Roadside Kansas

by Rex Buchanan, J. R. McCauley

1987 · University Press of Kansas

The perfect glove-compartment companion, is a guide to the geology, natural resources, and landscapes along nine of the state's major highways. Covering more than 2,600 miles, Buchanan and McCauley have provided mile-by-mile descriptions of interesting features, both contemporary and historical, to be seen all across the state. The information is organized by highway, so that modern-day explorers can follow the road logs easily, learning about the land they travel through. Of the tradition of roadside geologic descriptions, Buchanan and McCauley write: "In some ways highways provide convenient access to geology because roads often cut through hills, exposing formations never seen before ... For many geologist, road construction is an occasion akin to Christmas or the Fourth of July." The nine highways, which criss-cross Kansas, were chosen for a variety of reasons. Some, like I-70, I-35, and the Kansas Turnpike, carry heavy traffic; some, like U.S. Highways 69 and 36, are the main highways in various parts of the state; others, like U.S. Highways 160 and 83, cut through some of the state's most interesting geology; and one, U.S. Highway 56, was picked because of its history--the road parallels the historic Santa Fe Trail for much of its route, passing the site of old forts and Indian battles. This unique guidebook combines geological, historical, and cultural information with more than 100 photographs, drawings, and maps. Presented in a refreshingly nontechnical way. It is sure to appeal to tourist and native Kansas alike.