24-Foot Tall Kansas Giant Who Wrestled Tornadoes And Carved Rivers With His Hands
This is the colossal tale and fascinating history of Kansas’ homegrown folk hero Johnny Kaw, the Sunflower State’s secret superhero!
MANHATTAN, KS – In the rich landscape of American folklore, every region claims its own larger-than-life heroes. While Paul Bunyan roams the northern forests and Pecos Bill tames the Wild West, the plains of Kansas have their own mythical giant: Johnny Kaw. Let’s delve into the origins, tales, and lasting impact of this uniquely Kansan legend.
The Birth of a Legend
In 1955, as Manhattan, Kansas prepared to celebrate its centennial, a local horticulture professor named George Filinger saw an opportunity. Recognizing that his state lacked a folk hero to call its own, Filinger put pen to paper and breathed life into Johnny Kaw. This fictional settler would become the protagonist of a series of tall tales that captured the spirit of Kansas and its people.
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Filinger’s creation first appeared in the pages of The Manhattan Mercury, the local newspaper. These stories quickly captured the public’s imagination, weaving Johnny Kaw into the very fabric of Kansas history and geography.
Johnny Kaw’s Incredible Feats
As with all good folk heroes, Johnny Kaw’s exploits were nothing short of miraculous. According to Filinger’s tales, this giant of a man single-handedly shaped the Kansas landscape. He carved out the Kansas River Valley with his bare hands, turning what was once a flat expanse into a lush, fertile region.
But Johnny’s talents weren’t limited to earthmoving. He was also credited with agricultural marvels that defined the state. It was said that he introduced wheat to the plains, planting vast fields that would become the state’s golden bounty. The iconic Kansas sunflower? That was Johnny’s invention too.
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Perhaps most impressively, Johnny Kaw was said to have power over the elements themselves. When tornadoes threatened the land, he would simply reach up and snip off their funnels. During times of drought, he’d wring out the clouds like wet laundry, bringing much-needed rain to parched crops.
A Legacy in Literature and Stone
While Filinger’s original book of Johnny Kaw stories went out of print after 1969, the legend lived on. In 1997, author Jerri Garretson introduced Johnny to a new generation with a children’s picture book. This revival helped ensure that the tall tales of Kansas’ homegrown hero would continue to inspire and entertain.
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However, Johnny Kaw’s most visible legacy stands tall in Manhattan City Park. A 24-foot statue depicting the giant settler wielding his trusty scythe serves as a permanent reminder of this uniquely Kansan legend. The statue’s journey to existence was almost as eventful as one of Johnny’s tall tales, involving vandalism, accidents, and a community coming together to make it a reality.
Johnny Kaw in Popular Culture
While perhaps not as widely known as some other American folk heroes, Johnny Kaw has made his mark on popular culture. His appearance in a Zippy the Pinhead comic strip in 2005 brought him to a national audience, introducing readers across the country to this Kansas giant.
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More importantly, Johnny Kaw continues to serve as a source of pride and identity for Kansans. His tales, blending the real challenges faced by settlers with fantastical feats, reflect the spirit of perseverance and ingenuity that defines the state’s character.
In creating Johnny Kaw, George Filinger gave Kansas more than just a folk hero. He provided a lens through which to view the state’s history, geography, and values. Whether shaping the land, battling the elements, or simply embodying the larger-than-life spirit of the frontier, Johnny Kaw stands as a powerful symbol of Kansas’ cultural heritage and imagination.
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