WELCOME TO THE
OFFICIAL KITE FLIGHT
CAPITAL OF NEBRASKA

Situated in the scenic seven valleys region of central Nebraska, located 65 miles northwest of Kearney on Highway 40 or 45 miles north of the Lexington exit on Interstate 80, Callaway has a rich past and a promising future.  Friendly people and a small town hospitality make Callaway the cozy community that it is.

Nestled in the heart of the seven valleys, Callaway has had quite a history….

Callaway’s settlement began right after the civil war. The seven valleys region, laced with peaceful little creeks flowing into the South Loup River, was traditional Pawnee hunting ground. French explorers had given the South Loup River its name (“Loup” being French for “Wolf”).

Callaway was named for S.R. Callaway, second vice president and general manager of the Union Pacific Railroad when the Wood River Grade was made from Kearney to the new townsite.  The founders of this new community at the end of the line found it fitting to honor him with a community bearing his name.

Born Samuel Rogers Callaway in 1850, he was a native of Toronto, Canada. He entered the railroad industry as an office boy in 1862 at the age of 13. In less than 40 years he became president of the American Locomotive Co., the greatest concern of its kind in the world. Mr. Callaway died in June 1904 in New York City.

Incidentally, the east-west streets were named after other railroad officials at the time, and the north-south avenues were named after members of the syndicate and homesteaders.

Each Labor Day Weekend,  a 200-acre prairie just a few miles down the road from Callaway is transformed into an amazing site with a dazzling array of kites and an entry way lined with 27 state flags and 19 national flags. Talk about a visual display!

You will be welcomed here and can view a beautiful array of colorful kites in the skies above Callaway.  Bring your own kite to fly or you will be able to shop for kites & wind items at Picture Perfect Kites one of our vendors on site.  Try our delicious food sold at our concession stand.  You’ll be  introduced to locals and guests alike. Don’t know how to fly a kite? …No problem. Friendly flyers will offer to share their insights. You’re a professional flyer wanting some safe space to try out a fabulous kite? We’ve got the perfect place for you in our pro zone.

Named by USA Today as a Top Ten Flying Site in America, Foster Smith Field is located 4 miles southeast of Callaway along Highway 40. This is not just for avid and amateur kite fliers either. It’s for families, friends, picnics, photographers, campers, weddings, dates,college breaks, memories and more!

For what Callaway has to offer as a destination, a home, and a business headquarters, Visit Callaway! (http://www.callaway-ne.com)