Flyover People Daily News

*** Today’s Flyover People column as seen in The Emporia Gazette: *** CUMMINS MEMORIAL LIBRARY It was like entering a house of worship. Silence and reverence were expected. What was not expected in that house of hush was a slap-slap, slap-slap, louder than the sound of someone snapping gum. That noise came from the feet [...]

buildings, Carnegie libraries, columns

The Lyon County Historical Museum was formerly the Emporia Public Library – a Carnegie Library. The building’s cornerstone says 1904. Back then they employed the trickle-down theory of electrical lighting. Lighting was installed over the second floor of the stacks and expected to also light the stacks below. The former Carnegie Library on the C [...]

Carnegie libraries, history

The1904 Carnegie Public Library at Ninth and Vermont in Lawrence.

buildings, Carnegie libraries, history

Today’s Flyover People column as seen in The Emporia Gazette. AT THE MUSEUM KANSANS love history. We really do. While visiting historical sites and museums around the state, I’ve noticed people standing wide-eyed in front of exhibits. They ask questions, they’re curious. Now even if the stacks of books on our end tables don’t include [...]

Carnegie libraries, columns, history

Old Emporia. This cool map of town hangs in the Lyon County Historical Museum, 118 E. 6th Ave. Hours are Tuesday – Saturday, 1-5 p.m. Free. The museum is in the 1904 Carnegie Library building. Entrance to the museum is in the back, off the parking lot.

Carnegie libraries, E-town, history

Today’s Flyover People column as seen in The Emporia Gazette: Butler County Courthouse, El Dorado. SOUTHBOUND When gas prices dropped below $3.50 a gallon, Dave and I celebrated with a road trip. On a Saturday morning we picked a town off the map. “How about Winfield?” I suggested. Dave and I like to be surprised, [...]

Carnegie libraries, columns, courthouses, small towns, traveling

The 1912 Carnegie Library in Winfield. The building is now occupied by a dance studio and a dental office.

buildings, Carnegie libraries, traveling

The old Carnegie Library in El Dorado is just west of the Butler County Courthouse. An architecture firm now owns the building.

buildings, Carnegie libraries, traveling

Carnegie Library, Canton. The sign between the building and the buffalo says “Last Built Carnegie Library 1921.

Carnegie libraries, history, small towns

The 1902 Carnegie Library in Ft. Scott.

buildings, Carnegie libraries, small towns

The Carnegie Library in Herington.

Carnegie libraries, small towns