This partial list of city nicknames in Kansas compiles the aliases, sobriquets and slogans that cities in Kansas are known by (or have been known by historically), officially and unofficially, to municipal governments, local people, outsiders or their tourism boards or chambers of commerce. City nicknames can help in establishing a civic identity, helping outsiders recognize a community or attracting people to a community because of its nickname; promote civic pride; and build community unity.Muench, David "Wisconsin Community Slogans: Their Use and Local Impacts" , December 1993, accessed April 10, 2007. Nicknames and slogans that successfully create a new community "ideology or myth" are also believed to have economic value. Their economic value is difficult to measure, but there are anecdotal reports of cities that have achieved substantial economic benefits by "branding" themselves by adopting new slogans.Alfredo Andia, Branding the Generic City :) , MU.DOT magazine, September 10, 2007
Some unofficial nicknames are positive, while others are derisive. The unofficial nicknames listed here have been in use for a long time or have gained wide currency. Baxter Springs – First Cowtown in KansasBaxter Springs Museum Retrieved 2008-02-21. Beattie – Milo Capital of the WorldClaims to Fame - Agriculture, Epodunk, accessed April 16, 2007. Cassoday – Prairie Chicken Capital of the WorldClaims to Fame - Birds , Epodunk, accessed April 16, 2007. Cawker City – Home of the World's Largest Ball of TwineClaims to Fame - Braggadocio , Epodunk, accessed April 16, 2007. Dodge City Queen of the CowtownsFord County Historical Society - Dodge City The Wickedest Little City in AmericaU.S. City Monikers, Tagline Guru website, accessed January 5, 2008 Emporia – Front Porch of the Flint Hills, Flint Hills Discovery website, accessed August 17, 2020 Garden City – Cutting Horse CapitalClaims to Fame - Animals , Epodunk, accessed April 16, 2007. Girard – Printing Capital of the NationClaims to Fame - Business , Epodunk, accessed April 16, 2007. Haysville – Peach Capital of Kansas Jennings – Czech Us OutClaims to Fame - Ethnic Groups , Epodunk, accessed April 16, 2007. Kansas City KCKKansas City Chamber of Commerce Heart of Americahttp://got.net/~landauer/lists/CityOf.html (cf., "Kansas City, Kansas: Heart of America") Kirwin – Goose Capital La Crosse – Barbed Wire Capital of the WorldClaims to Fame - Favorites , Epodunk, accessed April 16, 2007. Lansing – City With a Future Lawrence River City LFK Lenexa – Spinach Capital Leoti – Pinto Bean Capital Liberal – The Land of Oz Lindsborg – Little SwedenLittle Sweden: A Local Legacy America's Story website, The Library of Congress (accessed January 25, 2008) Manhattan – The Little AppleManhattan Convention & Visitors Bureau Marion Rhino Capital of Kansas Town Between Two Lakes Marysville – Black Squirrel Capital Norton – Pheasant Capital of Kansas Olathe – Cowboy Boot CapitalClaims to Fame - Clothing , Epodunk, accessed April 16, 2007. Parsons – Purple Martin Capital Pittsburg – Fried Chicken CapitalClaims to Fame - Food , Epodunk, accessed April 16, 2007. Quinter – Half Mile High CityClaims to Fame - Activities , Epodunk, accessed April 10, 2008. Russell Springs – Cow Chip Capital of Kansas Topeka – Top CityTop City Athletics, one of several businesses using the name Wellington – Wheat Capital of the World Wichita Air Capital of the World The Emerald City ICT Wilson – Czech Capital of Kansas Windom – Covered Dish Capital of the World
See also List of cities in Kansas List of city nicknames in the United States
References