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Manhattan, Kansas: Johnny Kaw: Bigger Than Bunyan

RoadsideAmerica.com Team Field Report

Address:
N. 11th St., Manhattan, KS
Directions:
Downtown. In City Park, on the northwest corner of N. 11th St. and Poyntz Ave. Parking in the park is limited; you might want to park in the gas station across N. 11th St.
RA Rates:
Major Fun
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Johnny Kaw statue.

Johnny Kaw: Bigger Than Bunyan

Instead of chopping trees, giant Johnny mows down acres of wheat with his super scythe.

Roadsideamerica.com Report... [01/01/2017]

Visitor Tips and News About Johnny Kaw: Bigger Than Bunyan

Reports and tips from RoadsideAmerica.com visitors and Roadside America mobile tipsters. Some tips may not be verified. Submit your own tip.

Johnny Kaw.

Johnny Kaw, Bigger Than Bunyan

Johnny Kaw is out of construction. Also, he is surrounded by electrical outlets and usb chargers.

[Das Nic, 03/28/2020]

Johnny Kaw.

Johnny Kaw, Bigger Than Bunyan

Johnny Kaw is under construction now. Repainted and all new masonry being built.

[dottecom, 06/15/2019]

Kaw.

Johnny Kaw

Johnny Kaw is currently fenced in awaiting funding for renovations. City park has picnic tables, playground and restrooms, although one was locked and the other had been vandalized.

[Leeandpaul, 04/02/2019]

The renovations, which include seating, lighting, and story panels, are supposed to be complete on May 9.

Johnny Kaw.

Johnny Kaw

Johnny Kaw is located in the Southeast corner of City Park facing Poyntz Avenue in Manhattan, Kansas. He holds a scythe to harvest wheat. You have him listed under Muffler Men as a "Paul Bunyan", but he was designed as Johnny Kaw (a legendary character indigenous to Kansas) by one of the Kansas State University's Art Department faculty, Tommy Tomash, sometime in the 1950's (it is almost a self portrait). Johnny Kaw is about 30-35 feet tall and is kept in good repair. There is also a great playground for small children just to the west.

[Eric Abraham, 03/19/2002]

Johnny is fairly young for a hero of legends. He was invented in 1955 by a Kansas horticulture professor; the concrete-and-steel statue went up in 1966.


Nearby Offbeat Places

Manhattan's Hollywood-Style LettersManhattan's Hollywood-Style Letters, Manhattan, KS - 1 mi.
Oz MuseumOz Museum, Wamego, KS - 14 mi.
Old Dutch WindmillOld Dutch Windmill, Wamego, KS - 15 mi.
In the region:
World's Largest Belt Buckle, Abilene, KS - 39 mi.

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