DISCOVER WAMEGO – THE LAND OF OZ
Off The Beaten Track Travels
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Wamego – The Land of Oz
Although I was raised in Michigan, I became aware of Kansas at an early age. Dorothy and her faithful dog Toto gave me an early introduction to Kansas, including it’s tornadoes – you know the ones – the terrifying twisty storms which served as portals to a far off land full of witches and wizards and other strange denizens. The 1939 film The Wizard of Oz etched the name “Kansas” indelibly in my memory. I have a feeling I am not alone in that regard. But little did I know at the time that some day, I too, would reside in Kansas. Such is the strange stuff of life as they say.
While I’m not an actual native of Kansas, I’ve resided here long enough to call it home. I’ve traveled the state from end to end and I’ve previously photographed and written about many interesting things that I’ve seen and discovered. (In case you are curious click HERE for a sampling of articles.) But it was only recently that my path took me to the small community of Wamego, Kansas. It’s located about forty miles west of Topeka, Kansas on Interstate 70 and then another 10 miles or so north on Kansas Highway 99. (Yes, dear travelers – to visit Wamego you must get off the Interstate – deal with it.) It seems that in 2003 the Kansas Legislature designated this particular 10 mile stretch of Kansas 99 as the “Road To Oz,” which is only fitting. You see, Wamego is where I encountered Many Things Oz – including The Oz Museum, The Yellow Brick Road, Multiple Totos including Toto’s Tacoz, and even The Oz Winery. Seems like in Kansas, Wamego is Oz Central.
Map To Wamego – The Land of Oz
So where did this all come from? I’m not clear on the exact details, but several residents of Wamego reported to me that their city’s connection with The Land of Oz started with a resident’s collection of Oz Memorabilia. The collection grew and grew until it was – well – noteworthy. Beyond that, the story is less clear but it seems that eventually the collection evolved into the basis and core of what became The Oz Museum. The Oz Museum is the central Oz feature in Wamego. Over the years, with the success and experience of the museum, it seems that others began to build on the theme of Oz in the City of Wamego. And the rest is, as they say, history.
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Breakfast Is Served
I arrived in Wamego in the mid-morning accompanied by a sense of excitement and a bit of hunger as well. My first agenda therefore was to find a good breakfast. I am happy to report I was successful.
Friendship House – Restaurant & Bakery
Friendship House is both a restaurant and bakery. It is housed – quite literally – in a fine old house on Ash Street facing Wamego City Park. The front of the house functions as the restaurant’s dining area, seating around 70 patrons, and serving home cooked breakfast and lunch. The bakery operates out of the back of the home.
Traditional Breakfast – Friendship House Restaurant
I went with the full traditional breakfast. It was delicious and filling. The restaurant’s dining area in the front room of the home is very pleasant. It is furnished in a fashion in keeping with the home style cooking and the location is a nicely appointed home. The staff is delightful, attentive and very helpful – and they are very pleased and happy to talk about their town, it’s features, and it’s history.
Learn more about Friendship House Restaurant at their website –
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Follow The Yellow Brick Road
After a fine country breakfast at the Friendship House I set out to explore the Oz Side of Wamego. I didn’t have to go far. Immediately outside the restaurant I encountered a road – actually a yellow road – you know, as in The Yellow Brick Road.
Yes Dorothy – There is a Yellow Brick Road in Wamego – The Land of Oz
No-one had to tell me what to do – I’ve seen the movie for gosh sakes. Dutifully I did as the mantra directs – I followed the Yellow Brick Road.
The Yellow Brick Road – Wamego
The Yellow Brick Road wandered a short way through a shady lane and ended up on Wamego’s main street. ( And yes, that is an emerald green statue of Toto on the left – more on that later.) After emerging on the main street I wandered about a bit in pursuit of anything Oz or Oz-like. It was time to explore.
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A Taste of Oz Wine
My journey of exploration continued along the main street of Wamego. It wasn’t long before I encountered The Oz Winery. It’s right on the western side of the main street. It’s painted a distinctive bright green.
The Oz Winery – Wamego
The Oz Winery offers a variety of items and most of them seem to be related to the Oz theme – go figure. Not surprisingly you will find wine lots of wine for sale. But the winery also offers other Oz and Kansas themed products such as clothing (Think T-Shirts, hats, etc.), glassware and wine accessories. In addition they offer cheeses, Kansas made jams, chocolates and even a few cigars.
Bright and Cheerful Interior of the Oz Winery
The main focus of the Oz Winery is, of course, wine. They have been in business for almost 11 years now and offer a variety of wines including various red, white, blush and dessert wines. At present they do not have their own vineyard, although according to management one is currently under development. In the meantime they acquire their grape from other vineyards, primarily in the Kansas and Missouri region. Oz Winery – Display of Various Oz Wines
The wines offered by theOz Winery are truly distinctive – especially in terms of their names and labels.
Melted Merlot – With Melting Witch Label of course
“A medium bodied Merlot with notes of black currant and smooth oak finish.”
Flying Monkey
“A jammy Zinfandel with a peppery finish.”
The Oz Winery offers a variety of tastings of their wines or, if you really want to do some serious sampling, you can purchase wine flights. It was still morning when I visited and I had just completed a large breakfast so I limited my sampling to a small taste of Flying Monkey. It was really quite good – but I am mostly enchanted by the name and label.
To find out more about the Oz Winery and to order products and merchandise you can visit their website at –
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The Oz Museum
Amply satisfied with a fine breakfast and a wee taste Oz wine, I continued my explorations in search of Wamegos’s main attraction – The Oz Museum. Wamego is not a large town so it was just a short walk north from the winery to the museum’s front door. You can’t miss it. It is located toward the northern end of the store fronts which line the main north / south street of Wamego – Kansas 99 – aka The Road To Oz. The museum tends to stand out with it’s brightly painted green and yellow facade on west side of the street.
The Oz Museum – Wamego
The Oz Museum is full of all sorts of stuff related to The Wizard of Oz, The Land of Oz and really Anything Oz. There’s old stuff, memorabilia, Oz tableaus, and yes – of course – a well stocked Oz gift shop. It’s all really well done in a quirky sort of way and an interesting experience, especially for anyone with a love of Oz. As I explored the exhibits I was whisked back to my childhood images of Kansas, complete with Dorothy and Toto, her faithful companions – The Scarecrow, The Tin Man, and The Lion – and the strange locations and destinations including Dorothy’s Kansas farm home, The Land of Oz, and The Emerald City. As you wander through the exhibits in The Oz Museum you too will meet some old friends.
The Scarecrow – In search of a brain
The Tin Man – In search of a heart
The Lion – In search of courage
But watch out “me pretties” – The Wicked Witch also lurks within the museum. The Wicked Witch of the West
For true students of Oz there’s tons of memorabilia – the collection is indeed extensive. One of many displays of Wizard of Oz memorabilia
For me it was great to reconnect with my old buddy – The Tin Man. He seemed somehow a bit larger than I recalled however ……….
For more information about The Oz Museum – their hours, fees, etc – visit their website at
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Toto’s Tacoz
If your exploration of the Oz Museum leaves you a bit hungry – well, you are in luck. Immediately next door to the museum is a great little Mexican restaurant which is, of course, appropriately Oz themed. It’s name? Toto’s Tacoz. I always enjoy exploring local restaurants while I’m traveling. So, even though I had only recently had a large breakfast followed by a wine tasting, I felt compelled to check out Toto’s place. I stopped in to sample Toto’s take on Mexican Food.
Toto’s Tacoz! – Wamego
Toto’s Tacoz! – Brightly Colored & Festive Interior
Toto’s Tacoz has a bright and airy interior with a design suggestive of a Mexican Patio. I suppose there must be Mexican food and Mexican patios in The Land of Oz. Right?
Dorothy is there – wearing a Mexican sombrero of course …………
Plated Taco at Toto’s Tacoz!
Given the name of Toto’s place, I figured it was only fair to sample one of his tacos. They serve good tacos – crispy and flavorful. A nice tasty treat as a follow up to a visit to The Land of Oz and it’s museum. You can get more information and check out their menu by visiting their website at –
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A Town Full of Totos
There’s something new in Wamego – The Land of Oz this year. The town is full of Totos – colorful statues of Toto that is. The Totos are the result of a very interesting community art project / fund raiser held earlier in 2018 – “Totos Around Town”. The project was similar to the “Cows on Parade” community art project held in Kansas City in 2001. In Wamego, local artists designed and decorated sculptures of Dorothy’s well known and much loved dog Toto. Fifteen different Totos were created in all. Local organizations then “adopted” the Toto of their choice after which each was installed in a public location in Wamego. Today Wamego – The Land of Oz is truly a Town Full of Totos.
The Emerald City Toto stands guard at the entrance to The Yellow Brick Road on Wamego’s main street.
Emerald City Toto
This colorful Toto, titled “The Lollipop Guild” resides at the “other end” of The Yellow Brick Road outside the Friendship House restaurant on Ash Street.
Lollipop Guild Toto
All decked out and ready for a dip in the pool, this Toto – titled “Splash” – keeps visitors company outside the Wamego City Hall.
“Splash” Toto
You can learn more about the Totos Around Town project, see photos of all 15 Totos, and learn their locations by visiting –
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The next time you visit the State of Kansas I hope you will consider venturing beyond the Interstate Highways and sample a taste of Off The Beaten Track Travel. If you are a lover of The Wizard of Oz, or if you are just a wee bit interested the timeless story of Dorothy and her dog Toto, I suggest you pay a visit to Wamego, Kansas where you will find a variety of fun and interesting sites related to The Land of Oz.
Visit The Land of Oz (aka Wamego, KS) ………… And Enjoy the Adventure!
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