The Delano District in Wichita, wasn’t always part of Wichita. In 1862, in large part due to the cheap land available under the Homestead Act of 1862, settled in what is now the Delano district of Wichita. The area was originally dubbed Elgin. Elgin grew into a stopping point for cattle on the Chisholm Trail in 1870.
The town was renamed Delano in 1871 and was the home to the “vices” that were not allowed in proper Wichita. Although Delano had it’s own post office, it did not have law enforcement which led to the formation of Delano as a center for most of the gambling, drinking, and illegal recreational activities.
Just 10 years later in 1880, Wichita annexed Delano and became officially known as West Wichita. Since then, the area has changed quite a bit. From Friends University opening in 1887 to many aircraft manufacturing facilities opening in the 1920’s, Delano continues to evolve even to this day. The Delano business district is now known as the Historic Delano district and is home to a growing local shopping and entertainment area. It is also home to the new Riverfront Stadium where the Wichita Wind Surge will reside for years to come.
