Discovering Wonders in Kansas

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Discovering Wonders in Kansas

As I was driving through the state of Kansas, a seasoned traveler asked me if I was on a long drive to visit the most famous attractions. I hesitated. Honestly, that wasn’t what I had in mind for this trip. As I turned north through the vast fields, it dawned on me: you don’t need to veer far off course when you have the Atlas Obscura app at your fingertips.

Unexpected Destinations

No matter where you go, there are always fascinating and surprising things right beneath your feet. I quickly opened the app to show him. “Look here, just fifty steps away, there’s a fully functioning electric house.” A few minutes later, I stumbled upon a horse cemetery. I had missed the chance to visit Mister Ed's grave in Oklahoma, sorry Mister Ed, so I wasn’t about to let this opportunity slip by. The grave of the horse Lawrin is tucked away at the end of a quiet alley in Prairie Village, a neat suburb of Kansas City.

A Memorable Grave

It’s hidden behind a black iron fence and sits on a small, well-manicured patch of grass. You’d hardly know to turn into this neighborhood, meandering through the winding streets, and stop at this spot without the guidance of Atlas Obscura. But what’s so special about Lawrin? He was the only horse born and raised in Kansas to win the Kentucky Derby. In 1938, Lawrin crossed the finish line with jockey Eddie Arcaro riding, a four-leaf clover tucked under the saddle for good luck.

The Legacy of an Era

All 200 acres of Woolford Farms where he was born and trained have now become Prairie Village. All that remains is this small, tidy patch of grass at the end of the alley. While I was there, I met a man in his 90s who lived across from the grave. He shared with me his favorite story about the thrilling conclusion of the Derby race in 1938.

An Intriguing Tale

In the final stretch, he recounted, Lawrin and his jockey glanced back. The second-place horse was hot on their heels. They were almost beaten. But then they regained their focus and surged ahead. “Never look back,” he told me. “When you look back like that, the horse thinks it's running out of steam. It starts to slow down. Just keep going.”

Fascinating Facts

He then shared some knowledge about horse burials. Racehorses are often buried with just their heads and hearts, as their bodies are too large. Heads and hearts. I pondered this as I walked back to my car. In fact, this tradition also includes their hooves. Their wisdom, spirit, and speed are all laid to rest together.

The Speed of Lawrin

And if there’s one thing Lawrin had in abundance, it was speed. To be exact, two minutes, four seconds, and four-fifths of a second. That’s the magic of wandering with Atlas Obscura. You’ll unexpectedly uncover wonders in places you would never think to look on your own.

Share Your Destinations

If you have suggestions for places I should visit in the remaining states, please email me at CEO@atlasobscura.com. So far, my map has recorded so many intriguing spots.

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