The Wizard of OzĀ describes the story of Dorothy, a little girl from rural Kansas while visiting the magical land of Oz. In the bookās and movieās introductions, a tornado whisked her from her sepia-toned Kansas life into the Technicolor world of Oz.Ā L. Frank Baum published the book in 1900, and the tale hit the silver screen in 1939. Twenty years later, television stations began showing the movie annually through 1991. Because of this, generations knew the story of the little Kansas girl whisked to a fantasy land called Oz.
Your Yellow Brick Road has arrived at the right destination if youāre seeking the Wizard of Ozās location in Kansas. The state has numerous Oz-themed attractions, so enter the magical world of Oz in Kansas.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no cost to you.
Table of contents
Oz Museum | Totoās TacOZ | Totos Around Town | Oz Winery | Dorothyās House | Worldās Longest Yellow Brick Road | Oz in Wichita | More Oz in Kansas | Dorothyās Origin Stories 1, 2, 3 |
āKansasā¦ is the name of that star.ā
Glinda the Good in The Wizard of Oz
L. Frank Baum wrote the Wonderful Wizard of Oz book in 1900, during which time the Great Plains experienced hard times, including repeatedĀ dust storms. However, when Dorothy lands in Oz, she longs to return home. If Dorothy lived in Kansas now, she could visit Oz anytime, no Ruby Slippers required.
Baum extended his Oz universe fromĀ TheĀ Wonderful Wizard of OzĀ to his final book,Ā Glinda of Oz.Ā
Related: Baum lived in Aberdeen, South Dakota, before he wrote about Oz. AberdeenāsĀ Storybook LandĀ contains an Oz section.
Ad: Read all 14 Oz books in thisĀ boxed set.
These are the seven best Wizard of Oz locations in Kansas. Plus, we offer seven bonus places and answer two burning questions.
āOrders are nobody can see the Great Oz! Not nobody, not no how!ā
The Gatekeeper
Wamego (pronounced Wah-ME-go) is the center of the Kansas Oz fixation. The Kansas Legislature evenĀ declaredĀ Highway 99 from Interstate 70ās Exit 328 to Wamego as theĀ Road to Oz. The gatekeeper misunderstood his mission because anyone may enter the Oz Museum in Kansas.
Ad: Shop the Wizard of Oz on Amazon.
āWeāre off to see the wizard, the wonderful Wizard of Oz.ā
Dorothy and the Scarecrow
1. Explore Oz at the Oz Museum in Kansas
Baum never specified where Dorothy, Uncle Henry, and Auntie Em lived in Kansas. So Wamego, an hour and a half west of Kansas City, decided they could be the Home of Oz. Wamegoās Oz Museum opened in 2003 with the worldās most extensive Oz collection. On Lincoln Avenueās west side,Ā The OzĀ Museumās faƧade, filled with all things Wizard of Oz, stands out among Downtown Wamegoās brick buildings.
The sign juts above the museumās front door near the Columbian Theater. The sepia-toned gift shop in the foyer pays homage to the movieās Kansas scenes. The collection includes items from across the years of Oz history.
Find first editions of Baumās numerous works, original MGM movie posters and more movie memorabilia, silent films, Oz toys, and dioramas of the major characters, including the Haunted Forest. Beware of the Flying Monkeys, and look for the filmās 50th anniversary Ruby Red Slippers.
Oz actors suffer in their roles
Dorothy Gale was Judy Garlandās signature movie role, butĀ Shirley TempleĀ also desired to play Dorothy. Additionally,Ā Buddy EbsenĀ was supposed to play the Tin Woodman, but his allergy to aluminum dust gave the role to Jack Haley.
MGM made Bert LahrāsĀ Cowardly Lion suitĀ from real lion skins. The costume weighed 90 pounds, and Lahr sweated profusely under the studio lights. The suit reeked. (Todayās filmmakers would use special effects.) Despite the stench, the suit brought $3 million in a 2014 auction.
Makeup artists had to removeĀ Margaret Hamiltonās green, copper-based skin makeup with alcohol. Flames burned her during her fiery exit from Munchkinland, and the alcohol hurt her burns. Eventually, she wore green gloves instead of makeup.
Oz characters appear together in other films
Frank Morgan, who played Professor Marvel and The Wizard, Hamilton,Ā Garland, ScarecrowĀ Ray Bolger, andĀ Clara BlandickĀ (Auntie Em) appeared together in other films, although the entire cast never appeared in the same one. Ironically, Hamilton voiced Auntie Em in the animated filmĀ Journey Back to Oz.
Roxieās reliable report: Hamiltonās character frightened so many children that some of her scenes were cut. Ironically, she had been a kindergarten teacher before her acting career.
Ad: Buy the classic film,Ā The Wizard of Oz.
Roxieās reliable recommendation: Climb into the Wizard of Ozās hot air balloon for the ultimate Oz selfie. Watch The Wizard of OzĀ movie on an endless loop in the museumās theater, and allow 1-2 hours for a visit.Ā
Ad: Hang a poster from the musicalĀ Wicked.
2. Eat like a Winkie at Totoās TacOZ
After exploring Oz, go next door toĀ Totoās TacOz. A sculpture of Dorothyās little dog will greet you. If walking the Yellow Brick Road has emptied your stomach, eat the Bust My Buttons Burrito. Youāll be hungry no more, and Dorothyās friendĀ Button BrightĀ will approve. If youāre not so hungry, try the Yellow Brick Road Burrito. Either way, plan for leftovers.
Ad: Of course, Oz is one of the 100 Things to Do in Kansas Before You Die.
3. Bark at Oz in Kansas with the Totos Around Town
The Toto in front of the taco place is not Wamegoās only Toto. A dozen more little black dogs await visitors around Wamegoās downtown area. Take the dog Toto Tour with this tour guideĀ map.
4. Drink to the Wizard at the Oz Winery
TheĀ Oz WineryĀ is only a block south of the museum. Stop in for a tasting and bring home some wine, plus an Oz-themed souvenir. We like the Squished Witch, Canāt Find My Way Home, and Wicked Deeds wines.
Roxieās reliable recommendation: For the complete Oz experience, park on Ash Street, two blocks east of the museum. Before entering theĀ Yellow Brick Road, stop at the Friendship House Restaurant for refreshments. Thus fortified, walk a short distance to the museum on a mural-lined walkway. The gateās west end is the perfect selfie station.
Wamego holds an annual Oz festival, calledĀ Oztoberfest, in early October.
āThatās how we laugh the day away in the Merry Old Land of Oz!ā
The Munchkins
5. Hang with Dorothy at Dorothyās House and the Land of Oz in Kansas
Five and a half hours southwest, Liberal competes with Wamego for Oz fame. In 1978, a San Francisco waiter noticed that Max and Katie Zimmerman were from Kansas, āwhere Dorothy is from.ā When the couple asked what the waiter would like to see in Kansas, he replied, āDorothyās house.ā The waiterās comment inspired the Zimmermans to createĀ The Wizard of OzĀ in their hometown of Liberal, Kansas.
Two years after the Zimmermansā trip,Ā Dorothyās HouseĀ landed on the Coronado Museum grounds. The museum turned it into a replica of Dorothyās house in the movie, and it became the first Wizard of Oz museum in Kansas. Then-Governor John Carlin designated the house as āthe Official Home of Dorothy Gale.ā Along with
Uncle Henry and Aunt Emās house, visitors may stroll through the Land of Oz, a 5,000-square-foot animated tour through the movieās universe.
Local girls portray Dorothy while wearing blue gingham dresses and red slippers. They help visitors avoid the Wicked Witch. The Munchkins, Tin Man, Scarecrow, and the Cowardly Lion are guestsā companions on the tour.
Museum memorabilia includes the movieās model house that flew through the air.Ā
Liberalās Yellow Brick Road includes bricks with famous names like Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole, President and First Lady Ronald and Nancy Reagan, and Liza Minnelli, Judy Garlandās daughter
āFollow the Yellow Brick Road!ā
Dorothy and the Munchkins
6. Follow the Worldās Longest Yellow Brick Road
While Wamego and Liberal both feature Yellow Brick Roads, the Southeast Kansas city of Sedan earned the worldās longestĀ Yellow Brick RoadĀ honor. Sedan fits because Munchkinland, where Dorothyās Oz adventure begins, is Ozās eastern quadrant.
The road encompasses 11,500 bricks with named yellow bricks from every state and 28 foreign countries, including bricks from Elizabeth Taylor, Whoopi Goldberg, Brooke Shields, and more. The Wizard of Oz in Kansas celebrity section runs in front of SedanāsĀ Emmett Kelly Museum.
Related: The Sedan Yellow Brick Road is one of the stateāsĀ world recordĀ holders.
7-8. Enter Oz in Wichita, Kansas
A glass rainbow spans the Downing Childrenās Garden entrance at Botanica, the Wichita Gardens. After the entry, a pair of yellow paths wander under more rainbow-colored arches. Dorothyās friendĀ Polychrome, the daughter of the Rainbow, would be thrilled.
O.J. Watson Park features anotherĀ Yellow Brick Road.
Related: Explore theĀ top 11 things to doĀ in Wichita.
āIāll get you, my pretty, you and your little dog, too!ā
Wicked Witch of the West
9-13. More Oz in Kansas
In Kansas CityāsĀ Legends Outlets, Dorothy Galeās portrait hangs near Yard House and the Yellow Brick Road. The movieās principal characters stand on the lawn as perfect photo opportunities at Kansas Originals Market near Wilson.
Rayās Apple MarketĀ in Council Grove has a Tin Man in the parking lot. The Wicked Witch, a Winged Monkey, and the Tin Man are all members of Jim DickermanāsĀ Open Range ZooĀ onĀ Highways 14 and 16.Ā
Emerald is a ghost town on the Anderson-Franklin County line, butĀ St. Patrickās ChurchĀ still holds services.
Adrian designed the costumes for theĀ Wizard of Oz. Enjoy viewing some of his designs in Johnson County Community CollegeāsĀ Fashion Collection, Overland Park.Ā
Related:Ā OsawatomieĀ is famous for John Brownās abolitionist activities, but Oz is the cityās nickname.
Ad: My book Historic Kansas Roadsides features most of the Kansas Oz communities.
āWhen she fell out of Kansas, a miracle occurred.ā
Glinda the Good
14. Who was Dorothy Gale?
The cheerful and determined Dorothy Gale survived many adventures in Kansas, Oz, and other places. Baum, the Royal Historian of Oz, described her experiences with her friends in numerous books. However, her life was a mystery before the tornado swooped down to carry her away. How did Baum find her?Ā
Two theories are prominent.Ā
Two years before Baum published his first Oz book, his niece,Ā Dorothy Louise Gage, died in Bloomington, Ill. The little girlās death devastated her aunt Maud, Baumās wife. As a consolation, the author named the protagonist āDorothy.ā Baum did not reveal Dorothyās last name, Gale, until the Broadway musicalĀ Wizard of OzĀ in 1902. She uses the name in the third Oz book,Ā Ozma of Oz (ad).
Another Dorothy origin theory
However, the 2013 bookĀ Storm KingsĀ posited a second theory about Baumās tornado scene. On May 30, 1879, two EF-5 tornadoes struck Irving, Kansas. According to the book, Baum recalled an article about the Irving storm while writingĀ The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. The book says a girl named Dorothy Gale died in the outbreak. They found her face down in a mud puddle.Ā
Neither theĀ Waterville TelegraphĀ nor theĀ Blue Rapids Times, Irvingās closest newspapers, mentions the John Gail family in their coverage.
A few months later, Army Signal Corps Pvt. J.P. FinleyĀ studiedĀ the 1879 tornado outbreak. He learned that the Gail family endured the storm, but no family members died.
Finley was a poor speller who misspelled the familyās name as Gale.
The family survived airborne journeys, including baby daughterĀ Nellie. The tornado carried her nearly 500 feet before dumping her into a small ravine. Her sisterĀ AltaĀ landed nearby. However, the family had no members named Dorothy.
Did the storm inspire the Wicked Witch of the East?
One of the tornadoās Irving victims,Ā Flora Keeney, died when the tornado dropped herĀ head firstĀ in mud up to her shoulders. Her fate perhaps inspired the Wicked Witch of the Eastās demise instead of Dorothyās. Her husband John and his father Clinton also died in the storm.
Did Baum read Finleyās report and combine his niece with Dorothy, the tornadic traveler? Perhaps so.
Ad: Do you agree withĀ Storm Kingsā conclusions?
The 1879 tornado didnāt kill Irving, but a dam did. When the Bureau of Reclamation built Tuttle Creek Dam, the bureau forced the citizens to leave. A marker preserves Irvingās site. Gaps in the surrounding trees show the communityās foundations and street remnants.
Ad: I tell Irvingās possible role in Dorothyās creation and the townās fate in Secret Kansas: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure.
āThereās no place like home.ā
Dorothy
15. Where was Dorothyās home in Kansas?
In the fifth Oz book,Ā The Road to Oz (ad), theĀ Shaggy ManĀ asks Dorothy for directions to nearby Butterfield. Because Princess Ozma wants Dorothy to attend her birthday party, Ozma entangles the roads. Eventually, Dorothy, the Shaggy Man, and Button Bright arrive in Oz. But where is Butterfield? Decoding the Butterfield location would take more than the Scarecrowās brainpower.
No Kansas town bears the Butterfield name. However, the Butterfield Overland Despatch stagecoach route ran from Atchison to Denver. Half an hour southwest of Wamego, Manhattan has a Butterfield neighborhood. However, the Butterfield Trail Museum is in Russell Springs, 4 hours west of Wamego.
Maybe Baum confused the hometownās name: Buttermilk, Kansas, is a ghost town in Comanche County. After exploring Oz in Kansas, remember returning requires no Ruby Slippers.
Related: Explore eons of prehistory and decades of local history at theĀ Butterfield Trail Museum.
More to explore
Visit attractions in Southwest and North Central Kansas, Kansas, and the Midwest.
Related: The Oz Museum is third on our list of the top places to visit in North Central Kansas.
Book your trip
Letās add your trip to your calendar! Roxieās reliable brand recommendations will get you ready. We earn a small commission when you buy from these links.
Insure your trip:
Plan your flight and book your tickets:
- Aviasales
- CheapOAir
- Priority Pass (provides frequent travelers with airport lounge access around the world)
- United MileagePlus
Plan your overnight accommodations anywhere from national chains to private homes with:
Save on activities, from tours to attractions:
Rent transportation:
Stay secure:
- SentryPC: Monitor activity on your computer
Please pin this article.