Why Thousands of Wizard of Oz Fans Make an Annual Pilgrimage to This Tiny Kansas Prairie Town

Wamego, Kansas

Wamego, Kansas took one storybook classic and ran with it, turning this small prairie town into an unexpected Oz hub. Beyond its famous Oz Museum and annual Oztoberfest, you’ll find a solid slice of Kansas life: good barbecue joints, a historic Dutch mill, and a downtown that makes it easy to imagine you’re on the yellow brick road.

The Oz Museum Movie Props

The town’s pride is its Oz Museum, which opened in 2003. Inside, you’ll find over 2,000 Oz-related artifacts, spanning more than a century.

It houses original movie posters and rare autographs from actors, including props from the Broadway musical “Wicked.” Start with W.W. Denslow’s 24-color illustrated pages from the first edition of “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” (1900).

Move on to the sepia-toned Auntie Em’s Gift Shop. You can even step into a room that lets you feel what it’s like to be in a tornado. It even houses a Munchkin jacket worn in the 1939 MGM film.

The Oz Murals Downtown

Wamego’s downtown area showcases the Yellow Brick Road Mural Series, featuring depictions of the “Emerald City,” “Tin Man,” and the “Cowardly Lion.”

Local artist Abbi Clark contributed a 10-foot by 35-foot mural at Wamego’s Sonic Drive-In, the largest of its kind.

The Columbian Theatre in Wamego houses historic murals from the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, which is believed to have inspired the Emerald City concept in L. Frank Baum’s Oz series.

Yellow Brick Lined Walkways

Instead of painting the sidewalks yellow or using fake materials, Wamego installed actual yellow bricks downtown. The entrance is marked by an Emerald Toto statue, welcoming you to explore the themed pathway.

The Yellow Brick Road Mural Series in Wamego includes seven murals, each illustrating different aspects of the Wizard of Oz story. The golden path runs for several blocks through the town center, taking you past different Oz-themed shops.

Let’s Talk About Emerald City

Located in Wamego City Park, this playground is designed to represent the Emerald City, featuring play structures like the Xcelerator and double wilder slides.

Downtown, green glass sculptures stand among carefully chosen plants that keep their color all year round.

Each April, Emerald City comes alive during the Tulip Festival, as vibrant tulips line the garden patches with 200 craft vendors featuring local fare and Oz-inspired handicrafts.

Town Clock Plays Songs

At the heart of downtown, a special clock brings music to the streets every hour. When the hour strikes, you’ll hear famous songs like “Over the Rainbow” and “We’re Off to See the Wizard” ring through the air.

The clock face shows numbers designed with Oz elements, and the whole structure is built to handle Kansas storms. These cheerful tunes follow you as you walk through downtown, making your visit feel more magical.

Dozens of Ruby Slippers

The Oz Museum has a remarkable collection of ruby slippers that look exactly like the ones from the MGM film. There’s a sequin from an original pair of ruby slippers worn in the 1939 film, accompanied by a signed letter from the shoe’s owner.

You’ll see shoes made of crystal, precious metals, and even recycled items. The museum also offers replicas of the iconic ruby slippers for purchase, allowing fans to take home a piece of Oz-inspired memorabilia.

Stained Glass Pieces

At the Oz Museum, vibrant stained glass pieces depicting iconic characters tell the Oz story piece by piece.

Notably, in 2018, the museum showcased stained glass pieces by Century Studios, including character panels and other artworks inspired by the Oz series.

The windows look their best at sunset when light streams through their bright colors.

Museum’s Literary Artifacts

The town’s library holds a precious collection of old Oz books and papers that even researchers come to study. You can find first editions of the Oz series, original artwork, and marketing materials from the early 1900s when Baum was still writing.

The library keeps these treasures in special temperature-controlled cases to protect them. While anyone can see certain items during regular hours, you’ll need to make an appointment to look at the rarest pieces.

There’s Dorothy’s House

Wamego does feature a replica of Dorothy’s farmhouse (the one that blew away) at the corner of Highway 99 and Highway 24. One clever building serves as both a tourist spot and a real tornado shelter.

This attraction includes a representation of the Wicked Witch of the East’s legs protruding from beneath the house, reminiscent of the iconic scene from ‘The Wizard of Oz.’

Famous Dog Toto from 1939

This charming public art installation of Dorothy’s beloved canine companion is known as “Totos Around Town,” which includes multiple creatively designed and painted Toto statues by local artists scattered across town. ​

The artwork captures Kansas’s most beloved fictional dog in perfect detail. Embark on a scavenger hunt to locate all the Toto statues or just rub Toto’s ears for luck, the locals claim it’s tradition.

The Town Celebrates Oz

The town’s commitment to the Wizard of Oz theme is evident in local businesses, many of which incorporate Oz-inspired decor and merchandise.

Wamego’s annual OZtoberFest features a costume contest, a Toto look-alike competition, an outdoor Oz market, and a classic car show.

While families enjoy Munchkinland’s games, there’s the Wizard’s Beer & Wine Garden, perfect if you’re traveling solo.