1961 Map of Wichita West

About this map

Wichita’s westward expansion is clearly visible in this early 1960s study, where suburban developments like Westlink Village, County Acres, and Rolling Hills push into the agricultural landscape of Delano and Illinois townships. The urban grid meets the meandering path of Cowskin Creek, while the massive footprint of the Wichita Municipal Airport and the nearby Sacred Heart College anchor the southwestern corridor. Transportation networks define the area's growth, with the Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe and Missouri Pacific railroads bisecting the terrain alongside major arteries like Central Avenue. Local community life is documented through numerous educational sites such as Hadley Sch, Kensler Sch, and Benton Sch, as well as landmarks like the Resthaven Cemetery and the Drive-in Theater near the Arkansas River. Small water bodies such as Cadillac Lake and various sandpits reflect the local hydrology and industry that supported the city's mid-century building boom.