Author: wabaunseecomuseum
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Mill Creek Valley & Council Grove Railway Bond, 1873
No single force was so important to the development of the American West than the railroad industry. By the middle of the 19th century, the nation’s lawmakers realized that the development of a network of railroads across America would hasten the economic and political development of the land west of the Mississippi River. Several pieces…
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Video: Halloween Parade, Eskridge, Kansas
This is a short 8-millimeter video of the Halloween parade in Eskridge, Kansas taken in the very early 1950s. It’s a great little video of an iconic parade in small town America. You will notice a few changes in the streetscape of Eskridge. The video cameraperson was positioned in front of the Waugh Building, 123…
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A Tale of Two Photographers
-by Greg Hoots- Louis Palenske was born in Richardson County, Kansas Territory in 1858 (renamed Wabaunsee County in 1859) in a log cabin on the banks of Mill Creek, the son of German immigrants Frederick and Caroline Palenske. Louis was the second white child born on Mill Creek, preceded only by his brother, August. Louis…
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Patricia Rozema Taylor: A Friend to All
Patricia Ann Rozema was born in Birmingham, Alabama on July 29, 1939, the daughter of Nicholas and Philomena Ditman Rozema, but the family moved to Topeka when Pat was a young girl. She spent her youth in Topeka and graduated from Topeka High School in 1957. In later years, Pat organized the 57 Lunch Bunch,…
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August Ohst, Artist
Today’s featured photo includes two views, both taken in 1888 by Louis Palenske, of his good friend, artist, August Ohst. August Ohst was born in Ratzeburg, Germany in 1851 and came to America in 1880, studying art in New York City before moving to Alma, Kansas in 1883. Ohst spent the next half-century practicing his trade…
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Number Please: The History of the Telephone in Wabaunsee County
In the history of Wabaunsee County, June 25, 1898 is a date of historical significance when the McMahan Telephone Exchange opened for business in Alma, Kansas with twelve subscribers. The telephone company opened an office at 224 Missouri Street where an operator managed the switchboard which connected the callers on various lines. The lines began…
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Shave and a Haircut
One of the most iconic small town businesses which thrived in the first half of the 20th century was the local barber shop. Every town had one. Some towns had two or more. It was one of those curious businesses where the competitor of a particular barber might be working at a chair in…
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Eskridge City Park Bandstand
After Wabaunsee County’s incorporated towns were established from the 1860s through the 1880s, the towns began to recognize the need for a park for the recreation and enjoyment of their citizenry. By the dawn of the 20th century, most of the towns had established a park, easily accessible by walking. At the same time, virtually…
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Railroad Trestle Construction
Hi, Everyone, It’s Photo Friday again! I have two photos taken of the construction of a railroad trestle. The location is unidentified beyond the assumption that it is in Kansas. These are interesting photos in many respects. The small crew and lack of heavy equipment impresses me. I’m not sure who may have been braver,…
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History of the Manhattan, Alma & Burlingame Railway
The history of Wabaunsee County, as well as the history of Kansas, cannot be told without paying tribute to the role of the American railroad industry. At the time of Wabaunsee County’s creation in the late 1850s, not only were there no railroads in Wabaunsee County, there were none in Kansas. The United States government…