Beaumont in Butler County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
The Beaumont Grass Landing Strip
Beaumont Historical Marker
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., October 24, 2011
1. The Beaumont Grass Landing Strip Marker
Local lore has it that in 1948 a Wichita businessman wanted to fly into Beaumont to check on his cattle. He asked the hotel if they would block the road for his landing. Since having a plane land in Beaumont was exciting, the residents agreed. Well, the pilot told his friends and soon many other aviators were talking about the little Kansas town where you could land and taxi your plane on the main street. It quickly became a tradition with aviators and a practice for residents to check for airplanes on the streets when driving.
In 1953 the hotel owner, J.C. Squire acquired 70 acres east of the hotel and added a landing strip. Now planes could safely land and depart on Flint Hill pasture rather than one of Beaumont's streets.
Today aviators travel to Beaumont in their antique biplanes, helicopters, ultra lights, power parachutes, and even hot air balloons! On any given day, you can watch planes taxi right up to the hotel. Get your camera ready!
Erected by Beaumont Hotel.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Environment • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1948.
Location. 37° 39.319′ N, 96° 31.936′ W. Marker is in Beaumont, Kansas, in Butler County
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Eastern Kansas, in the Flint Hills, and in Greater Wichita. It is also in the American Midwest, in the Corn Belt, on the prairies, and on the Southern Plains. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 5 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: 1885 Frisco Water Tower (a few steps from this marker); Beaumont Becomes a Railroad Town (within shouting distance of this marker); The Historic Beaumont Hotel / The Beaumont Hotel Restoration (within shouting distance of this marker); Livestock in the Flint Hills (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Frisco Ponds (approx. 0.2 miles away).
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., October 24, 2011
2. The Beaumont Grass Landing Strip Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on May 18, 2022. It was originally submitted on October 30, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,236 times since then and 47 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 30, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. 3. submitted on May 18, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.
