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Exploring Overlooked Sections of Northwest Kansas

Travel with a Wiseguy

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Join me as we explore the forgotten backroads of northwest Kansas, where tiny towns, ghost towns, abandoned railroads, and historic county seats tell the story of a region that time almost left behind. Starting in Oberlin and traveling west along U.S. Highway 36 toward the Colorado border, we visit places like Herndon, Liddell, Atwood, Blakeman, Beardsley, and more while uncovering fascinating history, abandoned schools, WPA-built stadiums, old banks, and the rise and decline of railroad communities.

Part 107 certified drone operator

0:00 Oberlin
5:05 Midway, Herndon
11:24 Ludell
14:04 Atwood
16:46 Blakeman
19:10 Greshampton, Beardley, Gladstone
22:08 Credits, Outtakes

Music
Casey Don't You Fret - Dan Lebowitz
To Weather a Storm - Dan Lebowitz
The Engagement - Silent Partner

20 Comments

@TravelwithaWiseguy Creator 2 months ago Pinned

Here is part 2 of this trip! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJSBBHej2-Y

@michaelhands3205 3 months ago

From 2000 to 2002 I worked for Schwans home food delivery. Every place in this video was part of my route. Started at Colby, went north to Atwood. Then Atwood thru Ludell following country roads up into Nebraska just south of McCook. Then back south thru Oberlin then back to Colby. Great people out there. Think about them often.

@takemeback70s 3 months ago

I love the brick streets. They last forever, and look so good. Somethings from the past are better than what is used now.

@curlyfries5095 3 months ago

I traveled out to the NW part of Kansas in 2024 and I found Oberlin to be an amazing little town. I loved the downtown area, the brick streets, the covered sidewalks and the street lamps were so cool. They even had on of those mechanical horses that you dropped a nickel into and rode in front of the grocery store. Brought me back to my youth. I also checked out Herndon ( Home of the Herndon Beavers as well as Smokey The Bear) and traveled that same road to Ludell following the abandoned railroad tracks, which I enjoy looking for. Atwood Lake was a pleasant surprise to me as well. Looking forward to Part 2! Thanks again for sharing!

@JeffH-l3n 3 months ago

I used to live in Oberlin. Been waiting for this video. 🙂

@reneespresser8794 3 months ago (edited)

Ah. You missed us. We are subscribers from Selden. Which is the nicest, cleanest, small town in NW Kansas. (IMO)

@travis303 3 months ago

That Jayhawk Theater in Atwood looks so cool. Would love to watch a movie there

@Brett_Nebraska 3 months ago (edited)

9:28 I used to play on this baseball diamond and football field almost everyday growing up as a kid in the 90s and early 2000s.

When you first walked into the archway it used to be a really nicely manicured baseball diamond and then Further out it was a very nice grass football field for our high school in Herndon.

There was nothing ever at Midway when I was a child in the 90s. Before that idk.

Herndon used to be widely known in the region for Pooch's Pizza, a local pizza shop/convenience store. It closed many years ago.

@jeffreyviolette6116 3 months ago

I'm always amazed how smooth the dirt roads are in the midwest.

@GeorgeParsons-s1c 3 months ago

It's good to be overlooked. One reason KS is beautiful is because very few people.

@trishaporte 3 months ago

I thought I knew a lot about Kansas, but you have broadened my horizons considerably!!
Thank you for doing so !!!

@LikeLiliesandSparrows 7 days ago

This was awesome! I live in Oberlin and absolutely love it up here in NW Kansas.

@bibiijaz6238 3 months ago

You know a town is small and old when its playground still has a merry-go-round!

(Behind the old jail if you missed it)

@QUANTRELL1862 2 months ago

I really enjoyed this. I am a Missourian, living on the Border of KS/MO. My great friend, Greg Strong, lived-out his life in West Central Kansas. "why?", I would ask. He loved the austere beauty, the stillness, the South wind. I traveled many times out to Dighton and Scott City. Now I agree with him.

@missdaisy2853 2 months ago (edited)

I was born here and my grandparents owned Kermit's Liquor. My grandpa was the mailman until he retired. The Last Indian Raid Museum was started by my great grandmother. It's such a cute town! I'll be seeing everyone for the fair in about 5 weeks! I see my dad's old minivan parked in front of his antique store on the left! Big red letters-- ~2:45 minutes in! ♥ I went to school in Herndon for part of my 7th grade year. K-12 in 1 building in the 90's. Thank you for the video!

@brendacejda7069 3 months ago (edited)

A treasured area of the state, for sure! I often say "People in New York will never understand." Thank you for another great journey, Coach! ❤️🌻🌻🌻💙

@waltpettis1480 3 months ago

I enjoyed this trip Coach. A lot of my family lived around the Oberlin area. It helps with my genealogy to be able to visualize where I came from. Thanks and God Bless you and your family 👣 Big Foot OKC ❤

@tillyg8858 3 months ago

I enjoyed the video. There are some really neat towns to discover. Thanks for sharing.

@WyomingMonte 2 months ago

Like Mr. Cash sang, "I've been everywhere, man," I've seen a lot from the Mississippi to the Divide, from Texas to the northern border, and now, as an older amateur hisorian, I can now revisit some of the places I've been through your videos. Thank you for your well spent time and work. Good job!😊