Instructor: Tom Schmiedeler

Tom Schmiedeler
 Biography: Instructor Bio: Tom Schmiedeler, Ph.D., is professor emeritus of geography at Washburn University.

Classes by this instructor


From Trails to Rails: the Historical Geography of Urbanization in Kansas

From Trails to Rails: the Historical Geography of Urbanization in Kansas
Our first segment will examine the early trails of Territorial Kansas and how they gave way to the development of cattle towns at the railheads of Ellsworth, Hays, Wichita and Dodge City. Then we will evaluate how the two most valuable resources in Kansas-oil and natural gas-helped urbanize southeast Kansas and the "oil patch" towns of western Kansas. Our final segment focuses on how early promotional efforts led to the rise of Wichita; how Topeka "captured" the state capital; and how Lawrence became the classic college town.

Instructor Bio: Tom Schmiedeler, Ph.D., is professor emeritus of geography at Washburn University.
April 10-24, 2024, Northland Innovation Center In-Person

From Trails to Rails: the Historical Geography of Urbanization in Kansas - Clay County Residents

Our first segment will examine the early trails of Territorial Kansas and how they gave way to the development of cattle towns at the railheads of Ellsworth, Hays, Wichita and Dodge City. Then we will evaluate how the two most valuable resources in Kansas-oil and natural gas-helped urbanize southeast Kansas and the "oil patch" towns of western Kansas. Our final segment focuses on how early promotional efforts led to the rise of Wichita; how Topeka "captured" the state capital; and how Lawrence became the classic college town.

Instructor Bio: Tom Schmiedeler, Ph.D., is professor emeritus of geography at Washburn University.
April 10-24, 2024, Northland Innovation Center In-Person