With the American frontier moving quickly westward, Osborne County, nestled in the Blue Hills of north-central Kansas, began its official life in 1867. Though the county was not organized until four years later, settlers of various backgrounds sought homesteads there and quickly filled the untamed land. By 1881, the county boasted an agrarian population of 12,000. From the hunting grounds of early Native American inhabitants to the agricultural roots set down by settlers after Kansas achieved statehood in 1861, from the coming of the railroad to the laying of state and federal highways, the story of Osborne County is both vital and enduring. Covering 900 square miles and the county's formative years (1876-1941), Osborne County, Kansas beautifully captures the spirit of a region and its people, documenting old street scenes, businesses, homes, and residents as they looked, played, prayed, learned, and worked, both in the city and on the farm during those crucial years.
Labette County
9780738582924
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Labette County, located in the Neosho River Valley of southeast Kansas, is home to eight cities, each rich in history. The story of Labette County is the story of French fur traders, Indian treaties, Civil War veterans, homesteaders, and railroad magnates--the people and events that transformed a prairie wilderness and shaped the county's future. Mike Brotherton and Dave Mattox are board members of the Parsons Historical Society Museum and authors of Images of America: Parsons.
The Carey Salt Mine
9780738561806
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In 1923, Kansas governor Johnathan Davis traveled to Hutchinson to dedicate Emerson Carey's new rock salt mine whose shaft provided access to an ancient salt bed 650 feet under the earth's surface. The Carey Salt Mine, advertised as "the most modern in the world," served as a companion to Carey's already-existing evaporation plants. Miners used the newest technology to blast and crush the mineral into gravel and haul it to the surface to provide rock salt for livestock, industries, and roads. Throughout the 20th century, thousands visited Carey's mining operations. Ever since the day Governor Davis presided over the opening ceremony, the Carey Salt Mine has served as a landmark for Hutchinson and helped shape its identity as "the Salt City."
Leavenworth
9781467126793
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On May 30, 1854, Pres. Franklin Pierce signed the hotly contested Kansas-Nebraska Act. Before the ink was dry, squatters settled on the 322-acre plot of land bounded by the Fort Leavenworth Military Reservation (to the north) and Three Mile Creek (to the south). From Bleeding Kansas to western expansion, many historical figures have called Leavenworth home, including Fred Harvey, Buffalo Bill Cody, and Wild Bill Hickok, to name but a few. The landscape is decorated with buildings and homes featuring a beauty and grandeur that have stood the test of time. Originally known as the "Queen City of the West," this metropolis would become one of the largest manufacturing cities in America, providing goods and services to markets all over the world. Historical churches, the Leavenworth VA Medical Center, the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth, and Leavenworth National Cemetery all contribute to the town's pioneering spirit that is second to none.
Kansas City Southern Railway
9780738560014
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The Kansas City Southern Railway initially offered freight service to the immediate Kansas City area south. As the line expanded toward Texas, each tiny community had its own railway station with access to daily passenger service and less-than-carload lot freight services. No one could have foreseen that the road would eventually haul international import and export goods or that its line would reach into Mexico. Photographs in this book include the railway's involvement in operating steam engines over its lines as well as pictures from the files of esteemed rail photographers Harold K. Vollrath and Gary Coates.
Pittsburg
9780738561165
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Pittsburg was purposely located in the center of the Cherokee-Crawford coal field of southeastern Kansas in 1876. The city's founders intended for the new mining camp to serve as a convenient shipping point for the tons of bituminous coal that would be extracted from the region. Little did the founders anticipate how quickly Pittsburg would become the dominant city in the rapidly industrialized southeastern corner of Kansas and one of the most populous cities in the state. Immigrants from over 50 ethnic groups came to Pittsburg to provide the necessary labor for the deep-shaft coal mines, the railroads, and many other industries. Pittsburg State University, established in 1903 as a manual training school, is one of the most significant features of modern-day Pittsburg and is widely recognized for excellence in academics and athletics.
Topeka
9780738584348
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The city of Topeka was founded on December 5, 1854, by nine men who made camp by the Kansas River at what is today the intersection of First and Kansas Avenues. During Kansas's territorial days, Topeka played a leading role in the Free State movement. In 1858, Topeka was voted the Shawnee County seat, and in 1859 secured the position of state capital at the final constitutional convention, which took effect when Kansas achieved statehood in 1861. In the century and a half that followed, Topeka grew as America grew, developing a rich history. Now home to 125,000 citizens, Topeka has become one of the leading metropolitan cities in the Midwest. Images of America: Topeka celebrates the city's history in photographs, drawing on the vast photographic collection of the Kansas State Historical Society as well as other private and public collections.
Winfield
9781467113083
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Occupying land along the Walnut River that once belonged to the Osage Indians, Winfield grew from a small settlement in the early 1870s to a bustling center of culture by 1909, when it was called the "Little Athens of Kansas." Its colleges, picturesque limestone buildings, homes, churches, trolleys, and annual Winfield Chautauqua Assemblies were ideal subjects for the picture postcards popular at the time. These cards, which provided a window to the world of Winfield, now provide a view of its past. The trolley tracks are gone, and Chautauquas have given way to the Walnut Valley Festival, but much remains of the glory that was Winfield.
Concordia
9781467113298
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In 1869, Concordia, Kansas, was declared the county seat of what would become Cloud County. At first, the town existed only on paper as a project being pushed by James M. Hagaman and a small group of partners. Once development started, Concordia rapidly grew to become a center of commerce south of the Republican River that eventually attracted four railroad lines. It became a town of landmarks, including several famous hotels, two opera houses, Nazareth Convent, and a thriving downtown area. Characters in the story of Concordia include French Canadian immigrants, nuns, pilots, quarreling newspaper editors, German prisoners of war, and politician Frank Carlson. Readers can enjoy visiting the community's past in the pages of Images of America: Concordia.
Newton
9780738598758
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Newton, Kansas, was established by the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railroad as a new railhead for the Chisholm Cattle Trail in 1871. After two years as the wildest cow town in the West, Newton became a center for Mennonite migration and wheat production in east central Kansas, with the railroad moving it all. In addition to eastern European immigrants and hard winter wheat seed, the rails brought even more people from differing backgrounds, all of whom helped the town grow and change. Images of America: Newton shows those people and the places where they worked, worshipped, and played and includes many photographs from residents' family albums in addition to images from public archives. Meet the residents of this "Crossroads of Kansas" city, from the locally famous to the folks next door, in the pages of Newton.
Emporia
9781467113182
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Established in February 1857, Emporia's founding fathers named their new business venture Emporia after a flourishing market center in Ancient Carthage. Located in the east-central part of Kansas, Emporia is known as the "Front Porch to the Flint Hills." William Allen White, publisher and editor of the Emporia Gazette, brought national attention to Emporia in the early 1900s. Known for his fiery political essays, White became an advisor to many US presidents, five of whom visited his home, Red Rocks. Emporia is home to Emporia State University, the state's first normal school, founded in 1863. Located on the university campus are the National Teachers Hall of Fame and the Memorial to Fallen Educators, honoring those who lost their lives teaching and working in America's schools. Honoring fallen heroes is a long-standing tradition in Emporia, as it is also the founding city of Veterans Day.
Abilene
9780738590530
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The first settler to make permanent residence in the Abilene area arrived in 1856. From the humble beginnings of a prairie dugout, Abilene grew to be the first "cowtown" of the West. Joseph G. McCoy set up his stockyards in Abilene, and millions of cattle were driven up from Texas via the Chisholm Trail and shipped out on Union Pacific railcars. Abilene exploded into one of the wildest towns in the West. Several sheriffs tried to tame it, including Wild Bill Hickok, but gentrification came in the form of bankers and businessmen. During World War II, hometown hero Dwight D. Eisenhower led the Allies to victory and eventually became the 34th president of the United States. Today, Abilene plays host to thousands of visitors from around the world and celebrates its rich western heritage with the Chisholm Trail Day festival.
Marshall County
9781467113014
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The Oregon-California Trail carried more than 100,000 settlers west over the prairies of the future state of Kansas in the mid-1800s. Pioneers and Pony Express riders crossed the Big Blue River at Independence Crossing or at Frank Marshall's ferry near present-day Marysville. In 1846, members of the Donner Party discovered and named Alcove Spring, now one of 20 county sites listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The Kansas Territorial Legislature established Marshall County in 1855. After the Civil War, rich soil and abundant water attracted farmers, and its location attracted railroads and industry. Today, the same occupations still sustain the 16 towns and villages. As the "Gateway to the Flint Hills," the county's rolling hills are dotted with picturesque prairie, woods, limestone outcrops, rivers, and creeks. Even though the county is a crossroads for modern highways US 36 and US 77, pioneer wagon ruts are still visible in Marshall County.
African American Topeka
9781467110686
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African Americans arrived in Topeka right before and after the Civil War and again in large numbers during the Exodus Movement of 1879 and Great Migration of 1910. They came in protest of the treatment they received in the South. The history of dissent lived on in Topeka, as it became the home to court cases protesting discrimination of all kinds. African Americans came to the city determined that education would provide them a better life. Black educators fostered a sense of duty toward schooling, and in 1954 Topeka became a landmark for African Americans across the country with the Brown vs. Topeka Board of Education case. Blacks from every walk of life found refuge in Kansas and, especially, Topeka. The images in African American Topeka have been selected to give the reader a glimpse into the heritage of black life in the community. The richness of the culture and values of this Midwestern city are a little-known secret just waiting to be exhibited.
Overland Park
9780738590646
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In 1906, entrepreneur and New York railroad builder William B. Strang Jr. started a unique suburban housing development seven miles southwest of Kansas City that he named Overland Park. He chose farmland on a high ridge where the Santa Fe, Oregon, and California Trails once crossed and built an interurban railroad for the use of future commuters and real estate customers. Advertised enticements, such as a lake with camping facilities and weekly entertainments, lured thousands of riders on his Strang Line to the new community. In 1909, he arranged for the first area aeroplane flight that astonished and charmed the metropolitan populace. He built the first private airfield in the Midwest, where he held spectacular air shows and extravaganzas like Buffalo Bill's Wild West. Overland Park has since grown to be the second largest city in Kansas. The highly rated school system has graduated many notable and recognizable figures, such as Paul Rudd, Jason Sudeikis, and former US chairman of the joint chiefs of staff Gen. Richard Myers.
Kansas City B-25 Factory
9781467111973
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An industrial miracle took place at the Fairfax Airport, on the shores of the Missouri River, between 1941 and 1945. A massive factory was quickly built and a large modification center was soon added. At its peak, over 24,000 greater Kansas City-area residents were employed by North American Aviation, Inc. Their goal was to build as many twin-engine B-25 Mitchell medium bombers for wartime service as possible. Their success was the construction of an unprecedented 6,608 aircraft. The B-25 Mitchell served with distinction in every theater of World War II, and significant numbers of them were provided to Allied nations. Many B-25s have been preserved, and some of them remain airworthy today. They can be seen on static display or in flight at air shows all across America.
African Americans of Wichita
9781467114813
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The African American community of Wichita is as old as the city itself, dating back to early pioneers, cowboys, and business figures. Once relatively integrated, Wichita became more segregated as the 20th century unfolded. In response, African Americans developed a lively neighborhood downtown with its own businesses, churches, schools, and organizations. World War II brought new populations to work in the aircraft industry and set the stage for profound changes. In the 1950s, a younger generation of leaders challenged racism and discrimination, unleashing a period of change that was both hopeful and painful. In recent years, the African American community has become more complex, with generations of established families joined by recent transplants, emigrants from Africa, and children of mixed marriages. While challenges remain, African Americans are more visible than ever before in local life, evident in politics, business, sports, and education.
Kansas Wesleyan University
9781467125840
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On September 15, 1886, Kansas Wesleyan University opened its doors for the purpose of higher education. Through strategic plans and successful fundraising campaigns, the campus has grown and evolved remarkably over the past 130 years. The university has employed numerous skilled and passionate faculty members who mentored students toward academic success. As each academic year passes, the school marks notable achievements with pride in areas of academics and athletics as it also stays on the cutting edge of science and technology. Although Kansas Wesleyan has endured struggles, challenges have been promptly met with innovative leadership that laid the groundwork to propel the campus forward, demonstrating perseverance and resilience to craft a lasting legacy. As alumni expand throughout other communities, they carry the university with them. The images within this pictorial history illustrate the university's institutional history and the enduring Coyote spirit.
Kansas State Fair
9781467112222
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The rich history of the Kansas State Fair comes to life in Images of America: Kansas State Fair through photographs from the 1860s to the present. The fair first opened its gates to visitors in 1863 and welcomed all to behold the "Pride of Kansas" until its untimely demise in 1875. In 1913, the Kansas Legislature revived the fair and selected the city of Hutchinson as the exposition's permanent home. Centrally located, Hutchinson has proved an ideal setting. Every year during September, hundreds of thousands of fairgoers flock to the grounds to compete in agricultural or livestock competitions, sell their wares, seek out thrills on the midway amusements, or learn more about the state and its resources. Whatever their motives, all fairgoers leave with a sense of fulfillment.
Post Rock Country
9781467112482
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Rush County, at the south end of Post Rock Country, was organized on December 5, 1874, and named in honor of Capt. Alexander Rush, Company H, of the 2nd Kansas Colored Infantry. The first settlers arrived in 1869 and established homesteads along Walnut Creek near the Fort Hays-Fort Dodge Trail. With few trees on the vast, dry prairie, settlers searched for alternative building materials. Post Rock, a unique limestone bed that sat within inches of the surface, was so well used and became such a curiosity that it gave rise to the Post Rock Museum in 1963.
Fort Leavenworth
9780738560823
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On March 17, 1827, Col. Henry Leavenworth received orders from Washington. Along with four companies of the 3rd Infantry Regiment, he departed from the Jefferson Barracks at St. Louis, traveled up the Missouri River, and selected a site for a permanent settlement. Cantonment Leavenworth was established on May 8, 1827, and renamed Fort Leavenworth on February 8, 1832. Since then, it has grown and met the demands of the U.S. Army. From the protection of pioneers along the Santa Fe Trail to peacekeeping missions among the Native Americans, the fort's role in the nation's expansion westward is second to none. Fort Leavenworth has continually reinvented itself to meet the challenges facing the nation. From training units during the Civil War to army education during Operation Enduring Freedom, the fort's many schools have stood true to their motto: Ad bellum pace parati (prepared in peace for war).
Ottawa
9781467112697
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Ottawa was founded in 1864. Located in the Marais des Cygnes River Valley, the area's rich soil and lush grass made it well suited for growing crops and pasturing livestock. The community's first cultural center was Ottawa University, which was chartered in 1865 and built on land exchanged by the Ottawa Indians for the promise of an education for their children. Two railroads later arrived, the Lawrence, Leavenworth & Galveston in 1868 and the Missouri Pacific in 1880, spurring industrial development. Images of America: Ottawa highlights early settlers, prominent industries, noteworthy institutions, and devastating natural disasters. Using vintage photographs, this history features local memories and milestones, capturing everything from the famous Ottawa Chautauqua Assemblies, held annually from 1883 to 1914 in Forest Park, to the emerging distribution centers that have shaped the area today.
Fort Riley
9780738531694
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Founded in 1853, Fort Riley was established to protect merchants and settlers on the Santa Fe and Oregon-California Trails. Fort Riley kept the peace during the Civil War and in 1893, a cavalry school began operation there. Fort Riley continued to train mounted troops during the Golden Age of Cavalry after World War I, but also served as a training site for more than 150,000 troops during the first and second World Wars. This collection of vintage images commemorating the sesquicentennial of Fort Riley is a colorful, patriotic reminder of the military post that has served the nation continuously since its founding 150 years ago.
