Exploring the backroads of Woodson County, Kansas ||| Part 1 

Good evening, My name is Kevin Dawson. As a child, I lived two summers 1974 and 1975 in Neosho Falls in the camp ground. It was wonderful like a Tom Sawyer story. I fished at the dam, and ran amuck all over Neosho Falls. Nobody ever cared that I would go into the abandoned buildings to find treasures, or spiders, or snakes. I found an entire roll of Wheat Pennies that all had the same date in one of the old abandoned buildings. I snuck out of there with the Pennies like I stole a billion dollars. I fished under the falls for dinner almost every day. I never got tired of eating white bass. Your video of the falls and the abandoned buildings is pretty much the same it was in the mid 70’s and all this childhood memories come flooding back. My father was a locomotive engineer for the Missouri Pacific Railroad, which is the east-west railroad that ran from Wichita to Yates Center originally was built by the St. Louis, Ft. Scott and Wichita Railway. I believe that the railroad was a shell company financed by New York financier Jay Gould because the construction was in the 1880’s and early 1890’s. He also owned the Missouri Pacific Railroad until he died in 1892. OK, I’m not a history expert like yourself. But I do enjoy railroad history. For transparency, I also worked as a locomotive engineer and manager with the Missouri Pacific Railroad and Union Pacific Railroad for 43 years. I also worked on this same railroad from Wichita to Moran, KS. East of Moran was abandoned I think I recall was due to Mill Creek or Hickory Creek washing away the railroad bridge sometime I’m guessing in the 1960’s. But it may have been earlier. This line was a major route for passenger trains from St Louis to Wichita. The train was called the Sunflower Eagle. It operated from St Louis to Pleasant Hill to Nevada to Fort Scott to Wichita where it terminated. It had a connecting Sunflower Eagle that ran from Wichita to Hutchinson to Geneseo where it connected with the Colorado Eagle, and then it returned to Wichita. I think when the bridge washed out, all passenger trains stopped running from St Louis to Wichita and Wichita to Geneseo were permanently suspended. My mother was born in Fort Scott and then moved to Yates Center where she lived for a few years before moving to Wichita. Her father, my Grandfather was also a locomotive engineer for the Missouri Pacific Railroad. Back to Woodson County, Pique (I always pronounced it as Pick way) had a connection with the line that ran southeast to Humboldt. This was the original Missouri Kansas and Texas railway. When the MKT abandoned the line, the Missouri Pacific Railroad took over servicing the Monarch Concrete Plant in Humboldt sometime between 1967 and 1971. Durand is not abandoned. It’s a place where the Union Pacific Railroad uses to store unneeded cars or for block swapping of cars from one train that is needed on another train. The cemetery in Neosho Falls was named the Cedarvale Cemetery, which I thought was odd. I’m guessing many of the graves were marked with wooden markers and no longer there. I don’t know how I came across your videos, but I know they make my heart ache because so much I remember that you discuss is gone. It’s like Kansas and even us who are so fond of it, feel the state and our lives are disposable. The things we did with such care and effort and sacrifice we put into them didn’t matter. But it’s nice knowing you care enough to tell the story. Thank you Kevin

Driving through Kansas, there is a lot of history, it is finding a hidden treasure..

Church was great. Really look forward to watching your channel in the morning with a cup of coffee and a medicinal 😮

Absolutely fantastic video, John. Neosho Falls was beautiful, Piqua totally interesting history, and the video ended perfectly with the old school. The drone shots ❤ Loved all of it!

Played the Knights of Columbus building in Piqua with different bands years ago. Nice big dance floor. People would come from all over the area. Not sure if they still have dances there.

Hey coach. Good still shots I like the old utility poles and oil rigs. The Buster Keaton clips were good. This is one of the more quiet areas you have documented. Some good drone.Be well.

As one of your train buffs, thanks for another interesting installment. When I went through Neosho Falls over 30 years ago, I got this weird chill looking at the abandoned buildings but yet in wonder. Thanks for mentioning both the Katy and the Santa Fe lines in your history. In your visit to Vernon, your video caught a brief glimpse of the old depot moved to the middle of town, not in good shape. Durand I believe was created when the Missouri Pacific Railroad relocated their main line from the middle of Yates Center to the east bypassing the town in 1903, to ease the stiff grades. Hasty just happened to be the north spot where the new main track diverged east, but the MP called it Yates Center Jct. North. The east-west railroad crossing at Durand used to have a passenger depot and the railroad was basically abandoned in the mid-1990s and went through Athens and Piqua. The old Piqua depot was moved just north of the elevators for storage. The driveway you saw south of Piqua was definitely the old Katy RR grade that went to Humboldt's Monarch cement plant and lasted until 1993. Anxious for Part 2, sir!

GW County girl here. We discovered a sad bit of Civil War history just East of Toronto Lake, a place called Fort Row. Worth a look.

I played in bands several times in Pick way, that is how it pronounced. We played New Year’s Eve 1999-2000. Long drive home to the far SE corner of KS. Yes they still have dances.

Good video, will watch out for Part 2. My mothers family is all from the Piqua area (we pronounce it Pick-Way) and I have lots of family in both the west of town cemetery as well as the cemetery behind St. Martin's. Silverado's in Piqua has good food and is a nice watering hole. Quite a few German folks came here in the late 1800's to make a life farming the Kansas prairie.

well it finally happened john.........im on youtube and subscribed officially. could you tell us alittle about that map you use?

That bar and restaurant is a great place to eat

BEAUTIFUL CHURCH .THANKS MR WISEGUY 😊

Love your videos sir. I have been to Neosho before about 10 years ago. I used to do a lot more exploring of towns like that before my child was born. Your videos make me want to get back into it! Thanks 🙏🏻

My grandfather was born and raised in Piqua (pronounced Pic-Way) on a farm close by. He then raised his family in Iola where a large number of my relatives still live.

Love these videos. So many cemeteries! Thanks for sharing. Looking forward to part 2

Durand did have a post office and the railroad isn't abandoned. It is still a main hub. It had a school that was right across the road from the railroad.

Kids still walk to school. Every military school I went to we had to walk a mile or more. We had some unofficial dangerous short cuts for when we were late. Drove people crazy.

So glad you have the philosophy of stopping at every dot on the map!!!! I really enjoy this!

Great video, following dusty roads looking for hidden treasures of the history kind. You found some great places. Love the old cemeteries and of course your great drone work. Stay safe and GOD bless

What, no playground equipment? So disappointing....... 😆 Seriously, another great video. I love it when you try and find the "dots on the map." Sometimes you just never know what you're gonna find. Thanks John, see you next time!

Dying young ... they didn't have medical like we do to day.

Great video! My wife's grandma was born in Piqua. And her Grandpa was from up in Geneva, but that's in Allen county. The Rose train depot was moved up to Yates Center. Thanks!

I love watching your videos and content. I'm from Fredonia, in Wilson County Kansas, and I would love to see you do a video for Wilson County.

Hello from Tennessee I have been under the weather so I am going to catch up on your awesome videos your really appreciated for sharing these places with us ✌️

Thank you! Home of my ancestors. Can't wait for part 2. I will share with the YC and Woodson FB pages.

My parents are buried behind St. Martin,s Church.Lucille,and Anthony Herman. We live in Piqua for a long time. I went to school there.

Another fascinating video, thanks John

This is what I know about Durand, KS railroad wise. Two roads crossed there, both owned by the Missouri Pacific. Union Pacific bought MP in the 1980's and ran both lines until it abandoned the east-west line in the mid 1990's. The north-south line is used for directional operation and is for northbound traffic. Southbound traffic uses to old MKT through Parsons.

Born in Independence. Family in Iola and UnionTown and Witchita. Dad lived in Fredonia for some time with his girlfriend. Lived in Burrton growing up around the time of Heston tornado. I can't tell you how many times I've been fishing near that low water dam in Neosho Falls growing up😂. Probably stood right where you were standing at the beginning. I like going exploring every time I go back to Kansas to visit family, or take farm roads there and back. A lot of cool stuff. I remember in Independence, there was an abandoned barn and hay field across the street from our house. It's all suburbia now. Check out east side of Iola. Cities a lot bigger now than it was in the 80s and 90s, but some nice older houses on that side of town. Uniontown is still pretty small. A lot of dads family buried North of there. I think oldest gave is late 1700s? Check out Independence park/zoo. Thar place was massive compared to the size of the town growing up. They trained chimps for NASA there. Used to have a stripped jet and steam engine you could climb all over, but I haven't been back there in years. I've walked those railroads near Durand a few times.

Really love all the cemeteries you shared in this! I'm struck again by these old buildings.. it's a testament to how much pride people took in building things that these abandoned structures are able to survive as well as they do. The church at 22:12 looks as though someone was living in it at some point (?). Thank you for the sweet puppies, lovely drone shots (the one moving up the river was my fave), and inspiration / education! 🎉

Keep them coming KS born and raised

Lots of nice stonework on that abandoned homestead right before the church at 22:00. That church reminded me of Alice's Restaurant (the movie) except the garbage has already been taken to the dump. Luckily, the current owners weren't at home, OR ARMED! This is a great video! Thanks for sharing, John!!

Great video of Woodson County, Kansas!!! 😊

I’m amazed at the condition people left these communities when they departed. Other than the natural decomposition of wood, metal, and rock structures, everything is in pristine condition. This says a lot about the character of the people that settled this region of the nation. If you’re not convinced, take a drive through the decaying towns and cities of the southern, western, and eastern parts of our nation and see for yourself (trash, filth, and decay almost everywhere).

Good to see you back again!

Another great video John. Looking forward to part 2!

Loved the country road trip throughout Woodson County, Kansas. What an adventure. Kevin's history was unique addition. Another interesting part of Kansas.

Thanks for doing this series of videos. I absolutely loved this one. 😎👍

My grandparents were Catholic Kress family members from Piqua. They then lived most of their lives in Yates Center.

One summer I worked the old scale house. When Cantrell Hay was using the barns there. To store Hay.

Great video! Found me a few more towns to hit thanks to your video. Keep up the great work!

I love it when you go to these dots!!! ❤❤

Thanks! Very interesting county John. Thanks for sharing your travels with us.🙂

My Mother-in-law's family moved to Neosho Falls in the early 1900s.

Great vid -you really captured the poetry of the landscape. Someone in a FB group told me about it. Loved the dog running at the end.

This was really informative. Great videos and I really like your delivery. It was interesting to watch.

A very well done/very interesting video of Woodson county Kansas.

You do such a great job. I love your Kanas videos.

Awesome. Fascinating. Thank u.

Locally, Piqua is pronounced Pik-way. Grew up in Iola/Gas/LaHarpe, been to funerals at the big Piqua church. Behind where you were standing by the river at Neosho Falls, there's a clearing that people used to use for camping in the 70s and 80s. We would walk down to the river and fish from that very bank you were standing on.

Church in pique

Very interesting video. I really enjoyed walking down some old roads and dilapidated buildings..❤❤

Per usual, your commitment to exploring is immensely appreciated John! There were so many bonus locations shown in this video, to your credit! For the finale to be an incredible old stone schoolhouse was perfect! Wood structures simply can't compete in terms of charm and character. Great thanks for the journey!

thankyou well done again

Great video coach. My family settled in woodson County coming from Ohio many years ago

Well done! Carry on and best of luck!

Interesting video, the Catholic church as well as the amazing dilapidated stone structures really struck me for how beautiful one still is, and what craftsmanship was involved with each. The difference being one is still well cared for, and one long abandoned. Oh, and as a WSU alum, happy to see the Wu- shock logo.😊

Coach, I'd like to share some wisdom, I learned from a wise old man here in Oklahoma. When the world's flying beasts are directly over head, do not look up. You can very well receive a face full of unwanted attention (bird poo)! 🐦🪿🦅💩

Born & raised in Greenwood County. I'm very familiar with Woodson County. Thanks for sharing your story.

i enjoy your videos i moved last month from nj to a small town in kansas

I lived in Durand in the early 90s and the railroad tracks were still used at that time.

Another interesting and Cool😎 video!👍

Neosho Falls is having its town fair September 14 this year. We’d be happy to see you.

You should check out the, “in the beginning” books.

Love all your videos, thanks for the memories. Used to live in Woodson Co. years ago. Just wanted to let you know that the correct way to say Piqua is "Pikway". I know I made the same mistake first time I met someone from there. I was born and raised in Wichita and went to WSU freshman year.

That dog was winning. lol

The 'Brisco & Bradshaw' theme music is throwing me off. I feel like I'm watching the wrong YT channel...😂 And 'That Chapter' music too...😂

Really good video 👍👍👍

Just found your channel, it was suggested by RU-vid.👍 Relevant suggestion for a few reasons, this is the kind of content I do watch, and I moved to the Kansas City area in 2010, so I am close.👍 I look forward to checking out some of the places you have videos on in person. I like weird and quirky things I find as I travel, looks like you do as well.👍 If you ever get a chance, go to Uranus, MO. They embrace every pun you could come up with for that place.🤣🤣🤣

So interesting! I've lived in Yates Center for over 40 years and my better half has lived his life here. I told Bob we should follow your path and he said hmmm (which means no). Durand is still active as a train fuel stop and crew change location. At least twice in my memory, big steam engines have cruised through Durand. I took my kids when they were young to see one. I was tickled to see you got to go in St. Martin's in Piqua. I've been there twice. My daughter was confirmed there and later I went to a wedding there. There used to be an old school on the north side. My daughter and her dad practiced her pitching there in the winter. Looking forward to the rest of the WoCo series!

Thanks!

Good job Mr Wise

Coach, the dots are the reason to visit! We may be kindered spirits! I too like railroad history, I've seen the term "siding" for a tiny, almost settlement, next to the platform (siding) for freight transfer. As always...

Really nice video, but I like them long. Do more malls. Doesn't have to be long, 1 trip around the inside and then tell us what is open/closed. Be good, be safe !!

I know it doesn't have any connection to Neosho Falls, KS, but my mother's brother was killed in WWII when the ship he was on, the USS Neosho, was bombed in the Battle of the Coral Sea. I always thought it was an odd word. Interesting video. St. Martin's church is beautiful. Love the old buildings. Thanks again.

I live in neosho falls and I grew up in Vernon right next to the rr tracks and lived there till 10 years ago, the house is gone but many memories

If the walls could talk!! Kinda sad that these communities have died. 😢

i turn 39 as of june 2nd this year and i have live my entire life in Kansas and i have never even hear of some of these counties you visit in this video

Those abandoned RR yards were probably used for cattle cars, or grain cars, maybe coal mining was in that area ? Regarding the country school, they were everywhere, I went to two of them myself in Missouri. Rural America is falling apart in many places. The homesteaders have all passed and the descendants have moved to the city in many places. Great story. Have a Great Day. 😊

Old churches and old cemeteries are peaceful places.

The Old St Martin's Cemetery was located there as the Church was right down the road to the east. The Church burnt and a new was built in 1922. The children records burned so there are no records of burials. Children on oneside adults on the other.

Defiance, KS had a History I'm thinking, it was also used in a number of Western Movies. Although they are fiction, they routinely used real towns in their stories. I will look this one up "?"

Really interesting video of Kansas. It’s sad that the state representatives of Kansas aren’t trying to keep people from moving out of the small communities.

I'm assuming the "sticks" are water.. towers? Are they just pumps or something? Never seen anything like that. :)

Do you like that GMC your driving?

Locally we pronounce Piqua as Pick way.

Durand could leave you hungry like the wolf, but you could get satiated in Cookeville, you know what I mean Vernon? A Rose by any other name would still smell like Defiance. Alas If one had to Piqua between Ridge or Neosho Falls, I believe that river would float your boat right out of Woodson County.

How do I get your newsletter? It was posted but just in a flash. NO time to get it copied

It is interesting and sad at the same time showing the decline of America .

Most Counties had a increase in the 1920's because of the oil boom. Guess there always has to be an oddball. .

I wonder what’s happened with all those houses that had all those 8,000 people that are now gone

Lots of abandoned buildings in west Kansas

That one church with the furniture in it, could someone be living there or could it be Amish?

Stock loading ...grain dump...lay over spot.

When I look at these old towns and dilapidated buildings, I think maybe a tornado took them out.

Your cornering the market cemetaries.

We need to bring small towns back to life before foreign squatters come.

I know its not intuitive, but I've always heard it pronounced Pick-Way.

If it's on church grounds it a graveyard, not a cemetery.