City of Jewell: Buffalo come to Buffalo Valley

Jewell, Kansas is in the Buffalo Valley with the East, Middle and West Branches of Buffalo Creek flowing nearby. Though now only six blocks long, Buffalo Street is one of the east-west streets in the north part of Jewell. The town is also situated in Jewell County's Buffalo Township.

Historically, the first building in the town was Fort Jewell, built in May of 1870. It was manned by 28 Buffalo Militiamen. There is the old story from 1870 about Billy Street walking west of Jewell, climbing Scarbrough Hill and seeing nothing to the west, north and south but buffalo.

With all the stories and connections, it seemed natural for the buffalo to become a sesquicentennial symbol for Jewell. Four large buffalo were installed during the celebration in 2020. Two of those are located by the Welcome signs at the south and north sides of Jewell along Highway 14.  The third is on the north side of Lake Emerson and the fourth is in Maag Park.

Now there are more! Eleven more! Entering Jewell from the north at 864 Highway 14, one finds "Buffalo Bourb."  Painted by Victoria Willitts, the buffalo is sponsored by Eric Bourbon. Situated on the east side of Highway 14 (105 Grant) is a "medium sized" buffalo, "Sparky." Sparky is sponsored by Bohnert Welding and Pioneer Seed and was painted by Marla Bohnert Koops.

There are nine more of the smaller buffalo, all different, to be found. Also on Highway 14, but on the west side of the street (115 North Columbus) is "Sam." Sam was painted by the Burks Family and sponsored by Citizens State Agency.

Located at 105 S. Custer is "Casey."  Billi Loomis Arasmith painted Casey and he is sponsored by Jewell Implement. East of Casey, behind the Jewell Community Center, there are two buffalo. One, "Buffalo Bill" is sponsored by Bill and Becky Loomis and the artist was Marla Bohnert Koops. The second, "Jewell A. Mazing" was painted by Matt Homelvig. This buffalo is sponsored by the Jewell Chamber of Commerce.

"Gunner," painted by artist Victoria Willitts, is on the southeast corner of Delaware and Washington Streets. Gunner is sponsored by LeRoy Bourbon.

Just north of Gunner, at 120 North Washington, is "Cash."  The artist was Kevin Marozas and Cash is sponsored by Guarantee State Bank and Trust. 

At 403 Delaware, Frosty, Kerma and Rachel Crouse are the sponsors of "Tatanka." This buffalo was painted by artist Jim Nelson. The word "tatanka" is the Lakota word for buffalo.

"Lumber Jack" is located at 303 Broadway. He was painted by Tanya Zentz Schleifer and Abbey Schleifer. Lumber Jack is sponsored by Pat Oplinger Zentz.

Finally, there is "J.J."  He is found, sporting a Jewell High Wildcat letter jacket, at 311 S. Washington near the old high school. J.J. is sponsored by the J-Janes and was painted by Joyce Benedict.

It is good to have buffalo "roaming" the area again!  Stop by and see them!