Buried Wichita, Kansas: A Midwestern Death Trip

A journey through Wichita's historic cemeteries reveals the diverse stories and intricate designs that honor the city's pioneering families.

When Wichita was founded in 1870, death was already a frequent occurrence there. The city's first official cemetery was established that same year. In the two decades that followed Wichita's beginning, more than ten cemeteries appeared in and around a thriving (and simultaneously dying) community. Many of Wichita's earliest cemeteries started on a small section of farmland. Additional burials, long-term maintenance needs, and proper layouts weren't always considered. Other early cemeteries were planned meticulously, with great attention given to the finer details and future needs. The spaces in Wichita designed for the dead were not created equal, but all were established out of necessity, and each one has a story. These cemeteries are meant to be explored. Immeasurable history lies in the intricate stones and ornate statues that decorate the hallowed grounds where our ancestors rest. They are welcoming and peaceful spaces where life and death exist together. Let's explore the oldest existing cemeteries in Wichita, the final resting places for many of the city's pioneer families.