Larned, Kansas (Dodge City, Hays, Great Bend: houses, movie theater, university)

[BuckeyeBroad]

I may be working in Larned temporarily and would love to hear from anyone feels like writing a description of the town for an out-of-stater. Thanks

[GraniteStater]

Larned is a rather typical town in the great plains. I do not know much about the town itself, but it is losing population very fast and the Pawnee County has experienced a loss of jobs the past several years. The majority of the shopping is done in Hays which is north by 1+ hours or Dodge City which is located southwest of the town. The climate is semi-arid with few trees. Be prepared for strong winds at all times of the year. It can get cold in the winter, but it also can get extremely hot in the summer (dry heat) If you enjoy living in a rural area, you will enjoy the town. Their are only about 6,700 people living in the county itself.

[mile high]

I spend and have spent a lot of time in Larned and Great Bend, and Larned isn't short of trees! It's small, half the size of Great Bend some 24 miles away, but it is a pleasant small town if you don't ask too much (shopping malls, Home Depot, etc.). Hays, 40 miles due north on Interstate 70 with about 20,000 heads, is the nearest town with variety (malls, state university, Applebee's, Home Depot, a Harley dealer, at least two movie houses, etc.).

As for summer heat, it is humid with temp's. often around 90+ and humidity at least 50-60%. The prairie wind can make that tolerable but after about three days that can get on your nerves, too.

I've never seen nicer sunsets than in KS on the prairie. I don't know why but the colors are spectacular and make a hot sunny day almost worthwhile.

If you're working at the state hospital in Larned (about the only game in town, workwise) you can probably find cheaper digs with more convenience in Great Bend, 1/2 hour's drive away. Hays is even more attractive, but it's at least an hour's commute.

You could do worse than Larned!

Cheers!

[malarkey]

There's a great little meat market in Larned, just off the freeway. Dang, can't come up with the name now. It's not a bad little town, but there isn't a lot going on either. You'll find all your basic amenities, and there are some cool old houses in town. Still visible wagon ruts close by from the Sante Fe Trail, and Ft Larned has some interesting history. They were doing a living museum thing there for awhile.. hopefully that is still going on.

[Wisewoman]

I don't know how important it is but the meat market is the Butcher Block, formerly Rankin's. I grew up in Larned and visited there this past week. I think I miss it

[nm_photojournalist]

I haven't passed through Larned in two years, so was astonished that the little meat market is just off the "freeway!" T'was no freeways when I went through...although the old, U.S. highway "was" free I guess. Just kidding.
I'm a Santa Fe Trail fan, so enjoy both Fort Larned, and the Santa Fe Trail Center just west of town. Fort Larned is one of the best preserved military posts in the entire West. This was primarily due to the fact that the buildings are made of native, Kansas Limestone. Limestone "fence-posts" are becoming more rare now, but they replaced "even rarer" wooden posts for barbed wire fences in the 1800's.
Nice little park, Best Western, etc. on the NE side. I "think" there is a golf course there...but not for certain. All in all, it's a typical, small-Midwest town. In most regards, that's not a bad thing, except they can tend to be very conservative. If you're conservative, then you're in luck. :-)

[summerrayne]

There is a nice golf course there but the entire town smells horrible! I grew up there and go back to visit a lot. I always have to bring a ton of Benadryl thanks to the feedlots surrounding the town. If you drive in at night there is a lovely greenish haze filled with the wonderful aroma of cow dung smothering Larned. There is a movie theater, Alco, Dillons, a couple of decent restaurants, and lots of small antique stores.

[Wisewoman]

I grew up in Larned as well and have a distinct memory of the alphalfa mill outside of town. It could get pretty ripe but have not experienced it the last couple of visits. I left Larned when I was 23 and said I probably would not ever move back. Now I am 10 years from retirement and thinking it might be a great place to retire. A person could actually live on Social Security there
I visited recently and my husband feel in love with it, it does have it's charm.

[sunflower sue]

I used to live in Larned and I love the town. My sister lives there so I visit there still. I would move back in a heartbeat, but I am with my mom now and she will not move anywhere with a bad smell. The feedlot smell isn't constant; it depends on the wind and the weather. We call it "Eau d'Larned".

[DrAbs]

I am also moving to Larned (for a year), so I would 2nd the motion for any tips on making it an enjoyable year!