Kansas Department of Transportation

NEWS CONTACT: 
Scott Shields, (785) 296-4149
or Sue Stringer, (785) 296-8669

Western Vistas Historic Byway first historic designation in Kansas

Logan, Scott and Wallace counties are home to the Western Vistas Historic Byway, the first designated historic byway in the state and the tenth Kansas byway to receive official designation from the Kansas Department of Transportation.

“The state designation will create greater awareness of the historical significance and scenic beauty of this area for visitors and spur interest in the communities along the route,” said Scott Shields, Kansas State Byways Coordinator.  An historic byway must have resources that are significant historically, be numerous, be visible and have a setting or character that is complementary to the resources.  “We are pleased the addition of historic byways to our program prompted local interest to qualify for designation.  Western Vistas provides visitors a visual relationship between the history, landscape and structures that define the area, to promote tourism along with natural and cultural importance,” says Shields. 

The 102-mile route begins in Scott County at Scott City on US-83 and ends on US-40 in Wallace County at Sharon Springs.  The historic byway passes through Scott Lake State Park on K-95, returning to US-83, then north to US-83/US-40 intersection at Oakley in Logan County and west on US-40 to Sharon Springs in Wallace County. 

The byway offers opportunities for visitors to experience the El Quarteljo Pueblo ruins, view unique rock formations such as Monument Rocks and “Little Jerusalem” and explore the various cultures and events that played a central role in America’s western