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The number of tourists visiting Kansas has been climbing steadily over the last few years, reaching almost 40 million in 2023. It鈥檚 easy to see why. The Midwest state offers a little something for everyone, from its stunning prairies and rolling hills to vibrant cities like Topeka and Kansas City. But beyond its natural beauty and urban centers, Kansas is also home to some oddly named small towns with stories as unique as their names.

Over the years, Kansas residents and visitors have left their mark. Early Native American tribes, Spanish explorers, French fur trappers, and Civil War settlers all passed through the region, shaping its identity. This diverse history is reflected in the state's quirkiest town names, each one carrying a story that offers a glimpse into the past.

Cuba

Cuba was founded in 1868 and apparently named by a wandering traveler who passed through. Legend has it that this visitor had been to Cuba and was struck by the hard-working and friendly people he met on the island. When he came to Kansas and saw that the local people were equally hard-working and friendly, he began calling their town Cuba, and the name stuck.

In addition to its bizarre name, Cuba has a bizarre tradition. Every March, Cuba hosts a 鈥楻ock-A-Thon,鈥� a week-long festival featuring food, entertainment, and rocking chairs that are in continuous motion for the entire week. If you miss the festival, catch up on other gems from the town鈥檚 long history at the Cuba Heritage Center, housed in the town鈥檚 first doctor鈥檚 office, the Cuba Country School Museum, or the Historic Blacksmith鈥檚 Shop, which dates back to the late 1800s.

Hugoton

The two founders of Hugoton picked out the land that would eventually become the town in the 1880s. Originally named Hugo, in honor of renowned French author Victor Hugo, the name was hastily amended after the settlers realized there was a Hugo in Colorado. To avoid confusion, they tacked a 鈥榯on鈥� onto the name, and Hugoton was born.

Today, Hugoton is known as the 鈥榥atural gas capital of America鈥� thanks to the Hugoton Gas Field, which was developed in the 1930s and was the largest in the country. Find out about this era in Hugoton鈥檚 history at the Stevens County Gas & Historical Museum, which also features displays of Indian artifacts, early 1900 furnishings, and farming tools from the last century.

Hugoton becomes a popular party spot in September as the High Plains Music Fest comes to town, bringing with it classic country and rock artists. You can catch live entertainment year-round at the High Plains Theatre on Main Street, the town鈥檚 premier arts venue, showing movies and concerts in an intimate small stage venue.

Nicodemus

The historic community of Nicodemus began as a refuge for freed slaves in 1877 and grew to become the first predominantly black settlement west of the Mississippi River. There are two stories about how it got its name. One version attributes it to the biblical figure of Nicodemus, while the other claims the town was named for a legendary African slave.

Now a National Historic Site, a few descendents of the town鈥檚 original settlers still live in town. To take a deep dive into Nicodemus history, take the Ellis Trail Tour, an annual event run by the Nicodemus Historical Society, that starts in the town of Ellis and traces the wagon trails that took early settlers north to Nicodemus. The tour includes lunch and features historical stops and reenactments along the way.

At the National Historic Site itself, you can see five historic structures: the A.M.E Church, First Baptist Church, Nicodemus School, the St. Francis Hotel, and Township Hall. Drop by the Visitor鈥檚 Center to see interactive history displays and hear oral history interviews from the town descendants.

Liberal

There鈥檚 a lovely story attached to the naming of the town Liberal. Founded in the 1880s by homesteader S.S. Rogers, the town was a rest stop for road-weary travelers passing through. Seeing these thirsty wanderers, Rogers would offer them a refreshing drink from his own well, to which they replied, 鈥渢hat鈥檚 mighty liberal of you鈥�. The town gained a reputation for hospitality thanks to its founder鈥檚 kindness and became known as Liberal.

In the 1970s, Liberal declared itself the hometown of Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz. Today, movie fans can relive the Oz magic with a trip to Dorothy鈥檚 House and the Land of Oz attraction, a family-friendly theme park that features a replica of the house from the film and an actual yellow brick road. Other popular attractions in Liberal include the Coronado Historical Museum and the Mid-America Air Museum, which features over 100 aircraft and a fascinating Hall of Aviation Science.

La Cygne

Pronounced la-seen, this unusual town name comes from a French translation of an Osage phrase meaning 鈥榤arsh of the swans.鈥� It鈥檚 a pretty name for a pretty town, located near the scenic Frontier Military Historic Byway, which meanders through eastern Kansas, following a 19th-century trail used to transport Army supplies and soldiers.

Visit Linn County Park to see some of the frontier鈥檚 natural beauty for yourself, taking a hike around the 2,600-acre La Cygne Lake, boating, fishing, or simply enjoying a scenic picnic by the water. Explore the outdoors in style at Isinglass Vineyard and Sunnye Ridge Farm, where you can roam the grounds of the beautiful estate, take part in a wine tasting, visit their petting zoo, enjoy some live music, take a horseback ride, or tour the vineyard.

Strong City

Despite the name, Strong City isn鈥檛 a city at all. This small town in the Flint Hills has just under 400 residents and was first known as Cottonwood Station, the last stop on the Santa Fe Railroad. The name was changed in 1881 following a petition from the residents who wanted it renamed to commemorate William Barstow Strong, president of the Santa Fe Railway System. Visitors can pay tribute to the town鈥檚 namesake with a visit to W.B. Strong Memorial Railroad Park, where you鈥檒l find an authentic Santa Fe caboose on display, as well as picnic facilities and walking paths.

Strong City is famous for its summer rodeo, one of the longest-running and largest in the country. Held every June, the event attracts over 20,000 visitors to the tiny town, which is also famous for being the home of the Tallgrass Prairie Reserve. Covering almost 11,000 acres of wide open grassland, the preserve includes a thriving bison herd.

Kansas Small Towns Tell a Story

A lot of thought goes into naming a town. Some names commemorate local heroes or town founders, while others nod to the history of that place. Some are celebrations of the region鈥檚 natural features and landmarks. Whatever their story, each name is much more than just a sign on a map. Getting to know Kansas鈥� quirky small towns provides a glimpse into the state鈥檚 fascinating past and culture. Here, in these welcoming communities, you鈥檒l find the classic Midwest hospitality and memorable experiences that make the state a premier vacation destination.