halfway to winfield

Along the Walnut River at its confluence with Timber Creek, on the western edge of the Kansas Flint Hills, and just a short 17 miles north of Oklahoma, lies the sleepy little town of Winfield, Kansas. The town appears rather unremarkable in stature and history. Boom and bust years litter the past, but one thing has been constant. The town has always been a focal point for music. Chautauqua, an extremely popular adult education movement of the early 20th century, established a solid base at Island Park in the early years of the town. The philosophy of the movement centered on enlightening and educating rural American communities through artistic entertainment and cultural outreach with speakers, teachers, preachers, musicians, and other entertainers. Formed at a time when rural America starved for associated education and social activities, the movement established Winfield as a cultural center for Kansas, influencing establishment of an Opera House, as well as a hig