Kansas History
So you think you know all about Kansas, At least I did. How about you?
Every time I dig into something about Kansas, more questions come up than I can answer.
Think about the 105 counties that Kansas currently has. What about the counties that do not exist anymore. Or how about the various names of Kansas Counties that had their names change. I first came across one that was closed to where I grew up. Calhoun County and a town of Calhoun in that county. Both have disappeared in time. Calhoun County was swallowed up by Shawnee and Jackson Counties. How many more have been relabeled or just vanished into history?
Ghost towns are another subject that I can’t get enough of. Peterton in Osage County, Diamond Springs in Morris County. The list is almost endless. The Kansas Historical Society Library has a whole shelve of volumes of Dead Town Listings. When I was scoping out some ghost towns that I was researching, the amount of towns listed, was more than I could comprehend.
That is only two items of interest. Do you have any idea of the various historical parks and their locations?
How many have stopped and read the various state historical markers? There are fifty-six of them throughout the state. I do stop and read them when I come across them. I might try and list them on this sight.
Manufacturing industry is strong in the state. Aircraft, automobiles and tires are just three of the many manufacturing companies that contributes to the nation.
How many famous people can you name from Kansas? TV Celebrates are somewhat known, but what about a president, that once led the most powerful armies of the world in WWII? Or a vice president?
It seems that every rock you turn over, there’s history. Thinks of the fossils that have been discovered in Kansas.
People of the land, what’s their story?
The Indigenous People of Kansas, lived in harmony with the land, but what happen to them.
We are reaching out to the various Indigenous people’s nations for their stories. We have heard and read the white man’s version, we want their stories. Hopefully in the next couple of weeks, we will have the first of many.
County of the Quarter.
Lyon
We want to high light a county of the Quarter. Featuring county historical society, ghost town and any items of interest.
We will start out with Lyons County. Haven’t got in contact with their Historical Society, but I will. I have these two negatives to share of the Steam Roller grading out the street and the second one below, showing the buildings behind the Roller. Take note of the motor-bike in the photo below.
Con’t
The listing of ghost towns that I have for Lyon County, and it’s not complete, is; Agnes City, Breckenridge, Bushong, Columbia, Elmendaro, Forest Hill, Fremont, Highland Park, Kansas Center, Miller, New Chicago, Pittsburg, and Withington. This listing is showing towns that were once active with post office, schools and business districts. Some of these still do exist, but barely.
The map above of Lyon County, is taken from Andrea’s Kansas History Book, 1883.
There seems to be more ghost towns then I had listed earlier. Detectivex work is never ending.
Norma Grubb, Mother, Aunt and Best Pie Maker from Dover, Kansas.
As with most families, mine is very special. Loaded with lots of historical events that my family has endured, one sticks out with me the most. Norma Grubb, my dad’s older sister, with her husband Wilbur, produced an awesome family. Shown here with her children, Son-in-laws, and daughter-in-laws, along with grandchildren. She lived most of her life in Dover, Kansas. The first time I remember seeing her, she was cooking at the local cafe in Dover (long gone cafe). Many years later, she started baking pies for the local grocery store in Dover and word got out about her pies. Then it happen, a friend submitted her name to the TV show, “Good Morning America”, contest on the best pie in America. The pie, “Coconut Cream Pie”, (my favorite) and the race was on. Not sure how many pies were entered and week by week, most were dropping like flies.
Then they got it down to four pies. When they announced the winner, it was Norma’s pie which won the best. She had placed Dover on the map of America. People came from all around to taste her pies. You had to come early to get some. Even Kansas Government proclaimed a “Norma Grubb Day” in Kansas in her honor. She has passed over into a better world and we all miss her. She was my “Sweetheart” and even though I miss her Coconut Cream Pie, I miss her more.
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The video below is of a cold winterly day throughout Kansas City in the 1930’s. If any of you know of any of the various scenes that is not identified, please email me with the information.