Did You Know This About Geary County History?

By Dr. Ferrell Miller

Geary County Historical Society Board Member

“It’s Football Season” 

It’s football season!!!  Today’s article is a review of some newspaper reports on the football season in years past.  

The first article found was dated 1894.  The author had an obvious bias and concern about players getting injured when he wrote:  “Football is, if possible, even more brutal and dangerous than prize-fighting. But it is now a popular fad and it is supposed it will continue in “favor” until some of our bright and sturdy boys are maimed for life.  Thus far, in the season a player broke his arm. Numerous bruises and contusions were the extent of the injuries received by other local players. It was felt that parents and teachers would avert much future regret, if they would strongly use their influence against this barbarous pastime.”

By 1912, there was more acceptance of the sport.  A football banquet was given by local merchants at the Bartell House at Sixth and Washington Streets.  Twenty-one players and as many merchants enjoyed an evening of dining and hearing short talks given by Dr. Smiley (the team’s coach), Dr. Carr, Mr. Platt and Mr. Shideler.  After the banquet, the boys were treated to free entertainment at the Lyric Theater.

A 1913 article related some changes to the rules of playing football.  One rule change was that “neither the head coach nor anyone would be allowed to walk up and down the sidelines.”  The words “running into the fullback after the kick” were changed to “roughing the kicker.” 

The report of the 1918 Junction City versus Salina game was 32 to 2. JCHS lost!  This game was the first game of the season. One of the suspected reasons for the Junction City High School loss was that several players (who had to provide their own transportation) had car trouble and were unable to get to the game during the first half.

It is football season and we wish all of our local teams the best – not only on the field, but also in using the many life skills that are learned from playing sports.  

“The Brinkley Hospital-Jones Hospital and the KFKB Radio Station” 

This is a follow-up to a previous article about Dr. John Brinkley, often known as “The Goat Gland Doctor”.  Dr. Brinkley transplanted the gonads of goats into aging human (male) customers with the promise of masculine virility.  The operations were performed at his hospital in Milford, Kansas. The “Milford Messenger” newspaper of September 1923 reported that “the examination of patients at the newly remodeled Brinkley-Jones Hospital in Milford, Kansas would begin on September 28th and the first operations would take place on Monday, October 1.  John R. Brinkley, the famous Goat Gland Doctor, had stated that all available space for the hospital was filled.  More appointments were being made every day for the months of November and December.  

It was feared that Dr. Brinkley would not be able to accept all of the patients seeking admission, despite the fact that the large addition had been made to the hospital during the summer months.  The nurses were returning from their summer vacations and everything was being set for the opening day.”  

Dr. Brinkley also operated a radio station.  The call letters were KFKB (Kansas’ First Kansas’ Best). Test programs were to be aired on the station beginning September 29th. Anyone who wanted to sing or play musical instruments for the radio broadcasts was requested to make arrangements for a rehearsal before being permitted to participate.  Students from Milford High School and Grade School were to be organized into a philharmonic society to perform regularly on the Brinkley station. Telegrams from radio fans all over the country were received stating they had heard the test programs from KFKB. One telegram came from Captain Donald Walters, son of Al Walters, who was on a ship in the Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of New York.

There is more information online and may be found in books about the “interesting” life of Dr. Brinkley.  There is even a movie being made about Dr. Brinkley, which at this time is without a title or a release date.   The movie will be directed by Richard Linklater. Robert Downey, Jr. will play the lead as Dr. Brinkley.  

 

Did You Know This About Geary County History?

By Dr. Ferrell Miller

Geary County Historical Society Board Member

 

“The 1874 Grasshopper Invasion Of Geary County”

Charles H. Manley, Sr. was a farmer who arrived in Geary County from New York in 1870 as a 17-year-old youth.  Mr. Manley kept an extensive diary of his farming experiences, which gives us an account of the grasshopper invasion in 1874.  

Charles Manley, Sr. recorded that “when the grasshoppers came in August, the drought had already killed most of the corn in the county.  I had roasting ears (or corn) growing on about 3 and a half acres, but only got a couple of sacks full. The grasshoppers got all the rest.  I had one neighbor who had about 15 acres of early corn, which made 10 to 12 bushels to the acre. It was dried and hard enough so the grasshoppers seemed to be able to only gnaw the surface of the corn.  They ate everything that was green. Even the onions were eaten out of the onion beds, leaving a saucer-like depression. The grasshoppers ate peaches leaving the stones hanging on the limbs of the trees. The grasshoppers even ate the bark and girdled the limbs of some small cottonwood trees.  When the invasion of 1874 came, I owned nothing but a $5.00 pair of boots. The grasshoppers left me nothing else.”  

This story once again reminds us of the challenges farmers face to provide us with good food.  They deal with insects, the weather and other things unknown to many of us who purchase our food from the farmer’s market or the local grocery store.  Little thought is given to where the food comes from and what it takes to provide it for us.

 

“The Goat Gland Doctor”

Today’s story comes from an article published by the Kansas Historical Society.  “John Romulus (later changed to Richard) Brinkley was an orphan at age 10 and was reared by his aunt.  After a nomadic life as a railroad telegrapher, he attended Eclectic Medical College in Kansas City, Kansas, but never graduated.  He was, however, able to practice in Arkansas with an undergraduate license and managed to acquire several fraudulent (or questionable) diplomas. 

He made use of the reciprocal agreements between states and settled in Milford, Kansas in 1916.  It was in Milford that he began to transplant the gonads of goats into aging human (male) customers with the promise of masculine virility. For several years, the practice was successful financially and Brinkley built a clinic, (a hotel) and a powerful radio transmitter.  

He was able to build and operate one of the first radio stations in Kansas, KFKB (Kansas’ First Kansas’ Best).  With this station he attracted interest in his work and acquire customers. Ads were interspersed with musical entertainment. Brinkley’s secret remedies were shared and he began diagnosing the nation’s illnesses over the airwaves.  In 1923, it was discovered that he had no formal medical training.  

When opposition from the organized medical community resulted in revocation of his radio and medical license, he turned to politics.  He conducted a vigorous write in campaign for Governor of Kansas in 1930. After two unsuccessful campaigns for the office, he shifted his headquarters to Del Rio, Texas and built what would become radio station XERA in Villa Acuna, Coahaila in Mexico.  He shifted his specialty to the prostate gland. 

During his last years Brinkley was sued for malpractice and forced to declare bankruptcy in 1941.  After three heart attacks and the amputation of a leg, Brinkley died in 1942 in San Antonio, Texas.”

We have more information about Dr. Brinkley in a book at our Museum.  There is also a display on the second floor of the Museum dedicated to Dr. Brinkley and his work.  The display was put together by our Curator, Heather Hagedorn. A special feature in the display is an audio recording of the song used during Brinkley’s unsuccessful campaign to be the Governor of Kansas. 

Stop by any day Tuesday through Sunday between the hours of 1 and 4 in the afternoon and learn more about the “Goat Gland” doctor.  Our Museum is located at the corner of Sixth and Adams Streets in Junction City,

 

Did You Know This About Geary County History?

By Dr. Ferrell Miller

Geary County Historical Society Board Member

 

“The Good Neighbor Program”

In 1949, Junction City’s new radio station, KJCK, was located above the Leedy Drug Store. During the programming there was a segment titled “The Good Neighbor Program”.  On this show, local residents were recognized for being “good neighbors” and good citizens.  

One of the first honored was Mary A. Verbeke. She was recognized for her kind acts of sending encouraging words to people.

Mary Verbeke was born in Belgium. When Mary was eight years old, she immigrated to this country with her mother. During their train trip to Junction City, there was a need to change trains in Kansas City.  Mary and her mother witnessed women chewing something at the train station. It was uncommon in Belgium to see women chewing and the only reference was that of men, who chewed tobacco. So, strange as it may have seemed to them, Mary and her mother assumed the women were also chewing tobacco.  However, in fact, the women were chewing gum.

Upon arrival in Junction City, Mary and her mother spent their first night with the Muenzenmayer family, who lived on West 6th Street.  A neighbor recalled the first time Mary was given ice cream. Mary had declared the ice cream was too cold for her.  So, she put the dish of ice cream on the stove to warm it.

Mary and her mother moved into their first home on West 5th Street in 1893.  Mary lived there the rest of her life. Because Mary was on the “remembrance committee” of several organizations, she developed the habit of sending greeting cards, cheery notes and messages during her life time.  In 1949, those acts of kindness earned her KJCK’s recognition as a “Good Neighbor”.  

“The Old Indian Statue”

A question was asked about the “Indian Statue” which sits in a field about three miles south of Junction City. After confessing to know little about the statute, visiting with Geary County Historical Society staff and doing some research, a November 3, 2002 article was found written by Bob Honeyman. This is some of what Bob wrote:

“Geary County has had a statue known simply as “The Indian”.  It was erected on May 20, 1920. The statue originally cost $2,000.  

The figure is not a work by a famous artist, but was cast in concrete over an enduring reinforcement of steel in accord with the description of the Indian as he appeared at the time of an historical account by Coronado’s personal historian.  The 9 foot tall statue, which is now in a decrepit state having been marred by vandals and weathering, still stands near the intersection of the Skiddy County Road and Lyons Creek Road. It is obscured by a tall growth of scrub trees, weeds and other vegetation.” 

In a February 28, 1974 article written for the “Daily Union” by Susan Morton, she stated that “the statue was erected by two brothers, Robert Douglas Henderson and James Bell Henderson to represent a serious study of the Indian scout as he surveys the approach of the white man.”  Jeff Loeb in a December 17, 1978 article for the “Daily Union” wrote that “a few feet below the monument was an Indian trail, which ran westward and then southward to the Santa Fe Trail. It was used by Indian tribes in the area including the Kaw, Pottawatomie, Pawnee, Wichita and other Kansas tribes as the direct trail to the plains. This trail was used for thousands of years before the coming of the white man.”  

Did You Know This About Geary County History?

By Dr. Ferrell Miller

Geary County Historical Society Board Member

 

“A History of Geary County Schools Written In 1893”

Today’s story is a brief history of Geary County Schools in the mid to late 1800’s. The information comes from a book written in 1893 by J.W. Rodgers, who was then the County Superintendent of Schools. “The history of Geary County schools dates back to a period before Kansas became a State – even to the days when the vital question asked was – should this be a free or slave state? The first schools were private, or “select” schools and were provided for by the interested parents, who paid tuition in proportion to the number of children in attendance.  A fund was usually raised for those who were unable to pay the tuition.

During the winter of 1858-59 there were three schools in the county.  One was located at Milford, one at Junction City and one four miles northeast of Junction City.  The first “public” school was organized in 1862. A room was rented for the school and was above the jail, which was located in the Bartell block on the north side of Sixth Street and Jefferson Streets.   County Superintendent, O. Davidson was also the teacher with 72 students enrolled. During the next school year eight additional districts were formed in the county with three male and four female teachers.  The average salary for male teachers was $30.00 per month and $15.00 per month for female teachers.    

By 1868, every district had its own school building.  Some were built of logs, some were frame and a few were stone buildings.  There was no standard curriculum until 1887, when Speer’s “Graded Course of Study” was introduced.  With this course of study, teachers knew where to begin and what was to be accomplished to prepare students for graduation examinations.  The exams were often held the last Saturday in April of each year. “

In 1893, there were a total of 44 schools in the county with 67 teachers.  The average male salary had increased to $49.44 per month and the average female teacher salary was $39.92 per month.” 

Today there are 19 schools currently in USD 475 with 682 teachers.  The current base salary for beginning teachers (whether they are male or female) is $41,500. 

“Albert More – A Tailor With World Wide Fame”

Today’s story is about Albert More, who in a matter of speaking, was born into the tailoring trade. His father and grandfather were both tailors and had a shop in Alma, Kansas. Albert became an apprentice at age 14. In 1899, when Albert was 20, he married Laura Hontz and after living in Manhattan for a while, they moved to Junction City.  In 1914, Albert opened his own business. His shop was in the First National Bank building on West 7th Street and in time his skills would earn him national recognition. 

On one occasion his work was noticed by a Mrs. Aubrey Lippincott, wife of an Army officer stationed at Fort Riley.  She observed a coat Albert had made for Mrs. More and placed an order for one just like it for her. Later Mrs. Lippincott complained to Albert that her husband could not get a properly fitted pair of riding breeches.  She asked Albert if he could make them. Not having done so before, he stated that he would try.  

The result led to another order and from that humble beginning Mr. More’s business grew until more than a thousand pairs of riding breeches were made for cadets who graduated from the US Military Academy at West Point. Still others discovered the “More Breeches”.  Some of those were Generals Patton, Truscott, Wainwright, Richardson and the Army Olympic Equestrian Teams, which would wear the breeches in competition all over the world. Other famous personalities such as designer Oleg Cassini and even a young Ronald Reagan wore the breeches when he was an “inactive reserves cavalry officer” in Iowa in the mid-1930’s.  

After 51 years of tailoring, Albert More turned over his shop to Richard Jones in January of 1947.  At the end of WWII, a mechanized Army replaced the cavalry and there was a decrease in the demand for “More’s Breeches”.  More died in 1974 at the age of 95.  

Did You Know This About Geary County History?

By Dr. Ferrell Miller

Geary County Historical Society Board Member

 

“Junction City’s Main Street (Washington Street) At The Turn Of The 20th Century”

On the first floor of our Museum at the corner of Sixth and Adams Streets in Junction 

City, there is an exhibit titled “Main Street.”  “Main Street” depicts six types of businesses found 

on many main streets around 1900.  This gallery was one of the first in the museum. Much of the lumber for the exhibits came from Geary County.  The stone and brick facades are made of plaster, but were modeled after actual architectural elements found in downtown Junction City.  There are vintage elements that add authenticity like the 18 inch floor boards in the Carpentry Shop.  

Around 1900 Geary County had a booming carpentry trade.  Carpentry was a class offered to students as a part of the “Manual Trades Classroom”, when the high school opened in 1904. The current museum was originally the high school in which those classes were offered.   

Another business represented in the gallery is a dress shop.  Before there were department stores with skirts, shirts and underwear in every size and color to be purchased, women went to the dress shop and had clothing custom made to their size and specifications.  The Rizer sisters ran a woman’s clothing store in Junction City from 1918 to 1952. By the 1950’s women still visited modistes or seamstresses to have previously purchased clothing tailored to fit. Dress shops were not only for buying clothing they were also a place for gathering  to exchange social information making the dress shop one of the best sources for gossip in town. The dress shop was also the place where ladies could find that rare hat for which they may had been looking, which was like no other.  

Visit our Museum and see the other representations of early Junction City shops, which include a general store, a bank and a photography and blacksmith shops.  You will also see J.J. Pennell photographs of a barber shop, photos of downtown Junction City in its early days to the 1940’s and a barber shop. The Museum is open Tuesdays through Sundays between 1 and 4:00 PM and admission is free.  

 

“George Smith’s Gift – A Library”

Many of us remember walking up those many stairs to get to the George Smith Public Library, to browse, to read a magazine, check out a book or a vinyl record album.  The library was located at the corner of Seventh and Washington Streets in Junction City. Today’s story is about the man for which that library was named.  

George Smith came to Junction City in 1866 and opened a hardware store.  He left for a short time and came back in 1879. He worked in the tinner and cornice (pronounced kornis) professions. During his lifetime, George Smith acquired substantial property.  

He retired in 1886 with an incurable kidney malady, which caused him considerable pain.  George withheld spending money on pain medication in order to leave more for his estate. At his death his holdings included all business buildings on the south side of West Seventh Street and several prime corner locations on Washington Street. 

When George Smith died of a self-inflicted gunshot to the head in 1905, his entire estate was left to the city of Junction City for the building, equipping and maintaining a library. However, there was no money provided in the will to staff and operate the library.  

It was to be built on the southwest corner of Seventh and Washington Streets.  The plan was for businesses to be on the bottom floor and the library on the upper floor.  The building would not only contain a library, but also a reading room.  

A board was to be appointed by the Mayor and the City Council to administer the estate as well as the library.  It took 3 years after his death for the building to become a reality. Construction was begun in 1907 and the building was dedicated on March 17, 1908.

The George Smith Library was closed in 1983.  There were 27 steps from the ground floor to the library, which made it inaccessible to those who were handicapped.  The Dorothy Bramlage Library was established in 1983 and is the current public library located at 230 West 7th Street. It IS handicapped accessible.  

Did You Know This About Geary County History?

By Dr. Ferrell Miller

Geary County Historical Society Board Member

“Willie Tarkington – A Buffalo Soldier”

Willie Tarkington was a Buffalo Soldier in the 9th Cavalry.  Willie was born in 1907 in Homer, Louisiana.  He left home at the age of 15 to join the United States Army.  Willie was first sent to a post in Arkansas, before he was assigned to the “F” Troop of the 9th Cavalry at Fort Riley.  He stayed at Fort Riley until he retired, except for some overseas duty during WWII.

While stationed at Fort Riley, Willie Tarkington was a blacksmith and veterinarian for the Cavalry.  His son remembered that when Willie came back to Fort Riley from having served overseas, Willie decided the Army had changed too much when it went to a mechanized unit with tanks instead of horses.  Willie decided to retire from the Army.  

Following his official retirement from the Army, Willie and his brother-in-law went into business together.  They bought a night club on the corner of 14th and Washington Streets in Junction City called the “49 Club”. 

Sgt. Willie Tarkington passed away in 1961 in Junction City. His son, Rockne, remembered his father when he shared thoughts like: “I was proud of my father and the 9th Cavalry and my heritage as the son of a Cavalryman – a Buffalo Soldier, who has the blood of many different cultures mixing through my veins.  And when things got tough – during those discouraging times when it seemed that a break would never come – if I could remember my father riding that bucking cavalry horse and coming back to pick up the guidon again, I knew I could succeed if I could just hang on.  My heritage has shaped my life.”

A monument dedicated to Buffalo Soldiers is located at 18th and Buffalo Soldier Drive in Junction City.  It was completed in 2000 and is near the quarters where the Buffalo Soldiers lived while they were stationed at Fort Riley.  The nine foot bronze statue is of a soldier with his horse. 

“The Beginning of the Public School System in Davis (Geary) County”

Junction City was incorporated in 1859. Three years later the public school system was established as District No. 1 in July of 1862. The first settlers in the area were from communities where a school was an integral part of everyday life.  As soon as they were able to take care of the necessities of life, provisions were made for the education of their children. As early as 1858, select schools were in operation within Davis County, which is now Geary County. 

Select schools were actually private schools wherein the parents paid the teacher directly and the teacher usually maintained the school in his or her home. No records exist today of these tuition schools and only scant mention is made of them in newspaper articles of the time.  Some of these select schools existed throughout the 1860’s, becoming specialized in areas like spelling schools, singing schools and “finishing” schools for young ladies. During the winter of 1858-1859, three select schools were maintained in the immediate area; one at Bacheller (which was the first name given to Milford, Kansas), one at Junction City and one four miles northwest of town. 

To finance Davis County School District No. 1, the first Board of Trustees assessed a tax of one-half of one percent for renting or building a school house, one fourth of one percent for teachers’ wages and one fourth of a percent for supplies and equipment. The school opened on November 17, 1862 with classes held in a rented room upstairs over the Ganz Building that stood on the north side of Sixth Street. The downstairs portion of the building was the jail. 

The first building built specifically for education purposes was known as the “school on the hill”, but its location at the intersection of what is now Jackson Street and Walnut Street proved to be too far out from the city.  Rural schools also sprang up quickly around Junction City and by 1872 just ten years after the district was established there were 20 rural schools in the county.  

Unified School District #475 now has schools in Junction City, Grandview Plaza, Milford and on Fort Riley.  

 

Did You Know This About Geary County History?

By Dr. Ferrell Miller

Geary County Historical Society Board Member

“Washington Street Reflected Our Diversity From The Beginning”

Today’s story comes from an article written and is published in the book Set In Stone, which is available at our Museum at a discounted price for members of our Society.  The article was written by Gaylynn Childs, retired Executive Director of the Geary County Historical Society. 

She wrote that Washington Street in Junction City reflected the diversity of our town from the beginning. 

“The first structure built in this town when it was new was the “Claim House”.  It was built in the summer of 1848 on the southwest corner of Seventh and Washington Streets where the George Smith Public Library was before it closed and has since become the George Smith Reception Hall.  The “Claim House” was built by a young Scottish immigrant soldier who was an apprentice carpenter. Edmund McFarland was paid $50.00 to erect this first business in Junction City.

The influx of early merchants and their hastily built places of business were common along the western frontier.  What was unique was the great diversity of people who could be found here in those early days.  

New Englanders and Pennsylvanians were prominent among the city’s founders.  Most were strong Free-Staters or Abolitionists, who came to assure that Kansas would not enter the Union as a “slave” state.  

The end of the Civil War brought a new influx of settlers to this area.  The arrival of the railroad in 1866 brought crews that were mostly Irish and German. By the end of the 19th Century Italians and Mexicans were also represented.  

The homesteaders and farmers who settled the rural regions of Geary County were predominantly German and Swiss immigrants.  The build-up of Fort Riley in the latter part of the 18th century brought in a colony of Swedish and Norwegian settlers, skilled in the stonemason’s trade.  When Fort Riley became the home of the 9th and 10th Cavalry for a brief time in 1867 and again in the 1880’s, the black “Buffalo Soldiers” settled their wives and families in Junction City. 

When the United States began to send its armies abroad at the beginning of the 20th century, Junction City’s population and business district reflected the places our Fort Riley troops served.  Filipinos, Japanese, Koreans and Vietnamese have all now become second and third generation Junction Citians.”  

Many of us often comment about how cosmopolitan our community is and how much we appreciate the diversity even today that is our town in the Flint Hills of Kansas. 

“The Rockwell’s and Sargeant’s Families Brought Fame To Early Junction City”

  Bertrand Rockwell decided to locate his business here in October of 1865.  It would be called the B. Rockwell Merchandise and Grain Company. For 20 years, Rockwell’s father lived in the store and worked with him.  Typical business hours were from 5:30 A.M. until 11:00 PM daily. The Rockwell’s stocked everything needed in a home or on a farm and they were willing to trade homegrown products for goods. 

The business made history when they shipped the first railroad cars of wheat and corn from Kansas City overseas by way of the Gulf of Mexico.  For over 25 years the firm made Junction City the best market for grain in the State of Kansas.

The wood structured store suffered two disastrous fires with the last one occurring in 1888. The fire-ravaged building was replaced by a brick and stone structure. The current address is 723-725 North Washington Street. The building has been a Woolworth’s, a Duckwall’s and is currently where the Rent-A-Center is at 723 and Edward Jones Investments at 725 North Washington Street.      

Another early business in town was the Sargent’s Drug Store, which became the home of Junction City’s famous “Coca-Cola Senate.”  In 1865, Major O.J. Hopkins, who was stationed at Fort Riley, wrote to his father-in-law in Indiana about the opportunities for business in the new town near the fort.  James Sargent and his son, William, arrived in Junction City a few months later and by August of 1866, they had opened a drug store in a building owned by Ruben Emick on the east side of Washington Street between Seventh and Eighth Streets.  At that time there were only three other buildings on that side of the block. The Sargent’s Drug Store was at 706 North Washington, where it remained for 76 years and was run by four generations of the Sargent family.

In the 1890’s an Army officer who came from Atlanta, Georgia told the Sargent’s about a new and refreshing drink he had tasted there.  It was called “Coca-Cola”. Lindon Sargent was persuaded to order some of the syrup and Sargent’s became the first business west of the Mississippi to serve Coca-Cola.  It was served cold, but without ice and led to the drug store’s designation as the “Coca Cola Senate.” Businessmen, farmers and locals all gathered at Sargent’s daily to drink this unique beverage, discuss the news of the day and the happenings around town.  The Drug Store was sold in 1941 and thus came an end of a 75 year history.  

Eyeware Junction is located at what is now 710 N. Washington Street in the former Sargent’s Drug Store.  Stop by to see and experience a moment in what was at one time the community’s most popular gathering spot.

 

Did You Know This About Geary County History?

By Dr. Ferrell Miller

Geary County Historical Society Board Member

“Alida lies under the lake”

Royal R. Clemons brought his family from New York and settled on a farm in 1868.  In 1870, he was appointed the first postmaster for the rural settlement, which at that point had no name.  A meeting of area residents was called to make an attempt to name the little community. Finally it was decided that since the post office was located in Mrs. Clemons chest of drawers, she should be allowed to choose the name for the town.  In a spell of homesickness, she selected “Alida,” which was the name of one of her girlhood friends in New York.  

In 1872, the Junction City and Fort Kearney Railroad was built through the area and that motivated John Grasberger to build a log store along the railroad track.  Soon after Royal Clemons and George Wilson were working with him to build a grain elevator and later a stock yard, a blacksmith and lumberyard near the frame depot.

About the same time a number of Swiss-German immigrants settled in the area including the Lehman and Gfeller families.  In 1890 P.H Gfeller, Royal Clemons and George Wilson formed the Alida Co-op and Elevator Company and bought out the Grasberger store.  

The grain elevators were always a landmark for Alida.  Over the years they were rebuilt and improved three different times with the last being just two years before the town was demolished to make way for the construction of Milford Lake.   And in the end it would be the elevator that would provide Alida with its last claim to fame.  

There were four businesses and approximately six residences plus the landmark grain elevator on the site.  In March of 1964, it was announced that a group of Junction City developers led by Dr. L.W. Wisby had secured permission from the U.S Army Corps of Engineers to turn the one-time Alida grain elevator into a “swanky” hotel and dining facility. Permission from the Corps had been granted for this restaurant, but was later rescinded after they said further studies indicated the base of the 15 foot concrete elevator would not support the planned structure after the site was inundated with water after Milford Lake became a reality.   So, the elevator was to be imploded. The demolition took place October 7, 1965. It took several tries to implode the elevator as it toppled into the waiting pit. Then the demolition contractor still had to break up the debris with a bulldozer so none of the debris protruded more than four feet above ground.  

It appeared that like the hardy souls who had lived on and worked the fertile fields around Alida for four generations, the landmark elevator was not going to exit easily.  Today, as we travel on or around Milford Lake, we need to remember that there are dreams and history that lie at the bottom of that man-made Lake. 

This story was taken from the book titled Set In Stone, which is available at our Museum.   Our Museum is at Sixth and Adams Streets and is open between the hours of 1 and 4 Tuesdays through Sunday.  Come and take a look at our selection of books and galleries of artifacts related to Geary County History.   

 “Swimming pools In Junction City and the rules that came with them”

In an article written for the August 17, 1978 “Daily Union”, Chloris Killian wrote about “Junction City’s Earliest Pools”.  She wrote that “Junction City was unusual in that a pool was built in the city’s park near the turn of the 20th century.  Sumner Pierce, one of the early settlers in this area, gave the park land to the city and was responsible for building a swimming pool there.  As a young boy in New York, he developed a crippling ailment at the age of 12 and lived the rest of his life with some disability. He was convinced that better swimming facilities might have prevented his illness. The first pool was built in 1913.  

The swimming pool in the park had a native stone bath house.  The pool was south of the stone house and had the most modern facilities of the time with a sanitary method of changing water by means of a drainage ditch that ran north across several lots to the edge of town. The pool was managed by John Rogers, who also served as the lifeguard.  However, John couldn’t swim, but used a life preserver with a rope tied to it in the case that anyone needed help. Just this system caused swimmers to be cautious about going beyond a depth of water that was comfortable to them.  

John’s word was law at the pool as Lois York remembered.  In the early 30’s she came back to Junction City from a vacation in Minnesota with a stylish new red one piece bathing suit.  When she wore it to the city pool for the first time, John gave his disapproval and told her one piece suits were not allowed in the pool.  Lois climbed right out of the pool and spread a beach towel to sunbathe – after all there was no rule that one piece suits could not be worn around the pool if you didn’t go in the water. 

John’s other rules during in 1913 were that swimmers must shower with soap before swimming; boys and men’s suits must be a one piece suit.  Girl’s and women’s suits must have a blouse, bloomers, skirt and hose. During swim times males and girls had their own swim time separate from each other.  Black females and black males had their own swim time. Occasionally boys and girls could swim together.  In 1938 a second pool was built in the same place as the first one, which was more modern.  The new rules were: no dunking, running acrobatic rough house, water fights, pushing or diving.  

In 1988, a third pool was built in the same place and became an Olympic size pool.  This is the current site of the city’s pool. It is located next to the Fifth Street Park and is open to everyone.