The Albert Post Office I was looking through photos I took the weekend before last out in Barton County and found that they are all so depressing. OK, sure, the small rural towns are decomposing and will, in the not-so-distant future, be dug up by archaeologists, but that’s not what made them seem so depressing. …
Olmitz
Olmitz, pop. 138, is in northwest Barton County. A dozen cars and pickups were parked in front of St. Ann’s Church last Saturday afternoon. And the Knights of Columbus Hall. This was a sand street. A damp sand street – and my feet sank gleefully with each step. I miss sand. Eastern Kansas towns use …
Meteorite Man
It’s so much fun to listen who is enthusiastic about what he does. Dr. Don Stimpson loves science and he loves his work with meteorites. Emporia Gazette reporter Scott Rochat and Dr. Stimpson discuss the meteorites that Stimpson dug up on his land in Kiowa County. The left rock weighs about 300 pounds and the …
Ellinwood’s mannequin
When driving by, I always check for the mannequin on the corner of U.S. 56 and Main Street in Ellinwood. Yesterday she was wearing a coat and hat although the weather didn’t warrant that heavy of outerwear. If the mannequin is outside, that signals that Starr-Elliott Antiques is open for business. I like the burglar …
A Well-Furnished Town
I’m willing to bet that the Barton County town of Claflin (pop. 682) has more seating per capita than any town around. It is home to Miller’s of Claflin, a furniture business that fills nearly every building on two city blocks. Why have ordinary storefronts when you can recreate old-town Claflin? Their warehouse, a gigantic …
Standpipe Hill
On Third Street in Madison is the old standpipe water tower.
Fill ‘er up
It’s the Coffey County Rural Water District #2 offices now, but it looks like an old gas station to me.
Gridley
Gridley: Pop. 365 Named after Walter Gridley, of the Arkansas Valley Town and Land Company, the town opened a post office on June 23, 1886. Gridley is in Coffey County.
1915 Flood
Dave laughs at this photo. “That’s not a flood, it’s a mud puddle.” Well, whatever. It’s my hometown of Pawnee Rock, during the so-called Flood of July 12, 1915. Everyone (apparently only males occupy the town, or are allowed to view flood damage) is wearing a hat and there appear to be a lot of …
Population: 52
Along Middle Creek and the Cottonwood River, you’ll find Elmdale. A post office in this Chase County town was first established as “Middle Creek” on September 22, 1862. The post office name was changed to Elmdale on Jan. 7, 1873. A couple miles outside of Elmdale is the ever-active Camp Wood. This YMCA camp offers …
Atom Pop Poppers and Cream Puffs
The Atom Pop Corn Popper has a loyal following. These poppers were hard to find – especially after the company quit making them. But, someone in Bushton, Kans., bought the business and, once again, Atom Pop Poppers are for sale. Theda Wolford of Bill’s Hardware in Hartford does a brisk business with these poppers. Several …