I visited some small, really interesting towns in rural Kansas. The Atlantic article "Saint Marys Kansas and Christian Withdrawal": www.theatlantic.com/magazine/... Towns visited: Saint Marys Wamego Onaga Holton Travel Vlog 169
Wamego is great around Christmas and their 4th of July fireworks are the best in Kansas! I live just about an hour north of Wamego and always enjoy my time there and Manhattan! You did a great job showing how this part of Kansas is not what most people think when they think of Kansas! Great job Lord Spoda!
Impossible for any solid and sensible mature gentleman to avoid stepping in and enjoying a beer in an establishment called The Cockeyed Pig. Heartwarming to see that not all of rural America is disintegrating. The towns shown were all picturesque and charming with nearly all of their central, commercial buildings architecturally intact even to their ornamental detail. Fascinating to know that St. Mary's, a town with such a unique culture, exists. Would not have known but for your video. My debt to you increases.
The SSPX is masonic in nature ask one of the prominent Catholic apologist in the Philippines Bro Alvin Gitamondoc. He knows who they really are and it's more of political in nature according to my late mentor Reverend Roman Carter OP a Dominican friar. I went to an all girls Catholic highschool it wasn't so bad at all 😊 but the discipline of the nuns was tough however they gave us good values that shaped me and my batch mates who we are today
As some one who went to college there let me correct some facts you got wrong. 1 Modern music is not forbidden explicitly, but bad lyrics does make it forbidden (sexualy explicit or swearing cursing ect) 2. they are recognized by the Pope and the Vatican as Catholic, but thier standing is considered irregular. 3. Alcohol absolutely is NOT forbidden (Catholic invented most modern drinks after all) but getting drunk is very much frown upon.
Exactly! Alcohol is not bad. Abuse and misuse is bad. As a So Bapt, I have a Catholic friend who reminded of the Council that influenced this town and why that rumor exists. He is half right. But no drinking in a strong Catholic town? I knew a fact had to be wrong. But still a great town to raise a family!! My Catholic friend is a priest from Nebraska. He claimed that any one that followed the early church Council that established this idea, he would NOT be recognized as a priest. In fact, the Vatican would declare this town heretical.
im a very godly man and horror movies have to go out the window including halloween and even action movies where there is violence.Those are demonic my friend and you just dont even know it..thanks god bless
The old buildings (houses, barns, city buildings) in Kansas are virtually all built of LIMESTONE rock. Very common in the late 1800;s. Stone Masons was a demanded trade in those days. Each of the County Seats in all 105 Kansas Counties have their own Courthouse usually built of the same material.
I grew up in NE Kansas. I went to a small Christian school and we’d go to St Mary’s and play them in basketball. Very religious. They’d have a priest pray and bless every game. They were actually a very good team and it was a very competitive game. We were 2 of the top 3 teams in our conference. NE Kansas is a great place. Glad you enjoyed it. We take a lot of pride in our anti-slavery history and hence we are very pro-Union. Our cultural and historical connections to the NE of the country may surprise some. A lot of locals consider themselves northerners as much as midwesterners.
I just started watching your videos recently. I enjoy them to relax. As I was watching this episode it occurred to me how nice these must be for those who are home bound due to age or physical ailment. Fortunately I still get up and out but as I slow down I think more about those people that are more isolated. Your videos must mean a lot to those that are unable to make these trips themselves. Thank you 😃
Yes, I believe so, Kimberly. There was a time when I had terrible family/money problems and was stuck home a lot with no vehicle. I hadn't heard of Lord Spoda back then but followed a trucker to feel like I was getting out with something to see and look forward to. So I know how it is, although I'm blessed to have been able to solve my problems and travel again. I wish I had had LS to follow back then, because his videos are right up my alley and he knows most of us will never be able to get to all these small towns so takes care to let us see them through his eyes, and with such interesting background information. Such a blessing.
My father grew up in SE Kansas. The town is Garnett in Anderson County. He was born in Chanute, KS. So, I spent some time there as a kid. As usual, your presentation is superb and informative. Thanks for the nostalgic trip.
I love this! I used to work for a water filtration company, and I drove all over the Midwest to fix machines. A lot of the towns you feature are towns I've been through for work, and wanted to know more about them. So, this really works out!!
You should have taken a walk downtown St Mary's, there are a few great places to eat and shop! Sugar Creek (for an old fashion sandwich, ice cream, & candy store,) MJ's Coffee, B&B (the best burgers,) Ticino (the only Mediterranean restaurant in KS,) Froggy's (great Tex-mex food,) El Corral, and Casa Hernandez (with great authentic Mexican food.)
I remember St. Mary's being mentioned in Laura Ingalls Wilder's book "On The Way Home". In the book---she describes Saint Mary's as "strange, Catholic--and altogether Southern". (keep in mind---she was taking a wagon trip from South Dakota to Missouri at this time---so from her perspective---Saint Mary's was SOUTHERN"!
Joey, another fact for you. Rev. Henry Ward Beecher, a financial backer for the town who helped smuggle rifles past pro-slavery forces in crates marked Beecher's Bibles and consequently the rifles themselves became known as Beecher's Bibles. Wabaunsee was staunchly anti-slavery and became part of the Underground Railroad in late 1856 and helped Lawrence after Quantrill's Raid.
Wow! I had no idea about St. Mary's. The community of Wamego looks interesting. Love the architecture found in the small towns you visited in this video.
Hello, I enjoyed your video! I live in the town of St. Mary's and am a member of the Catholic parish there. Just wanted to say that we most definitely do drink alcohol, we just believe in moderation. So drinking excessively to the point of getting "drunk" and losing your reason is not okay. Otherwise we certainly enjoy alcoholic drinks 😄. I'm glad you toured our little growing town, I do love it myself! Feel free to come back and visit again, maybe when the new church opens in May. I would highly reccomend touring the inside, it's going to be quite impressive!
I mean unless your kids have no plans on moving out one they’re grown then yeah one might be able to see the draw to live there. Otherwise, they’re going to struggle once they’re forced to live outside of their bubble and if you’re lucky they won’t resent you.
@@2011e92M3, there is also a good public education system there, and the majority of the town and surrounding community use the public schools. People respect each other in these small communities and are supportive. The larger cities that are east and west are where a good portion of the people work, but they choose these smaller communities as a choice, a chance to get away from some of the bigger city problems. But for sure, it isn’t for everyone. Peace
@@2011e92M3many people move their to get away from what’s outside the bubble. Many! People grow up on other parts of the USA and come here to raise a family in a good town. Rare now a days
I grew up in Wichita. My dad used to drive to Winfield and Emporia (he was a radiologist) and would go to these small towns around Kansas. I enjoy your videos.
After watching quite a few of your vlogs , I have come to the conclusion your are singerly gifted at finding places that are lived in ...attractions and so on ...closed.
Didn't know rural Kansas was so quaint. Some really nice up kept towns. Surprised at the low poverty rates and higher income levels.Thanks for sharing!
Hi Lord Spoda Wow! Rural Kansas is indeed a feast to eyes. A good day spent with you. It was so fascinating to see that every corner and shop in downtowns are occupied and functioning. Wamego is so nice. Prairie Town is so cool. It seems to be a living history. As you said every small town has its uniquely own personality. But for you, never we would have got a chance go know about these lively rural Kansas small towns. Thanks for the nice video and the interesting commentary along with it.
Consider the time of day and temperatures. Many people have 'day jobs' that keep them indoors. Perhaps, if the video were made between 4:30 pm to 6 pm, you'd see more of the citizens. In Kansas, the temperature gets very cold and wind chill can make being outdoors unbearable.
Hello from a "Holtonian"! Thank you for visiting! A bit of information about the big house you pointed out at 33:33 , in Holton, right before you visited The Cockeyed Pig. Years and years ago, it was a funeral home, and in recent years it was used as a bed and breakfast before the current owners turned it into the beautiful home it is today. Also, the building connected to "The Pig", on the corner there, is a museum. Love your videos! May good fortune be with you on all of your travels! Have a blessed 2023!
The rock you see many buildings made of are blocks of limestone. Limestone is abundant in Kansas. I've often wondered if the 'Yellow Brick Road' was a reference to the color of natural limestone in Kansas?
Here is my silly thought on how clean all these tiny towns appear in Kansas- the wind ! (due to fav movie Wizard of Oz) their towns are clean bec the wind blows all street riffwrappers clear out of town lol Pardon my humour I'm silly ol' Lady but loving these vids & Kansas is so attractive.
I've lived in Topeka Kansas since 1996, and did not know about St Mary's religious affiliation. I knew that they had a Catholic school there but nothing else. Wow! If you ever decide to do a Mississippi river drive, I recommend taking the Illinois country road 96 From just outside Keokuk,Is to Navoo, Illinois. It's a pretty drive and Naval has the Latter Day Saints village to checkout.
Fun gamer fact about Topeka Kansas: This was the first city to receive the first shipments of the wildly popular game Pokemon Red and Blue versions in the United States! "TopekaCHU!"
Thank you so much for this video tour! I've wanted to visit Wamego for many years and definitely want to get down there this year. It was nice to get a taste of what the town has to offer. Thanks!
I am currently in Portland for college, I am a freshman and just got here a little over three months ago! I am from Kansas and the day before I left I chose to go to Wamego (pronounced wo-meee-go), to the wizard of oz meusuem. It's just a cheesy little day trip and I thought it was fitting before I left! Me and my parents drove all over north east ks. such a good memory. thanks for the video.
Really enjoyed this presentation Lord Spoda - did not know about your channel until a friend DMd me a link. St. Mary's is an anomaly in the modern world. Not a place of withdrawal as the Atlantic would have you understand it, but a place where families can raise their children in the Traditional Catholic Faith. A low unemployment rate is due in large part to the base of successful Catholic businessmen who provide a living wage for those large families. They are both foundational and humble and it was the Society of St. Pius X that breathed new life into this town, which has such a rich Catholic history already.
Thanks for this video! Three years ago, a Church friend of mine took me to Northeast Kansas on my vacation from work. We stayed at a motel in Wamego for about a week and daily attended Church with the SSPX parish in St. Mary's! I had a great time up there. I much rather live in a small town like St. Mary's than any Sodom and Gomorrah big city.
As as Kansan who has lived in these towns and others, these towns are some of the wealthiest in KS. Pottawatomie county has had the highest economic and demographic growth rate per capita in the state for some time. Unfortunately, most rural KS towns aren't this well off. If you go west of Manhattan, you will find many ghost towns with all the buildings but no people.
Kinda. People don't really experience the problems big cities do if you stick to small towns. Problem is that everyone knows everyone, and most everyone is fu*king crazy. Now I'm probably biased since I live next to a state hospital, but outside of that, I have met some of the most selfish, narcissistic, and idiotic people here. The countryside is nice. Great views of sunrises and sunsets, and the drives are nice and quiet too. Trains are awful tho. They go through towns so slow that it could take like 30 minutes for them to pass through town.
Pretty neat man. Been watching a couple of your videos there in Kansas. I lived there from 2012-20. Lived in Derby/Wichita. The last couple years there I worked for a place where it took me to a lot of these small towns. Unfortunately I never took the time to go explore these places with work and all. Now that I live out west, it makes me miss and appreciate the these small towns, the people and just how laid back it is in that state. Thanks
One of my oldest friends was born and raised in St. Mary's. You drove right past his home , which was on the main drag opposite of the Union Pacific tracks.
I discovered a very beautiful courthouse in Carthage, Missouri. Carthage is near Diamond, Mo, the childhood home of George Washington Carver. The Carver house is at the national monument of G.W.C.
Oh, my goodness!! Thank you!! Kansas is the shining star. Wamego is pronounced Wah mee go. I know. Doesn’t make sense. My twin and I had a TriDelt sorority sister who had her dad as a prominent doctor. We used to sing in grade school.. John Brown‘s body is a smoldering in the grave. I think it was actually an homage to him. Kansas was a point on the Underground Railroad. My family has a little museum in Pawnee Rock that was an Underground Railroad . Mummified girl about 13 there. My lineage has President Ulysses S Grant as my great, great great grandfather. I’m so proud of Kansas and how you portrayed it! Thank you!
Wamego was largely settled by veterans of the Civil War. There are several Confederate veterans buried in the cemetery, with the stars and bars on the gravestones.
I'm glad you visited Holton, KS. I visited there months ago and it was during reunion week. So we walked by the building where they were going to have the high school reunion and there were a couple of classmates in there already (this was like during the late afternoon). I like visiting small towns because the pace is not as hectic as that of a big city. And the people are friendly.
What is nice is that Taggers have not tag all over the beauty of these city . Oz is wonderful. So much is built in 1800 and the building are beautiful Thanks again for great video s
I'm a 90s baby. I'm old school. I remember both Little Rascals and Wizard of Oz. Two great movie's. I am from a small Texas town. Although that town ain't so small no more.
The reason St. Mary's looks like it has money is because the community works together, the business owners look out for their employees. I lived their for 3 years. It is an amazing community. It took the SSPX years to save the money to build that church, like 40 years, and donations came in from all over the country. When it is finished it will be the biggest church between St. Louis and Denver. Also if you ever get the chance drive around Ellis County Kansas. Hays is right in the middle. Some of the most beautiful stone churches in that one county. 11 that I know of for sure. All built by Vulga German immigrants. Amazing place to visit.
The SSPX Church is worldwide and growing and feel the reason so many towns are dying is lack of standards (anything's OK) but sometimes learning the hard way is best I know I did and with regret, like your content take care.
You missed out on the history of the Columbian Theater in Wamego. It's named after the Columbian Exposition in Chicago. That eagle over the entrance was from the American pavilion at the World's Fair. If you had gotten in you would have seen some of the only surviving art work from the pavilion. A wealthy person from Wamego was impressed, bought up a bunch of stuff from the pavilion after the fair closed and had it shipped to Wamego.
Another fact about the town on Holton it is named after the first sheriff of Milwaukee he led the wagon train east of the Delaware or Elk river I forget which one but the Kickapoo tribe told them they were on their hunting lands and they refused to move so the tribe set a couple wagons a blaze and chased them west of the river and they settled where the town is now
Loving these videos of small towns! At one point in this video, I thought a horse was clopping along near you, and I was half expecting to see it. Then you drove a bit and as you turned I heard it again, and then I realized it was your turn signal! And then I also realize that you drive a Bronco, so could it be the turn signal sounds like horse hooves on purpose? Lol!
Your tour of some small towns in northeast Kansas points out the consistent quality of life, nothing pretentious, just good folks living generally in peace. Living simple lives. Taking pride in what God has provided. 😊 One place you could have gotten a good indoctrination would have been the local cafe in any of those towns in the morning. The men gather from town and country and solve the world’s problems. I have friends in McPherson, Kansas who are retired college professors from California. They researched A-Z all over to determine the most suitable place to retire. Then they found their spot In McPherson, across the street from the park. Sounds peaceful to me. Thanks for this posting.
We lived in Kansas for a period of time. Very good wholesome small towns. St Mary's, Sterling and Larned some of my favorites. Don't worry, the boys and girls find each other.
Different Area of Kansas then what I am used too I grew up in South-Eastern Rural KS but it seems pretty similar. Glad too see some representation. Keep it up!
St Mary's looks like an amazing little town. Not a lifestyle I would choose for myself or my family but yeah, still nice. Just a thought, I don't think there will be scrappy part of town. With a poverty rate of 3%, that means only 81 people (including the children) are below the poverty line. That wouldn't even be 1 block of houses :)
Resident of St. Mary's here. It's a nice little town with all the small town problems. Everyone knows everyone. If you're not SSPX I would never advise you to move here. As nice as people can be, there are also very nasty people who will be sure to tell you how bad you are, if you don't fit into their idea of what a "good" catholic is.
Unfortunately you are correct about the few nasty people that attended church at the academy as a member of the parish myself it pains me greatly that some of my fellow Catholics somehow forget to practice Christian charity among themselves and with their dealings with others in the community , it’s few giving the majority a bad name
@@chrismounts846 Would you mind explaining what's anti-Christian about pumpkins? The practice of carving them and lighting a candle inside is an Irish tradition. They used turnips and gourds originally and they were called Jack O'lanterns, which came from an Irish folktale about a man named "stingy Jack". Irish immigrants brought this tradition to America where they then started using pumpkins. There's nothing anti-Christian about this 🙂.
Back in October I very briefly visited Salina, wish I had had more time to check out some places wouldn’t have minded visiting that Oz museum that looks pretty cool
I hear the train all the time, I live down the street from the tracks. By the way, my town has more than 500,000 people living in it. I prefer small town living. I wouldn't have minded my daughter going to a girls only school. Maybe it would have kept her out of trouble!
I'd heard about Toto being buried under the roadway, and I've also heard about his memorial, as I'd heard about it in someone else's vlog. It's interesting.
No pubs or bars 🍺 ? Not a town for me but very interesting. It looks clean and well kept which is really nice to see and yes the buildings are unique to be in such a small town. . Always love watching your videos.
Really enjoyed this video! I grew up in a rural Kansas town myself (Clay County, if you ever go that direction) and I love others getting to see all the beauty of it. We looked into renting a duplex in St Mary's while my husband was working in Topeka as well - definitely not our lifestyle, but it's a beautiful town! Do you know what part of the state you're headed to next?
34:07 When I saw this picture I was thinking of the song "Home on the Range." The song "where the deer and the antelope roam..." I figured though the song had NOTHING to do with Kansas. But, I looked it up anyway. Wow! The song was written in Athol, KS about three hours west of here!😬Ouch!
That’s the Kansas state song!! We have Buffalo too!! One small town is named Bison. Mom lived there for a little while as a child when her dad, my grandfather, was getting his pharmacist license.
I live pretty close to Wamego and you are correct about Christmas time. If you go there at night, they have a speaker running on Christmas music constantly, you can take pictures with Santa at the old school house, and there are a lot of lights to see around the park.
Last year we drove out to Bazine in west central Kansas for my grandfather’s funeral. Some of the towns we drove through appeared as if they hadn’t changed in 100 years. There’s something oddly fascinating about these small rural towns. Very peaceful.
At 2:34 you passed a Liquor store on your right. But as a Protestant I am very glad that the town is going back to Traditional Values, and is doing so well. They should be a shining example to the rest of America as to what works.
You should go to Alma, KS (lots of cool Victorian homes and homes built out of Flint Hills stone) and drive all around the Flint Hills! They have a very specific style of stone fences there. The Beecher Bible and Rifle Church was part of the Underground Railroad. And that Toto statues in Wamego are super cool. Wamego (pronounced Wah-mee-go) has the best fireworks display in KS on 4th of July. They also have an annual Tulip Festival every spring. There are tulips planted everywhere. You should go back in the spring. Also, that old post office that said "Flush" - Flush is a little town between Wamego and Manhattan.
@@JoeandNicsRoadTrip Cool. My whole family lives there. I can tell you LOTS about Alma. Let me know if you want some info for your trip there. Love your show!
Technically the Wizoard of Oz is in Wamego, but not the home of the Wizard of Oz. That was a much littler town south of Blue Rapids, Kansas north of Manhattan. The little town was hit by two tornadoes from two directions. Since Kansas does have basements that;s basically that's all that's left of it.
The key indicator of a healthy downtown in rural Kansas is the Walmart to Population ratio. If it's a big enough town, a Walmart will not kill the downtown, but there is a threshold, where the Walmart clears out all the competition, the other grocery stores, and most any other retailer in the old downtown. Then you see service providers, dentist, lawyers, doctors, dentists, realtors.... but very few retailers will be left, unless they are specializing in what Walmart doesn't sell.
Nailed it. Walmart supercenter just on outskirt of town, mainly professionals downtown, with specialty (antique) shops here and there, and many vacancies. Sounds just like Atchison.
Greetings from a sunny 5C South London, UK. Where I live we have a preserved windmill and for information the vanes that make the mill turn are called "sails" or "blades", they can be covered with either canvas or wooden slats to increase their aerodynamic capability. Incredible luck the folk of Kansas have with so much limestone around, unfortunately, due to acidic pollution in the UK, a lot of old buildings made from limestone and sandstone just crumble away.
I'm English living in Illinois. I have lived here most of my life but yet I am amazed at the amount of towns in this country that are in such decline! I can only imagine what you think living in a country where they believe in keeping things up and preserving history.
I love the information you provide in these. I’d be thrilled if you also told us what the major industries are. A few towns in the middle of KS with median incomes over $70k has me VERY curious as to the source.
@@JoeandNicsRoadTrip I'm a resident of St. Mary's. The main source of employment comes from a factory called the Onyx Collection, which produces showers. It's located in Belvue which is right on the way to Wamego. Long hours and poor working conditions, but the pay is good. I worked there for a year myself. St. Mary's is a quirky little place. It was so weird to see this in my feed.
Yes, the main source of income for many of the family's that live in Saint Mary's is The Onyx Collection in Belvue. The wonderful owners of the company are parishioners here and I wouldn't say it's "poor working conditions" as another person Commented. It's a factory, and as with any or most factory work like this, it's just hard work, but the employees are treated very well!
@@breannarebegila570 as long as employees do as they are told...vote the way Mr. Awerkamp tells them OR that they don't sign a petition to save the pool or the library.
