Hugoton has local legends, a rural economy and small-town charm
Hugoton made its name on two things — natural gas and Bonnie and Clyde. The latter is mostly rumor and legend, where locals believe the iconic pair hid under aliases in the city for a while. The former, however, is something that shapes life in Hugoton. Discovered in the 1920s, the Hugoton Gas Field stretches across Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas and is the largest of its kind in the country. It is a major industry and employer in the area, along with agriculture and cattle farming. When not at work, residents can enjoy having most of their needs met right at home, from parks to grocery stores. Local organizations like the 4-H Club and churches are active, creating a strong social scene and a close community atmosphere.
Parks, sports leagues and youth groups keep Hugoton active
Hugoton City Park is in the center of town and includes the community pool. Plenty of trees shade its open space and playground. Raydene Park stretches three blocks to form a long disc golf course, and residents can check out frisbees from the recreation department. Hugoton Recreation Commission is the community recreation center with a baseball diamond and tennis courts. There are also indoor and outdoor basketball courts. “They’re getting ready to start the women’s volleyball league, and they have pickup basketball games one or twice a week,” says Carrie Baeza, City Clerk with the City of Hugoton. The public can play a nine-hole round at Forewinds Golf Course.
Outside of local sports leagues, there are plenty of other ways for residents to get involved in Hugoton. “We have a lot of different churches, and they each have their own youth groups,” Baeza says. “You don’t necessarily need to belong to that church to participate in them.” The Senior Center also hosts many events to keep older residents engaged and part of the community. “They’ll do a weekly bridge game, weekly card games and monthly dances, and anyone in the community is invited to go,” Baeza says. “Our 4-H group put on a senior prom for them in the spring.”
Ranch-style homes and Cape Cods located around Hugoton
Ranch-style homes and the occasional Cape Cod line Hugoton’s wide streets. Driveways lead to a mix of detached and attached garages. Front yards have trees with lots of space between them, creating an open, spacious feel. Homes typically range from $100,000 to $250,000, with properties offering half an acre typically selling on the higher end of the spectrum.
While Kansas is in the middle of Tornado Alley, FEMA gives Stevens County a relatively low tornado risk rating. Additionally, First Street gives Hugoton a minor risk rating for wind, citing that the last severe tornado was an F2 twister in 1951.
Hugoton Public Schools offers athletic and arts programs
Hugoton Public Schools receives a B rating from Niche. Preschoolers and kindergarteners head to the Early Childhood Development Center. It is right across the street from Hugoton Elementary School, which houses first through sixth graders. Hugoton Middle School serves seventh and eighth grade students. At Hugoton High School, students can participate in various sports teams. “If we have an away football or basketball game, our local movie theater will stream it so everyone can watch,” Baeza says. However, sports don’t dominate the city’s culture. Baeza says the school’s theater, music and arts programs are also a big part of student engagement. “We have a high school-middle school art teacher who takes students to regional art contests,” Baeza says.
Bonnie and Clyde-themed sports bars and local grocery stores
Bonnie and Clyde Grill and Sports Bar leans into the town’s local legend. Photos of the couple hang on the walls, and the menus look like newspapers and include stories about the infamous duo alongside dinner items like steaks and burgers. For Mexican meals, locals stop in Los Agaves Bar and Grill. Jet Drive-In is a small American diner with lots of pictures on the walls and plants around the booths. For groceries, Gene’s Heartland Foods is a family owned option. Flatlanders Farm and Home is a hardware store, but it also has some grocery options. The nearest Walmart is about 32 miles away in Liberal .
Seasonal festivals draw families and visitors to Hugoton
The Fourth of July celebration in Hugoton is one of their biggest, starting with events in one of the city’s parks. Activities are family friendly and include things like turtle races and egg tosses. The festival ends with fireworks. In September, the High Plains Fall Fling Vendor and Craft Show sets up at Eagle RV Park, featuring plenty of local artisans. It coincides with the High Plains Music Fest across the street at the Dirtona Raceway and features red dirt country and southern music. Baeza says the raceway hosts regional races about three or four times a year, bringing in participants from Texas, Oklahoma and even Colorado.
Nearby Liberal has amenities not offered in Hugoton
While amenities like the grocery stores and Stevens County Hospital are close to home in Hugoton, more are available in the bigger city of Liberal, about 33 miles away, connected by Kansas Route 51. Liberal Mid-America Regional Airport is about 34 miles away and offers regular United flights to Denver. Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport is the closest international airport, about 160 miles from Hugoton.
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Written By
Caroline Ernst
