Salina history

The city of Salina was founded in 1858 by a group of enterprising settlers led by journalist and politician William A. Phillips. The settlement received its name in honour of the Saline River, the waters of which were distinguished by their high salt content. Initially, the city was conceived as the most western outpost of civilisation at that time, and by 1860 it was officially registered, becoming the administrative centre of the county.

The rapid growth and development of Salina were driven by several strategically important circumstances that turned the small settlement into a significant regional hub:

• Geography: Its location in the fertile Smoky Hill River valley provided excellent conditions for agriculture and access to water resources.
• Transport Corridor: The city became an important stop for prospectors and migrants heading west during the Pike's Peak Gold Rush.
• Railway: The arrival of the Union Pacific branch in 1867 was a turning point, connecting the local market with the east of the country and stimulating an influx of new residents.

In the early years, the city's economy was based on the fur trade and supplying wagon trains, but Salina soon reoriented itself towards agriculture. Thanks to a climate ideally suited for growing wheat and the introduction of new grain varieties, the city quickly turned into a major agrarian centre, which defined its lifestyle and prosperity for many years to come.

Major Development Milestones

The history of Salina is a journey from a small trading post to an important industrial and cultural centre of the state of Kansas.

• 1858: Colonel William A. Phillips and a group of settlers found the city on the banks of the Smoky Hill River.
• 1860: Salina officially receives city status and becomes the administrative centre of the county.
• 1867: The Union Pacific railway reaches the city, opening the way for large-scale livestock and grain trade.
• 1886: Kansas Wesleyan University is founded, becoming a key educational institution in the region.
• 1922: The famous Cozy Inn diner opens, which is recognised today as a historical landmark.
• 1942: The Camp Phillips military base and Smoky Hill Army Airfield are built in the city's vicinity to train soldiers for World War II.
• 1951: The city faces a devastating flood, which subsequently led to the creation of a modern flood protection system.
• 1970: Schwan's Company acquires the local Tony's Pizza production facility, turning Salina into a major centre of the US food industry.
• 1999: Rolling Hills Zoo opens a few kilometres from the city, becoming a popular destination for family recreation.
• 2003: After extensive restoration, the historic Stiefel Theatre reopens, becoming the city's main concert venue.

Key Stages of City Transformation

Salina's development is a story of constant adaptation, transforming a trading post into a modern regional hub. Here are the main milestones that defined the current appearance and economy of the city:

• Railway Integration (Late 1860s). The arrival of the railway did not just connect the city with the eastern USA but briefly made it the terminus for livestock driving. This provided the initial capital for infrastructure development and turned Salina into the region's main trading node.
• Flour Milling Boom (Early 20th Century). Thanks to the introduction of hard varieties of winter wheat, Salina became one of the largest centres of the flour milling industry in the country. The construction of elevators and mills formed the industrial landscape of the city and ensured long-term economic stability.
• Military Urbanisation (1940–1950s). The opening of army bases and an airfield during World War II, followed by the operation of Schilling Air Force Base, led to explosive population growth. This required large-scale housing construction and the modernisation of urban utilities.
• Industrial Conversion (1965). The closure of Schilling Air Force Base could have been a disaster, but city authorities successfully repurposed the military facility. A municipal airport and a large industrial park emerged in its place, preserving jobs and attracting new manufacturing.
• Becoming the Frozen Food Capital (1970s). The expansion of Tony's Pizza production (later part of Schwan's) diversified the economy. The transition from simple grain processing to the production of ready-made food products made the city less dependent on seasonal harvest fluctuations.
• City Engineering Defence (Post-1951). The construction of a system of levees and channels after a devastating flood not only secured the safety of residents but also opened up new territories for safe urban development, allowing the city to expand outwards.
• Centre Revitalisation (2000s – Present). The downtown renewal project, including the restoration of historic buildings (such as the Stiefel Theatre) and the creation of new public spaces, transformed the city centre from a purely business district into a place for cultural leisure and tourism.

Architectural Appearance and Urban Planning

Salina's architecture reflects its transformation from a frontier trading post to the "Wheat Capital" of the USA. The urban development of the city followed the classic Midwest grid system, oriented to the cardinal points, with a clear division into the business centre (downtown) and residential areas that expanded with the economic boom.

The city's appearance was formed in several stages, each leaving its mark on the style of the buildings:

• Late 19th Century — Victorian Commercial Architecture. The city centre, especially the historic Lee District, is built up with two- and three-storey brick buildings. This period is characterised by elements of the Italianate style: decorative cornices, arched windows, and cast-iron facades on the ground floors. These structures served as warehouses and shops during the rise of railway trade.
• Early 20th Century — Neoclassicism and Eclecticism. With the growth of wealth, monumental public buildings appeared in the city. A striking example is The Masonic Temple, built in the 1920s. This massive limestone structure with columns and strict proportions symbolised the stability and prosperity of the region.
• 1920–1930s — Art Deco. The peak period before the Great Depression gifted the city its main architectural gem — the Stiefel Theatre (originally the Fox Watson Theatre). The building combines the geometry of Art Deco with a luxurious interior designed in an eclectic style. Also belonging to this period is the United Building — Salina's first "skyscraper" and a vertical dominant of the centre.
• Mid-20th Century — Modernism. The post-war period was marked by bold architectural solutions. The Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, built in the 1950s, is a unique example of church modernism. Its shape, resembling grain elevators, pays tribute to the agrarian essence of the region, using concrete and clean lines instead of traditional decor.

Urban Planning Features

An important part of Salina's urban landscape is not only residential and administrative buildings but also industrial facilities. Giant grain elevators on the outskirts form a unique "skyline" for this plains city, visible for many kilometres.

Furthermore, the city's layout was significantly influenced by the flood protection system built after 1951. The levee and diversion channel altered the natural development of the city along the river, directing new construction into safer zones and allowing for the creation of green recreational areas along the old riverbed.

Distinguished Personalities of Salina

Salina has become the birthplace and home for many talented people who have left a notable mark on US politics, science, sports, and arts. Below are the most famous figures whose names are inextricably linked with the history of the city.

Politics and History

• William A. Phillips
  City Founder, Congressman, Journalist
  A key figure in the history of Salina. He led the group of first settlers in 1858 and laid the foundations of the city. An active abolitionist and politician, he represented Kansas in the US House of Representatives and contributed to the economic establishment of the region.
• Marlin Fitzwater
  White House Press Secretary, Writer
  A native of Salina who became the only press secretary in history appointed by two different US presidents in succession (Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush). His memoirs and work in the administration are considered an important part of late 20th-century political history.
• Bill Graves
  Governor of Kansas (1995–2003)
  Born in Salina, he built a successful political career, becoming the 43rd governor of the state. He is known for initiating a large-scale programme to improve Kansas's transport infrastructure.
• John Carlin
  Governor of Kansas (1979–1987), Archivist of the United States
  A native of the city who served two terms as governor. Later, as Archivist of the United States (1995–2005), he played an important role in modernising the National Archives and Records Administration, ensuring the accessibility of historical documents in the digital age.

Science, Culture, and Sports

• Steven Hawley
  NASA Astronaut, Astrophysicist
  Although not born in Salina itself, Hawley grew up here and graduated from the local Salina Central High School. A participant in five space shuttle missions, he is known for his contribution to the deployment and maintenance of the Hubble Space Telescope.
• Gene Mauch
  Baseball Manager
  A native of Salina who became a legend of Major League Baseball (MLB). He worked as a manager for four different teams over 26 seasons and is known as a deep strategist of the game, earning the nickname "The Little General".
• George Murdock
  Theatre and Film Actor
  Born in Salina, he had a successful career in Hollywood. A character actor known for roles in cult films and series, including "Star Trek V: The Final Frontier", "The X-Files", and "Seinfeld".