Calista is an unincorporated community in Kingman County, Kansas, United States. [1] It was named from the Greek Callista, meaning "most beautiful". [2]
Calista became a community in 1886 after the community of Maud (1881-1886) was moved there. [3] This original community known as "Old Calista" lasted until 1896 [4] when the community had to be moved to make way for the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway. [5] [6] "New" Calista was founded about two miles west-southwest of "Old" Calista [7] and was a town until 1955. [8] Now Calista only has a few buildings remaining and a small grain elevator open for about two weeks a year during the wheat harvest. [9]
Calista is located in southern Kansas about nine miles west of the city of Kingman and is near the south bank of the Ninnescah River. [10] [11]
The community is served by Kingman–Norwich USD 331 public school district.
The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway formerly provided passenger rail service to Calista on a line between Wichita and Pratt. Dedicated passenger service was provided until at least 1926, while mixed trains continued until at least 1961. [12] [13] As of 2025, the nearest passenger rail station is located in Hutchinson, where Amtrak's Southwest Chief stops once daily on a route from Chicago to Los Angeles. [14]
Municipalities and communities of Kingman County, Kansas, United States | ||
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37°38′23″N98°16′57″W / 37.63972°N 98.28250°W
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