Beloit is a growing hub in the Solomon Valley
Along northern Kansas’ Solomon River, the city of Beloit is home to plenty of small-town traditions, outdoor activities and historic buildings. “It’s more than just a small, rural town in Kansas,” says Mandy Fincham, executive director of Mitchell County Tourism. “It’s growing because we’re taking proactive steps to get back residents who moved away and to bring in new businesses.” U.S. Route 24 is lined with hardware stores and farm supply shops, while downtown features a growing small business scene. Just over 3,400 people call Beloit home, and new homes and renewable energy sources are being built as Beloit looks to grow.
Vintage homes and new developments shape Beloit’s housing scene
Beloit’s grid-patterned streets tend to offer sidewalk access, extensive rows of streetside trees and small yards. With 1938 as its median year of home construction, the city has a largely vintage housing stock. Its most recently sold homes - mainly ranch-style properties - were built from the 1950s to 1980s and sold for between $110,000 and $320,000. Living options in Beloit are expanding and modernizing. “We have at least eight new houses being built right now,” Fincham says. “We’re also going to retrofit an old juvenile school from the 1990s into new apartments.”
Historic downtown offers diverse dining and unique local art
In downtown Beloit, century-old buildings with false fronts continue to house the city’s small business scene. Bubba Q’s is regionally known for its St. Louis-style barbecue, including smoked meat plates and sandwiches. The Plum Creek Restaurant offers a mixture of comfort foods and upmarket fare. The Banner Restaurant has been a mainstay for burgers since 1954. “It’s a very old restaurant that’s been well-kept and has great fries,” Fincham says. “They’ve actually redone the restaurant in the past ten years and put up a lot of old pictures of Beloit.” Ray’s Apple Market serves as Beloit’s local supermarket. Route 24 hosts several businesses that supply everyday needs from animal feed to tractors and hardware.
Downtown has also been beautified by work from local artists. “We have lots of murals around the community and artists who have dedicated their time to make them,” Fincham says. “We have what we call a 3D mural - one man who owns a parking lot created a huge mural called ‘Waleigh’s World’ that includes a ship, fictional businesses, and an imaginary world he created all on his own.”
Parks host large community events and year-round recreation
Near Beloit’s southern edge, Chautauqua Park hosts everyday recreation and annual events from a bend in the Solomon River. This park includes a large swimming area, a disc golf course, paths along the riverbank, tennis courts and spaces for free overnight camping. During the holiday season, the park hosts the Isle of Lights show, where volunteers put up over 260 light displays for thousands of visitors to behold. “It’s one of the better light shows in the state,” Fincham says. “Volunteers start putting it up in October, and it starts on Thanksgiving weekend and goes all the way until New Year’s Eve.” Westside Park puts a playground, tennis and basketball courts and swing sets in the heart of Beloit’s residential areas. The private Beloit Country Club includes a 9-hole golf course where tournaments are held throughout the spring and summer. As the county seat, Beloit also hosts the Mitchell County Fair in late July, with competitions including dairy judging, a demolition derby and live music. The Solomon Valley Cinema, run by high schoolers and adult volunteers, shows two films every Tuesday through Sunday for low ticket prices.
Beloit schools emphasize careers and sports
Students can start their education at Beloit Elementary School, which receives a B-minus rating from Niche, before attending the B-plus-rated Beloit Junior-Senior High School. Beloit Senior High offers 13 career and technical pathways, including business management and comprehensive agriculture, enabling students to tailor their education towards their career aspirations. “Our school system is really supportive, and we’re also known for our sports,” Fincham says. “Through fundraising, we’ve raised over $1 million for new turf for our football field. People put a lot of pride and love into Beloit.” Fort Hays Tech North Central College can help students continue to grow in their vocational journeys. St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church, locally renowned for its unique limestone architecture, operates a private school that brings in students from across the country.
U.S. Route 24 connects Beloit to nearby cities
U.S. Route 24 runs past Beloit and connects the city to Salina, 65 miles to the southeast, and to Manhattan, 95 miles away. Beloit has its own medical center, the Mitchell County Hospital.
Written By
Jacob Adelhoch
