oct. 19 is the Pittsburg Multigenerational Chorus with “It’s a Swing Thing,” featuring jazz standards and Big Band favorites.
Model T Club to tour Southeast Kansas
Several Antique Model T’s will be seen throughout Southeast Kansas during the week of September 7-11, 2022.
Arma 75th Annual V-J Homecoming
A 75-year celebration marks the end of War World II, and the joy of coming home.
Little Balkans Festival Photo Contest goes digital
The Little Balkans Days Festival in Pittsburg, Kansas is seeking entries for one of its most popular events – the photo contest.
Plaster Center: If you build it, they will come
This week, the Plaster Center staff are rolling out the “green carpet” to vendors and attendees of the 36th Annual Four State Farm Show at what just might be the largest event that the building has hosted to date.
Big Kansas Road Trip moves to Southeast Kansas
From May 5-8, 2022, the Big Kansas Road Trip will showcase Bourbon, Cherokee and Crawford counties in Southeast Kansas.
Crawford County Tourism optimistic about 2021
Though lodging suffered in 2020 due to the pandemic, several destination businesses adjusted to the market and/or made changes to their marketing strategy.
100 year celebration of the Amazon Army
An exhibit at Miners Hall Museum in Franklin tells this story, which received national attention, and honors these women who marched to end unfair labor practices in local mines.
Fictional tale inspired by Southeast Kansas fried chicken
Learn the real story behind “The Chicken Sisters”, as well as the real story behind Southeast Kansas chicken: Kansas fried chicken drives narrative of novel.
Bootlegging exhibit comes to Pittsburg museum
Bootlegging in the Kansas Balkans in the 19th and 20th centuries comes alive for the first time in an exhibit at the Crawford County Historical Museum in Pittsburg.
The Coldest Gorilla Century Ever
More than 460 cyclists took part in an annual ride through Crawford and Cherokee counties. Normally held in September, this year’s ride was in October – and it was cold.
Consultant recommends multi-purpose event space
Due to the lack of a large, flexible conference space connected to a hotel, Crawford County has missed opportunities to host many state-wide & regional events. That may change.
Crawford County boutique named the 2020 Best Store Front Boutique of the Year in Kansas
After more than 250,000 votes were cast by shoppers, Pearls & Curls Boutique on the Girard, Kansas square was named the Best Store Front to Shop in Kansas.
Celebrating das Vaterland on German-American Day
Imagine the U.S. without polka. A nation without the waltz, or lager-style beer. Or worst of all, brats!
Bicycle Routes through Southeast Kansas getting Wayfinding signage
Nearly 500 miles of the national U.S. Bicycle Route System is being signed through Kansas, including USBR-76, which primarily follows the same route as the TransAmerica Bicycle Trail and Trans Am Bike Race through the southeast corner of the state.
Popular roadside attraction now in Frontenac
A fiberglass Sinclair DINO (pronounced DYE-NO) now lives at Raider Express in Frontenac, Kansas. Around 580 DINOs are on display any given year – 16 in Kansas.
New historical marker at Lord’s Diner promotes Jefferson Highway
A new marker at the Lord’s Diner in Downtown Pittsburg hopes to be a reminder about a mostly forgotten piece of transportation history. The non-profit kitchen is located in what was originally built around 1915 as the Jefferson Highway Garage.
Southeast Kansas “chicken wars” makes international headlines
For a short time on April 30, 2020, “America’s ‘fried chicken war'” was a top headline on the homepage of BBC.com, one of the most visited news sites across the globe.
Outdoor recreation an option for physical distancing
Enjoy a natural habitat unlike the rest of Kansas at more than 30 community parks, 50 miles of shoreline along 1,500 acres of public water, and several trails.
Groundbreaking set for first storm shelter at a Kansas state park
Six years ago, Aggie Keesling had a dream, and that dream is about to come true. On Saturday, September 21, ground breaking for the new storm shelter, the first storm shelter at any state park in Kansas, will take place.
Record-breaking summer for tourism in Crawford County
A busy summer in Crawford County has led to a record number of visitors, with June totals surpassing 10,000 room nights in a month for only the second time in history.
Travel generates $10 billion in Kansas
This is National Travel & Tourism Week, a celebration of a growing sector in the Kansas economy. In Kansas, travel is a $10…
Foundation honoring #9 Dylan Meier to celebrate 9th 5K run
Get Busy Livin’ announces its 9th Annual 5K Run, Friendship Walk and Kids Fest to begin at 8:30 am on…
Student-run baseball club teams play for the love of the game, even in the World Series
Originally posted: May 13, 2018 PITTSBURG, Kan. – For the first time, several local high school graduates are representing Pittsburg…
Mules in the Mines: The Unsung Heroes
An unsung hero in pre-steam power, pre-electricity United States, the mule was a catalyst for growth in many American industries.…
Then and Now: Crawford County’s Department Stores
Despite competition with online shopping options, today’s shoppers are still heavily reliant on brick and mortar department stores. Historically, department…
It’s a Grand Old Time at the Arma V-J Homecoming
Arma’s annual V-J Homecoming is a celebration of special importance. Having existed since 1946, the event is one of a…
A New Century of the Crawford County Fair
The Crawford County Fair is celebrating Year 1 of a new century. 2017 marks the 101st annual Crawford County Fair…
Lace up your shoes! Running in Crawford County
Crawford County is home to many recreational and competitive runners. From those who are looking to get fit (or find…
The Water Supply of Bone Creek Reservoir
Of the many lakes in the local area, Bone Creek Reservoir is one of the most important to Crawford and…
Digging Into the Outdoors at the Mined Land Wildlife Area
Sharp hills and thin lakes dot a well-used 14,500 acres of land in Crawford and Cherokee Counties. The area is…
Happy Walnut Day
Happy Walnut Day! We’re nuts about our small towns in Crawford County and on National Walnut Day we’re celebrating Walnut,…
A Passion to Teach – A Passion to Care
At Pittsburg State University’s Spring Commencement this morning, you are bound to see several graduation caps decorated with glittering apples,…
2017 Faces of Tourism in Crawford County
Crawford County Convention & Visitors Bureau Executive Director B.J. Harris understands the importance of tourism to Kansas: “Tourism in our…
Socialist Press – Girard’s Appeal to Reason
Girard in the early 1900s was primarily a quiet home for the well-off, the retired merchants and farmers, and other…
Raising Sport Stock at the Farlington Fish Hatchery
Anglers visiting Crawford State Park are lucky to find a variety of sport fish in Crawford State Fishing Lake to…
Conserving the Nation’s Land – Crawford State Park and the Civilian Conservation Corps
A sunny sky, 75 degrees, and gentle breeze on April 10th can tempt almost anyone to the great outdoors. For…
A Complete Collection of Beer On Tap
Downtown Pittsburg’s 5th Street Bar and Grill is home to an incredible selection of local and national beer brands. With…
Riches Underground, Fertile Ground Above: Agriculture’s History in Crawford County
Midwestern United States has long been known as the breadbasket of the country. Fertile land and mild weather produces healthy…
Restoring a Treasure at the Colonial Fox Theatre
“You can tell the world that Pittsburg has one of the finest theatres in [the] Southwest.” That was the Pittsburg…
Treasuring Local Art
Often encompassing the spirit and uniqueness of the community, local art is something to treasure. Since last spring, downtown Pittsburg…
National Meat Week
Meat lovers rejoice! It’s the one week of the year that is all about your favorite savory, smoky, meaty meals.…
Big Brutus: Think Big
Enjoy this in depth look at one of Southeast Kansas’ biggest tourist attractions. Beccy Tanner from The Wichita Eagle, tackles…
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