William E. Copeland II, a 1964 graduate of Eskridge High School, was the first Wabaunsee County resident listed as Killed In Action in the Viet Nam War between 1961 and 1975. After graduation […]
Memorial Day Salute: Bill Copeland II
Photo Friday: The Sweeney Bridge
-by Greg Hoots- This is a photograph of the Sweeney Bridge, an iron bridge under construction over the Kaw River in early 1911. The bridge was located in Kaw Township in Wabaunsee […]
Photo Friday: The Alma Colored Band
-by Greg Hoots- As the small towns of the Flint Hills began to develop between 1880 and 1900, one of the needs felt by the early settlers was to have a city […]
Photo Friday: Memories of Jake’s Place
-By Greg Hoots- When I met Jake Copeland, he was retired and living on “the point” at Lake Wabaunsee. He had closed Jake’s Place, his bar in Eskridge, and was enjoying life […]
Law and Order: The Anthony King Murder
-By Greg Hoots- Chapter 1 Anthony and Marie King were a typical young married couple. Anthony King, born in 1871, was a clerk in a store when the pair wed, and as […]
Eskridge Alumni Association Digitizes Eskridge High School Class Photos
The Eskridge High School Alumni Association recently contracted with Flint Hills photo historian, Greg Hoots to digitize forty-six graduating class pictures that once adorned the walls of Eskridge High School in Eskridge, Kansas. […]
Photo Friday: The Infamous Dr. Smith(s)
-by Greg Hoots- Here’s a great historic photo from the Bat Nelson collection. It’s a real photo postcard, postmarked 1909 showing the interior of Dr. W.H.H. Smith’s pharmacy in Alta Vista, Kansas. […]
The History of Wabaunsee County Newspapers
-by Greg Hoots- In April of 1867 Alma, Kansas became the county seat of Wabaunsee County, following two contested elections which found Alma and Wabaunsee vying for the placement of the county’s […]
Tornado Strikes Eskridge
-by Greg Hoots- April 12, 1911 began like many spring days for the residents of Eskridge, Kansas as a strong, relentless wind was blowing from the southwest and a hint of clouds […]
Photo Friday: Haying at the Steinmeyer Barn
This rare image of men loading a barn loft with loose hay was taken at the Fred Steinmeyer farm, located five miles south of Alma, Kansas. The hay carrier had huge steel jaws […]
