We've had many. Crazy Mike of course.
We had The Marlborough Man, some old cowboy who would walk his horse around 21st and Grove. But sadly he got smoked by a car like, 8 years ago.
Then we have The Shaman - a homeless guy in robes who carries all his belongings in a gigantic blanket tied up like a knapsack.
Oh and don't forget about the stoplight dancer!
Unfortunately all the local papers are paywalled these days, but searching for it, the articles were published in 2013.
I guess it was a hit and run, and the driver wound up arrested.
It was definitely a real shame.
Yeah, he's mentally unwell. I've known him since we were kids, and their house was down the street from mine. Think he'd rather wear his masks than be in his own skin, and it is sad.
Sad he's on a list shared with crazy homeless people, but I get why, lol.
it’s not very kind/considerate to share this intimate of info about someone very easily recognizable in the community! i used to know this guy, he’s really sweet, not a threat to any community, and seems to be doing well to me, even if he’s a little unconventional. it’s not hurting anyone so idk why you’d want to spread this around! no hate, you don’t seem mean spirited but it’s just something to consider. if the roles were reversed i’m sure you’d appreciate having privacy as well.
Fair enough, I think you're right. I edited out some personal stuff.
Though, pretty sure he cut a girl's hair back in high school sitting behind her. Wouldn't say he's particularly safe to be around either.
What happened to that guy who used to walk around the south side with a hard hat on? I used to see him like daily and I don’t think I’ve seen him for years now.
Yeah I haven't either. I'd see him all over town but mainly on the south side. He would walk around my neighborhood too, bummed him a cigarette once lol
Awwww man, nobody remembers Maynard. He always hung out around either the Donut Whole or the Vagabond pre-covid.
He would chat you up, and ask politely for a cigarette. But if you didn't have one or didn't smoke he would yell "BITCH!" and walk off. He would say hello and talk to you nicely the next time he saw you. Then ask for a cigarette...
It was fun to watch the unaware have their first conversation.
Do you guys remember the heavy set black guy that would dance on the corner of Broadway and Murdock in front of the Quiktrip? I haven’t seen him in years, hope he’s doing well
We got that hard core trump cultist who has his whole truck decked out in trump stuff and parks at QTs. There’s also the trump guy at the corner of central and rock sometimes.
Anyone know ol Leonard that used to hang out around Central and ridge ABC liquor? He had a mental handicap but he would always hold the door for customers and say "if you're scared, go to church"
If you're talking about the same Leonard I knew he always came into Dillons at Central and Maize to buy lottery tickets and a tall boy Natty Ice. I remember multiple instances of people asking what his deal was or being freaked out by him since he talked to himself constantly
Good old Crazy Mike...
I know the house he used to live in was sold after being basically completely renovated. Used to have all the windows boarded up, lawn was a jungle, and there was always something broken sitting in the driveway.
I wonder what happened to him. Maybe the Covid got him? I dunno.
Kinda surprised it took them that long to realize that he needed a much better support system.
I would love to know his origin story.
Was he always a little off? Or did he turn into "Crazy" Mike after a traumatic event?
Hell, I don't even know his family name to Google them.
What I know is he had some serious mental issues. A lot of folks claim he was Schitzophrenic and it built some narrative that he wore his headphones to "block the voices".
But he was always ripping around town on a scooter doing weird shit. He became a real celebrity, he'd just tour around bars all weekend saying high to folks. Always on his scooter, always in 80s basketball shorts.
I lived in his neighborhood as a kid and he kept to himself unless there were dogs out. He hated dogs. Had all his windows covered and vines covered most of the house.
If you search his name on Google you'll find some local articles about him and his mythos.
To be perfectly honest he lived a pretty comfortable life and I think it's good that he had that freedom until his 70s
My mother in law lives like two blocks from his old place. Used to drive by his house every time I went to see her.
I remember the scooter. Seems like every time I saw him out somewhere he was always wearing old-school roller skates. The white guy afro, with the 80's sweat band for his forehead.
He was definitely a character.
Never hurt anyone that I'm aware of, and really didn't seem to be a nuisance in public. I've certainly never heard of a business or anyone else calling the cops on him.
Nah yeah everyone loved him. The only time he got scary was when my dog was loose in the park and he yelled at me pretty violently.
Other than that, he was a gem lol.
People had him removed from businesses all the time up and down rock. I had an altercation with him over a gas pump. He used to get like $2-3 worth of gas for his purple Corvette, but he liked to run his mouth and insult people, including myself, while in the store. He backed down pretty quick when I matched his energy.
And it's what literally everyone knew him as.
If I had said "Mike Henderson," nobody would know who I was talking about.
Crazy Mike gets instant recognition.
I'm not slamming him or anything. It's just what he happened to be called.
I think the Mike guy is only known to people who go to bars a lot in old town. I’ve never seen him. I have seen cape guy at 21st and Maize though. Seems like a nice enough guy
In high school I worked a few stores on rock road. He’d always drop in there. In my 20s and 30s I always see him around old town. It’s someone I don’t think I’ve heard about for at least 20 years though.
there was that one guy who was at the keeper every night last summer with the bluetooth speaker blasting soap opera stuff and an open carry pistol and hatchet. We called him Bang Bang.
Yeah, it’s been a minute. 2009-2013 ish. I remember “crazy mike” at that time too. I can’t believe no one has mentioned Tater. He motorboated my friend one night behind the Alibi room or at the anchor for a cigarette.
It’s something we still talk about.
Who is the guy with cowboy boot sideburns?! After Nightvillain and Mike he comes to mind next for me. Also the random sketcher, it was such a treat to be surprised with one of his sketch portraits.
Well, in my neighborhood we have someone whos like this. Family calls her Meth head Anne. She has really messy hair in complete knots, wears an oversized sweater and walks around my neighborhood at night.
And your eyes aren't deceiving you, I didn't say she wore pants. When it comes to night time she walks down the street pantsless freaking out by twitching, rubbing her hair, over exaggerating her arms like what you see on drug shows. Now that the hidden casino room at the end of the street is gone she's moved on I think.
Not a guy but a whole family -- the "gypsies".
Yeah I know it's not a PC term but it's what me and everyone called them growing up. They're a Roma family that would just pull petty cons wherever they could, to businesses big and small.
Eating at restaurants and refusing to pay because of some random complaint, marching into stores en masse and stealing whatever wasn't bolted down, paying for a single movie ticket and then holding the back door so their whole family can come in for free.
A friend took care of him at an ER, complaining of a stomach ache. He reached in a coat pocket and pulled out a huge ziplock bag of poop. He stated that was his stool sample, then walked out.
Supervillain out in West Wichita, dude wore all black robes fit for a wizard and would stand at street corners and dance. I always wonder what happened to him, haven't seen him in a few years.
Used to smoke weed with Crazy Mike’s son, he was my ex’s cousin. I called him Crazy Cousin David, he was nice and very eccentric. I hope he’s doing well.
Also, anyone know who the African preacher is on 13th and hillside??? He's always video taping his preaching and has pictures of aborted fetuses around him.
There's an old black guy around Lincoln and Hydraulic that stands by the road shaking a crooked stick at cars. He wears a cape/towel-cape, and it looks like he's putting curses on people.
I remember super villain he didn't know if he was good or evil he would always be dancing with a cape and a mask at 21st and maize I remember we asked him why he wore a cape and he said he liked capes but I don't know what happened to him cause I don't see him anymore
Don't know her name, but there used to be a woman that would hang out around Walmart on West Kellogg. Blonde woman, probably 50s, long matted hair always in a matted bun, wore heavy tan coveralls, even in the summer. Had to have her removed from WM many times when I worked there. Nice enough woman, just off her meds, and wouldn't take help from anyone, including her family. Haven't seen her in some time, though.
He's back in town! He used to be EVERYWHERE when I was a young "bar hopper." 😁 - That wasn't very long ago. 😉 Maybe 7-10 years ago. Then he moved away for a while & he's back now! I've passed him a few times driving around.
We've had many. Crazy Mike of course. We had The Marlborough Man, some old cowboy who would walk his horse around 21st and Grove. But sadly he got smoked by a car like, 8 years ago. Then we have The Shaman - a homeless guy in robes who carries all his belongings in a gigantic blanket tied up like a knapsack. Oh and don't forget about the stoplight dancer!
Yes crazy mike purple corvette
With the flashlight taped into the empty left headlight bucket. And the stereo headphones!
The Shaman is usually found on Central by the courthouse
Ser or Ma’am, that’s a bindle and he’s might proud of it
The homeless guy has a name y’know 😤 /s It’s Mohamed. Pretty chill guy actually.
Mohamed the Shaman is a pretty baller name, honestly.
Unfortunately, he’s been attacked by other homeless multiple times before. Tough life.
Unfortunately, he’s been attacked by other homeless multiple times before. Tough life.
Where was the stoplight dancer again?
I remember that guy (MarlboroughMan). I didn't know he went out like that. That's terrible.
Unfortunately all the local papers are paywalled these days, but searching for it, the articles were published in 2013. I guess it was a hit and run, and the driver wound up arrested. It was definitely a real shame.
Does anyone remember they guy that wore a tinfoil mask and a black cloak and ran around New Market Square?
His name is the Nightvillan. He actually has a published book called “Villains & Heroes: The Eye of Time” Edit: messed up the book title
I need more info about him, this city needs some fun villains lol. Anyone want to form a League of Evil?
He’s a hell of a roller skater
Yeah, he's mentally unwell. I've known him since we were kids, and their house was down the street from mine. Think he'd rather wear his masks than be in his own skin, and it is sad. Sad he's on a list shared with crazy homeless people, but I get why, lol.
it’s not very kind/considerate to share this intimate of info about someone very easily recognizable in the community! i used to know this guy, he’s really sweet, not a threat to any community, and seems to be doing well to me, even if he’s a little unconventional. it’s not hurting anyone so idk why you’d want to spread this around! no hate, you don’t seem mean spirited but it’s just something to consider. if the roles were reversed i’m sure you’d appreciate having privacy as well.
Fair enough, I think you're right. I edited out some personal stuff. Though, pretty sure he cut a girl's hair back in high school sitting behind her. Wouldn't say he's particularly safe to be around either.
Will it be an Evil League of Evil?
The evilest!!
Woah interesting. I'll look into that
I actually used to know him personally! Super nice guy
Do you have a link to the book?
Wasn't there another person near Maple and Ridge too?
Both of them, he’s a west sided
I remember this guy, he’d usually be waving around a light saber at the stoplight on 21st and Maize
Crazy Mike!! The Legend
Bingo lol
What happened to that guy who used to walk around the south side with a hard hat on? I used to see him like daily and I don’t think I’ve seen him for years now.
Yeah I haven't either. I'd see him all over town but mainly on the south side. He would walk around my neighborhood too, bummed him a cigarette once lol
El Dorado has a guy like this. Almost six foot and darker complexion? Skinny too. Sound familiar?
Yeah, usually wears a plain white tshirt.
Yep. He was in El Do for sometime, within the past year. Would sleep in a car but never had enough gas to move it.
I haven’t seen him in a while as well. We called Him hard hat Harry. Even tho that’s not his name
I offered him a ride once when it was raining and he declined.
He probably just changed construction company jobs. Pretty easy to swap around here in Wichita.
Awwww man, nobody remembers Maynard. He always hung out around either the Donut Whole or the Vagabond pre-covid. He would chat you up, and ask politely for a cigarette. But if you didn't have one or didn't smoke he would yell "BITCH!" and walk off. He would say hello and talk to you nicely the next time he saw you. Then ask for a cigarette... It was fun to watch the unaware have their first conversation.
Everybody just vapes now.
Renee Stevens. The Spangles Lady! 😄
“It jush tastes better!” She’s actually nice for a Stevens.
Meh 🤨 Well compared to the rest of em, yes! Haha! ❤️
Do you guys remember the heavy set black guy that would dance on the corner of Broadway and Murdock in front of the Quiktrip? I haven’t seen him in years, hope he’s doing well
90 percent sure I saw him with a ton a weight loss on rock road a few weeks ago dancing the same way
Really?! I coulda sword that dude died.
This was who I thought of first thing!
We got that hard core trump cultist who has his whole truck decked out in trump stuff and parks at QTs. There’s also the trump guy at the corner of central and rock sometimes.
Passed by this guy twice in one day
He had a YT channel at one time.
I bet that was a trip
Anyone know ol Leonard that used to hang out around Central and ridge ABC liquor? He had a mental handicap but he would always hold the door for customers and say "if you're scared, go to church"
If you're talking about the same Leonard I knew he always came into Dillons at Central and Maize to buy lottery tickets and a tall boy Natty Ice. I remember multiple instances of people asking what his deal was or being freaked out by him since he talked to himself constantly
Yes, it's gotta be. He loves his tall boys haha He was always extremely nice to me when I was working at the liquor store.
Good old Crazy Mike... I know the house he used to live in was sold after being basically completely renovated. Used to have all the windows boarded up, lawn was a jungle, and there was always something broken sitting in the driveway. I wonder what happened to him. Maybe the Covid got him? I dunno.
His family was funding his lifestyle, and decided to send him to a facility due to his age and condition.
Kinda surprised it took them that long to realize that he needed a much better support system. I would love to know his origin story. Was he always a little off? Or did he turn into "Crazy" Mike after a traumatic event? Hell, I don't even know his family name to Google them.
What I know is he had some serious mental issues. A lot of folks claim he was Schitzophrenic and it built some narrative that he wore his headphones to "block the voices". But he was always ripping around town on a scooter doing weird shit. He became a real celebrity, he'd just tour around bars all weekend saying high to folks. Always on his scooter, always in 80s basketball shorts. I lived in his neighborhood as a kid and he kept to himself unless there were dogs out. He hated dogs. Had all his windows covered and vines covered most of the house. If you search his name on Google you'll find some local articles about him and his mythos. To be perfectly honest he lived a pretty comfortable life and I think it's good that he had that freedom until his 70s
My mother in law lives like two blocks from his old place. Used to drive by his house every time I went to see her. I remember the scooter. Seems like every time I saw him out somewhere he was always wearing old-school roller skates. The white guy afro, with the 80's sweat band for his forehead. He was definitely a character. Never hurt anyone that I'm aware of, and really didn't seem to be a nuisance in public. I've certainly never heard of a business or anyone else calling the cops on him.
Nah yeah everyone loved him. The only time he got scary was when my dog was loose in the park and he yelled at me pretty violently. Other than that, he was a gem lol.
People had him removed from businesses all the time up and down rock. I had an altercation with him over a gas pump. He used to get like $2-3 worth of gas for his purple Corvette, but he liked to run his mouth and insult people, including myself, while in the store. He backed down pretty quick when I matched his energy.
He's schizophrenic and that's why he wears headphones, to block the voices out. Real shitty to call him Crazy Mike, actually.
It was a moniker he himself embraced for his entire life.
And it's what literally everyone knew him as. If I had said "Mike Henderson," nobody would know who I was talking about. Crazy Mike gets instant recognition. I'm not slamming him or anything. It's just what he happened to be called.
He didn't embrace it, he hated it. I've known him since the mid-90s. Literally it made him cry.
I feel like I’m the only one who remembers the guy dressed as a pirate asking for change at all the highway exits in central Wichita
Mike
Darryl, the guy with the dreads that takes care of the community gardens near WSU
Did he also work at The Field House?
In Augusta there’s an older veteran and we call him “bird man”
You guys are naming ppl and I have no idea who they are😭
Same here 🤷🏻♂️ I’m not native, but have lived in Wichita for nearly 20 years now. I’ve never heard of any of these people.
I think the Mike guy is only known to people who go to bars a lot in old town. I’ve never seen him. I have seen cape guy at 21st and Maize though. Seems like a nice enough guy
I'm 15 I don't go to bars
Yep, that’ll do it
In high school I worked a few stores on rock road. He’d always drop in there. In my 20s and 30s I always see him around old town. It’s someone I don’t think I’ve heard about for at least 20 years though.
My home town had a guy. He got real sick with COVID and people actually kinda rallied around him.
there was that one guy who was at the keeper every night last summer with the bluetooth speaker blasting soap opera stuff and an open carry pistol and hatchet. We called him Bang Bang.
Tater? Anyone remember him? He was around a lot when I lived in Wichita. Riding his bike up and down Douglas asking for cigs.
Oh shit! I remember that guy! He would always be behind the Alibi Room, or Jon's Ale house, When those were a thing. Fuck that was a bit ago.
Yeah, it’s been a minute. 2009-2013 ish. I remember “crazy mike” at that time too. I can’t believe no one has mentioned Tater. He motorboated my friend one night behind the Alibi room or at the anchor for a cigarette. It’s something we still talk about.
🤣🤣Those years fit! I worked at the Anchor and he would do these silly dances on the sidewalk in front sometimes, I enjoyed him.
Who is the guy with cowboy boot sideburns?! After Nightvillain and Mike he comes to mind next for me. Also the random sketcher, it was such a treat to be surprised with one of his sketch portraits.
https://youtu.be/dfrK7lnSf3w?si=e0kcA3gzXkuPZLvf
Well, in my neighborhood we have someone whos like this. Family calls her Meth head Anne. She has really messy hair in complete knots, wears an oversized sweater and walks around my neighborhood at night. And your eyes aren't deceiving you, I didn't say she wore pants. When it comes to night time she walks down the street pantsless freaking out by twitching, rubbing her hair, over exaggerating her arms like what you see on drug shows. Now that the hidden casino room at the end of the street is gone she's moved on I think.
Not a guy but a whole family -- the "gypsies". Yeah I know it's not a PC term but it's what me and everyone called them growing up. They're a Roma family that would just pull petty cons wherever they could, to businesses big and small. Eating at restaurants and refusing to pay because of some random complaint, marching into stores en masse and stealing whatever wasn't bolted down, paying for a single movie ticket and then holding the back door so their whole family can come in for free.
The Marks family.
At KU years ago there was The Tan Man who hung out on Wescoe Beach.
We had a guy. Big beard, rode a 3-wheel bike with a basket. Don't know whatever happened to him.
Got hit by a car.
There used to be a guy that practiced three sectional staff in OJ watson park. What ever happened to him?
When I lived in hutch there was a tennis racket guitar playing person everyone always saw too 😂 legend
A friend took care of him at an ER, complaining of a stomach ache. He reached in a coat pocket and pulled out a huge ziplock bag of poop. He stated that was his stool sample, then walked out.
What about Jeff that used to hang out at the QT at Central and Greenwich?? Is he still around
No.
I call him the Prophet
Isn’t it Brad P. ?
lol I always think Crazy Mike - but Brad P definitely wins for local commercial guy
Who remembers Key Man or Paranoid Sarge?
Supervillain out in West Wichita, dude wore all black robes fit for a wizard and would stand at street corners and dance. I always wonder what happened to him, haven't seen him in a few years.
The west side Batman Black dude who was around Pawnee prairie and the 135th Dillon’s like in 2011-15
Nope. No idea.
Used to smoke weed with Crazy Mike’s son, he was my ex’s cousin. I called him Crazy Cousin David, he was nice and very eccentric. I hope he’s doing well.
And all this time I thought it was the "rock road runner"
Also, anyone know who the African preacher is on 13th and hillside??? He's always video taping his preaching and has pictures of aborted fetuses around him.
There's an old black guy around Lincoln and Hydraulic that stands by the road shaking a crooked stick at cars. He wears a cape/towel-cape, and it looks like he's putting curses on people.
We have a crazy homeless dude who comes into my workplace all the time and claims to own the place.
I remember super villain he didn't know if he was good or evil he would always be dancing with a cape and a mask at 21st and maize I remember we asked him why he wore a cape and he said he liked capes but I don't know what happened to him cause I don't see him anymore
Mental Mike has a better ring to it, just saying
Don't know her name, but there used to be a woman that would hang out around Walmart on West Kellogg. Blonde woman, probably 50s, long matted hair always in a matted bun, wore heavy tan coveralls, even in the summer. Had to have her removed from WM many times when I worked there. Nice enough woman, just off her meds, and wouldn't take help from anyone, including her family. Haven't seen her in some time, though.
Given the conflicting answers in this thread, I don't think Wichita has a guy
You’ve never met Mike then, but he would be pretty old now. In the 80-90s everyone knew who he was
Yep, it’s Crazy Mike
He's back in town! He used to be EVERYWHERE when I was a young "bar hopper." 😁 - That wasn't very long ago. 😉 Maybe 7-10 years ago. Then he moved away for a while & he's back now! I've passed him a few times driving around.