hchm-curator, Author at Harvey County Historical Society

A Fire Station and a Hotel: The Buildings in the 100 Block of North Main

Posted on July 31, 2025 by hchm-curator

Previously published on June 13, 2013

A Fire Station and a Hotel: The Buildings in the 100 Block of North Main

by Kristine Schmucker, HCHM Curator

One of the great things about working at a museum is hearing the stories that can be triggered by an object, photograph or story. When we post a story on the blog, facebook or include in an exhibit, we never know what new stories will come as a result. The blog post on Newton’s Peter Pan Ice Cream Stores was quite popular. We recently revised to include some of the facebook comments and printed the article in out Summer 2013 Newsletter. Now, another chapter of the story has come to light. Two longtime museum supporters and Harvey County natives read the newsletter article and shared their memories of the 100 block of North Main.

Hotel Meridian and Sinclair Filling Station
2nd & Main, Newton
15 August 1968
HCHM Photo Archives

Thank you to John Wiebe, who took the time to write a letter describing his memories and to Tom Rose who called and visited with me. The old ways of communication still work just fine.

“In the picture, you can see a garage door on the south side of the building.” (Wiebe letter)

In his letter, Mr. Wiebe noted that the south side fire department was located at that location in the south part of the brick building. The firemen may have lived above. Wiebe recalled that “when the door was open you could see the fire engine.” Tom Rose shared his memory of the building as well. When he was a young boy, the firemen would sit in front of the station on metal chairs. Rose and his friends would ride bikes past and sometimes stop to visit with the crew. And sometimes, the firemen would allow the boys to go inside and slide down the pole.

A directory search revealed that Fire Station No 2 was located at 119 N. Main from approximately 1926 until 1948. Between the 1948 and 1952 Directories, the new Fire Station was built at 200 East Third, Newton.

Fire Station No. 2, 200 East 3rd, Newton, 1953
HCHM Photo Archives

The Hotel Meridian/Cafe first appears in the directories in 1923 at 119-123 N. Main. After 1926, the Hotel is listed as occupying 123 N. Main, with the Cafe at 121 N. Main, Newton. The hotel was first managed by Lucia B. Oakes Millner and later by her daughter-in-law Winona Linville Millner Sloan.

Peter Pan Ice Cream Store appears at the 123 N. Main address from 1956 to 1966.

The buildings at 119-123 N. Main (seen in the 1968 photo) were torn down in approximately 1970. Today, Auto Parts is at this location. A new bank is also under construction on the lot where the Dairy Queen was located (for a history on the Dairy Queen building click here).

View of 100 Block of N. Main, June 2013
HCHM Photos

Sources:

Wiebe, John E. letter to Kris Schmucker, HCHM Curator, 29 May 2013.
Rose, Tom phone conversation with Kris Schmucker, HCHM Curator, 6 June 2013.
Newton City Directories 1919-1956
For a history of the Newton Fire Department before 1922 see Warhurst, Elvin E., “Early Fire Protection in Newton, Kansas, 1872-1922, compiled in 1995. HCHM Archives.

A Curious Object & the Building at 413 N Main

Posted on July 11, 2025 by hchm-curator

by Kristine Schmucker, HCHM

What is it?

In our collection at HCHM is a small oddity. The object is circular with sawtooth edges. Engraved on the object are “Murphy 10 Hotel” and is identified as a key to a room at the hotel. While I cannot quite imagine how the object would function as a key, I think it might be the tag attached to a room key, telling the visitor which room is his or hers.

Murphy’s Hotel, 413 N. Main

Several hotels were located within walking distance of the AT&SF Depot within weeks of the railhead stopping in Newton in July 1871. The Rasure Hotel later known as the Howard House and replaced by the Clark Hotel was very conveniently located at the corner of 4th & Main on the west side. It was perhaps the first hotel in Newton.

In the 400 Block of north Main alone, there were three large hotels. One was constructed in the 400 Block on the west side. The July 13, 1883 issue of the Newton Democrat reported that “Frank Zurcher removed the old buildings from his lot opposite the depot on Main street and will commence the erection of a fine building immediately.” A fine new building soon occupied 413 N. Main. I. Isaacs, former proprietor of the English Kitchen, oversaw the new hotel known as the Enterprise. The editor explained that the hotel and restaurant were built “on the European plan.” He boldly pronounced that the Enterprise was “a first class hotel and a credit to our city.” Oysters “served in every style” were frequently on the menu. The Isaacs family left for St. Louis in the fall of 1885.

Under the management of M. L. Frase. the hotel was renamed the City Hotel and in 1897 was the only hotel in the city to offer $1.00 a day house in the city.

Murphy’s Hotel, 411-415 N. Main, Newton, Ks

The building was purchase by Joseph W. Murphy in approximately 1896. He opened Murphy’s Hotel shortly after. Joseph W. Murphy knew how to run hotels. By 1911, he owned four hotels in neighboring towns and employed fifty-two “skilled assistants.” The rooms were “first class with steam heat, electric lights and hot and cold water.” Murphy’s Hotel and Restaurant 411-415 N. Main. (1902)

According to newspaper reporting, Murphy planned to build a five story, 100 room fireproof hotel to replace the one at 411-413 N Main. It is unknown what happened to those plans.

In 1919, after 23 years in the hotel business, Murphy sold the business to Fred Fuge.

Carrie van Aken: Newton Business Woman

Born in Michigan in 1867, Carrie Douglas Van Aken would grow up to be a “pioneer resident” in Harvey County, Kansas and an active businesswoman.
Shortly after Carrie and Edward van Aken were married in November 1884 in Michigan, they moved to Nickerson, Kansas where Edward was employed by the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railroad as a telephone operator. Both of their children, Mildred and Lawrence, were born in Kansas.
In 1896, the AT&SF Railroad division headquarters moved back to Newton. As a result, Edward moved his family to Newton. For the next 43 years, until his death in 1931, Edward worked as a telephone operator for the Santa Fe Railroad. The family established a home at 120 East 1st after 1910.
Carrie soon became involved in the thriving restaurant/ hotel business in Newton.

In 1905 Mrs. Carrie Van Aken is listed as bookkeeper at the Murphy Hotel and Cafe located at 411-415 Main, Newton. Joseph W. Murphy was the proprietor. Her daughter, Mildred, also worked for the Murphy Hotel as a clerk in 1902. Eventually, she established her own restaurant business. The 1917 Newton City Directory, Carrie Van Aken is listed as the proprietor of the Auditorium Cafe located at 122 E. 5th, right across from the Santa Fe Depot. During this time, she also served as secretary on the Chamber of Commerce.

More on Carrie Van Aken’s businesses ventures.

Another tragic story associated with the Murphy Hotel is the one of Mary Janke.

The stories on key tag could tell.

The Unexpected Has Happened: Floods of 1904.

Posted on June 3, 2025June 3, 2025 by hchm-curator

by Kristine Schmucker, Archivist/Curator

Previously posted August 8, 2013, No Place Like Newton, Even if it does have a Sand creek”: The 1904 Flood

“Sand Creek, the despised and ridiculed, spread over its banks and overflowed the north end, for once a raging, destruction dealing current.”

“The Flood-gates Were Opened”

Tuesday evening, May 31, 1904, a large crowd was enjoying a street concert in Newton. Everything came to an abrupt end when rain drops began to fall. The crowd and band quickly scattered, but not everyone reached a place of protection “when the heavy fall of rain came and scores were drenched.” The rain continued steadily the next morning, thoroughly saturating the ground. At about 3 o’clock in the afternoon, “the flood-gates were opened and the rain fell in torrents . . . it was a deluge. . . . For awhile, it was impossible to see the buildings on one side of Main street from the other, so heavy and dense was the falling moisture.” The system of sewers and the gutters was completely overwhelmed. The editors of the Evening Kansan-Republican felt confident to report that although Sand Creek was “way out of its banks” and streets were flooded the main “flood effects as usual were worst at the Third and Fifth street corners.”

Headlines from Evening Kansan-Republican, June 2, 1904

1904 Flood Newton
HCHM Photo Archives

The next edition of the Evening Kansan-Republican headlined with the statement that “Newtonians Have Never Thought Such a Flood as Yesterday’s Possible Here.”

“The unexpected has happened and Newton has had its first experience with flood conditions. During the floods that prevailed last spring in the eastern part of the state, Newtonians found satisfaction in the thought that their own town, of all others, was safe . . . being far from any river and apparently as high and dry as a town could be.” (Evening Kansan-Republican, June 3, 1904, p. 1)

Headlines from Evening Kansan-Republican
June 3, 1904

Devastation was everywhere. From four o’clock in the afternoon until after nine o’clock in the evening on June 2, 1904, “Sand creek, the despised and ridiculed, spread over its banks and overflowed the north end, for once a raging destruction-dealing current.” The worst flooding was roughly an area from the Missouri Pacific Railroad tracks south to Main and Broadway and west to Sand Creek.

1904 Flood Newton
Jno. D. Riesen, photographer
HCHM Photo Archives

Bridges were washed away. The Tenth street bridge washed out and floated downstream striking the Ash street bridge. Both were a total loss. Also heavily damaged were the bridges on Main street and Broadway.

Many were unexpectedly trapped as their homes became islands because “it seemed so improbably that the water could possible reach to such a height.” Rescue workers with “hacks and wagons . . . rescue men on horses” all worked to get everyone to safety. In some places the water was so deep that it reached “almost to the horse’s head” and wagons could not be used.

Rescuers faced not only deep water and a swift current, but the hidden danger of “the barbed wire and the fences which they encountered.” One rescuer, Ben Mears, was in the water for an hour and a half. Another rescuer, Harry Howes later admitted that he was nearly overcome while rescuing a frightened child that had fallen out of a rescue boat. Howes swam to the boy and “held the boy above the water” with one hand until help arrived. The rescuer later noted that “he was not conscious of his actions or his words at that time.”

Those between the Missouri Pacific tracks and the Main street bridge were completely cut off. Most sought refuge at the home of Frank Wedel, which was the highest point in the area. At one point the flood water was almost to this point and people were frantic. Eventually the water receded and danger averted.

June 1904 Flood Bethel College
Graymaroon, Bethel College Yearbook, 1917
HCHM Photo Archives

Train service was also delayed, stranding passengers at Emporia and Strong City. Track washed out in several locations including between Peabody and Florence and a bridge was washed out at Cedar Point.

“Everybody has a story to tell:” Stories from the Flood

A good portion of the June 3, and June 4 Newton Evening Kansan Republican related stories of rescue and damage a few of which are included below.

“Such is the irony of fate that while there were many chickens and pigs drowned, one lot of pigs, which had been especially obnoxious to the neighbors were every one saved.”

“At Rev H.R. Voth’s home, No. 1211, the water was four inches above the lower floor. The carpets are ruined.”

“One of the worst sufferers was James J. Norton at No 1222 Main. Mr Norton had just moved into the house, having installed the last load of his goods at noon . . . yesterday. . . .Mr. Norton got the family out. The water rose nearly two feet in the house. Carpets and most of the furniture were ruined. Many pictures, books and other articles were piled on the floor temporarily which made the loss particularly severe.”

“Mr. and Mrs. Harry Trauber stayed in their house until late getting things out of danger and then waded in water waist high to dry land.”

“Mrs. Jackson staid [in her home] until the water oozed through the boards of the first floor as she walked over them. By that time the water around the house was very deep and the work of rescue was dangerous.”

In a June 6, 1904 editorial, S.R. Peters noted that “There is no place like home. No friends like home friends. No scenes like home scenes. No skies like Kansas skies. No place like Newton, even if it does have a Sand creek.”

Note: According to two “old settlers”, A.B. Gilbert and W. J. Puett, there had only been two other times Sand Creek had flooded to this extent – in 1877 and 1871 – based on their observations.

The flood on June 2, 1904 was the first major flood to occur in Newton. The rainfall, measured at 4.10,” came in a short amount of time. Primarily affecting the north end of town, flood waters got up to 12 feet. From 4 – 9 pm, the rescue efforts were underway and there was no loss of life.

“Worst Flooding in It’s History”

Roughly one month later, Harvey County was hit with another deluge. On July 6-7, the Little Arkansas River overflowed causing major flooding in Halstead and Sedgwick.

Halstead experienced perhaps it’s worst flooding to that date with the entire easter part of the town under water. According to reports it rained for 11 pm until 4 am dropping 3 1/4 inches. From the river past the Presbyterian church had depts of two to four feet. In front of the newspaper office, the water was 3 1/2 feet delaying the printing of the paper until the next day. Despite the trials in town, the farmers along the river were affected the most. It was noted that the river rose at the rate of 2 to 2 1/2 inches an hour from eleven o’clock but had decreased to 1/2 an inch by 2 pm. It was expected that the river could rise another 5-6 inches as a result of all of the rain up stream.

1904 Flood Halstead
HCHM Photo Archives

1904 Flood Alta Mill
HCHM Photo Archives

Sedgwick faired a bit better. By July 7, the flood waters had receded. Train service was greatly impacted with many bridges out. The weather system affected an area from Topeka to Wichita with “nearly every river in state flooding.”