| Pratt,
Kansas
Pratt,
Kansas proclaims itself as the “Gateway to
the High Plains”. Situated in the meandering
hills and rolling grasslands of south-central Kansas,
Pratt is bordered by the Ninnescah
River. This is a lovely small town of 6,570
residents (Census 2000 data . Founded in 1884, it
is the county seat of Pratt
County. Pratt is the lively center of
commerce, education, and culture for the
surrounding area.
One
of Pratt’s claims to fame is its twin water
towers. A practical joker climbed them,
painting ‘Hot’ on one and ‘Cold’ on the
other. Photos of Pratt’s towers have appeared
nationwide.
Residents
of Pratt have transformed their tall-grass prairie
home into a lush and shady Tree
City. 193 acres of parkland, spread over nine
different parks, grace this lovely town. The
surrounding area is a nature lover’s delight.
The Pratt
Sandhills Wildlife Area is 5,715 acres of
sand-hill prairie, with abundant wildlife and
birds roaming the dunes. The Texas
Lake Wildlife Area contains marshland and
wetlands, attracting a diversity of wildlife.
Sportsmen enjoy hunting and fishing throughout the
Pratt region.
Downtown
Pratt is a shopper’s delight. Strolling the
brick-lined, shady streets, any type of store can
be found, from antique shops to modern discount
outlets. A number of quaint Victorian homes have
been refurbished and today house businesses as
well as residences. The Barron
Theater is an architectural treasure. Built in
the 1930’s in Art Deco design, the cinema
operates two screens and shows first run films.
Local art can be viewed at the Delmar
Riney Gallery.
Education
is a high priority in all of Kansas.
Its excellent school system extends through Pratt
County. Pratt
Community College offers outstanding higher
education. Barclay
College lies twenty miles from the town and Wichita
State University is seventy five miles.
Pratt’s
ideal location makes it an excellent site to
locate a business. Situated on US Highways 54, 281
and K-61, and only seventy miles from the major
city of Wichita,
Pratt offers great access for distribution.
Agriculture and the railroad have been the
mainstays of Pratt County, but manufacturing,
retail, oil and gas are all increasing to provide
a steady, stable economy for Pratt. High
technology infrastructure is being put in place,
and the Pratt
Airport Authority has a 200-acre Industrial
Park within the enterprise zone. The Economic
Development Association stands ready to aid
incoming firms.
Pratt,
Kansas remains a gem of a town. Its people are
determined residents who stay true to their
community while planning their bright future.
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