High Plains History
Tuesdays: during Morning Edition (6:45 & 8:45 AM CT) & All Things Considered (4:44 & 6:44 PM CT).
Take a few minutes to step back in time and explore the historical events, places, persons, social movements, and humorous incidents from the centuries of human settlement on the High Plains. High Plains History is written by Skip Mancini with the assistance of historians, historical societies, and museums from across the region. It's produced by Skip Mancini, Lynn Boitano & High Plains Public Radio.
Have a historical event you'd like to hear about on this show? Contact Lynn Boitano at lboitano@hppbr.org or call 1.800.367.9088 to get in touch.
Fall 2025
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In the late 1870s many Southern blacks saw Kansas as The Promised Land, partially because of the availability of free land through the Homesteaders Act, but also because so many Kansans had taken an anti-slavery stance in the battle for free-state status prior to the Civil War. -
In Southwest Kansas, the dry and dusty bed of the once mighty R-kansas River (also called the Arkansas) gives little indication of the swirling waters of death and destruction that have periodically overflowed its banks. -
After 1880, land colonizers lured a number of farmers to the Panhandle Plains of Texas by promoting the agricultural benefits that might befall a landowner in this vast area. -
In 1929, Marion Talley, world-renowned Metropolitan Opera star, began a brief love affair with the Heartland when she purchased farm ground near Colby in northwest Kansas. -
The Texas Longhorn, an icon of the past, was a work of nature, untouched by man’s attempts at breeding and crossbreeding.
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In the late 1870s many Southern blacks saw Kansas as The Promised Land, partially because of the availability of free land through the Homesteaders Act, but also because so many Kansans had taken an anti-slavery stance in the battle for free-state status prior to the Civil War. -
In Southwest Kansas, the dry and dusty bed of the once mighty R-kansas River (also called the Arkansas) gives little indication of the swirling waters of death and destruction that have periodically overflowed its banks. -
After 1880, land colonizers lured a number of farmers to the Panhandle Plains of Texas by promoting the agricultural benefits that might befall a landowner in this vast area. -
In 1929, Marion Talley, world-renowned Metropolitan Opera star, began a brief love affair with the Heartland when she purchased farm ground near Colby in northwest Kansas. -
The Texas Longhorn, an icon of the past, was a work of nature, untouched by man’s attempts at breeding and crossbreeding. -
As my time with Velma Wancura draws to a close, Velma and I talked about some of life's nuggets. These are some of her thoughts about:Neighbors. Velma… -
It was hard to be German during World War I. Velma Wancura's father hired extra help during harvest time. She said you had to be careful not to hire a… -
Go back to May, 1935. Velma and Ted Wancura have a young son. They haven't had a wheat crop in years, or rain for that matter. Most of their cattle herd… -
The mid 1930's were the dry years on the high plains. The drought has taken so much, a tornado took their home, but one young couple continue to… -
In 1935, there had been no rain and no wheat crop for the Wancuras. One day, Velma and Ted decided to drive to Beehler to a farm sale about 14 miles…
