Fill ‘er Up! Harvey County Service Stations

by Kristine Schmucker, HCHM Curator

Summer means road trips and family vacations. Today, most of us likely pull into a convenience store like Casey’s or Kwik Trip to fill up our car with gas. No matter where in the country you might stop, the lay out and architecture is usually similar.

Years ago, service stations could be found as part of the neighborhood and the architecture was varied.

Kennedy White Eagle Service Station

The White Eagle Service Station at 114 E. Broadway was originally under the ownership of Elmer Kennedy.  After he died in 1918, his son, Carl, took over the station. The station was able to stay open throughout the 1930s, and was later run by D.M. Bowersock.

White Eagle Service Station, 114 E. Broadway, Newton, ca. 1920.

Kennedy White Eagle Service Station, 114 E. Broadway, Newton, ca. 1920.

Kennedy White Eagle Service Station, 114 E. Broadway, ca. 1930.

Kennedy White Eagle Service Station, 114 E. Broadway, ca. 1930.

Carl Kennedy Super Service, 114 E. Broadway, Newton, 1931. Image is from the 1931 Newton Telephone Directory.

Carl Kennedy Super Service, 114 E. Broadway, Newton, 1931. Image is from the 1931 Newton Telephone Directory.

Today, this is the location of Goossen Law Office, Newton, Ks. They even have a white eagle in their lobby in honor of the former occupants of the site. (Thank you to Kathy Randall for sharing this tidbit.)

Baxter Service Station

Baxter Service Station owned by Clarence Baxter 1950s and 1960s.

Baxter Service Station,701 E. 9th, Newton, ca. 1950s.

Baxter Service Station,701 E. 9th, Newton, ca. 1950s.

Baxter Service Station, 701 E. 9th, Newton, October 1958.

Baxter Service Station, 701 E. 9th, Newton, October 1958.

Today, an empty lot.

Grubb’s Service Station

Grubb’s Service Station, 1224 N. Main, Newton, owned by Melvin Grubb.

Grubb's Service Station, 1224 N. Main, Newton, 1957.

Grubb’s Service Station, 1224 N. Main, Newton, 1957.

Grubb's Service Station, 1224 N. Main, Newton, 1957.

Grubb’s Service Station, 1224 N. Main, Newton, 1957.

Today, a Kwik Shop in located at this corner.

Thanks to the efforts of Richard Hege and Linda Koppes, our Photo Archives has a large collection of images of service station in Harvey County.  These are always available to look at during Museum open hours.  Currently, we have a mini-retro exhibit up featuring Harvey County Service Stations. Stop by and see it!

“A Competent Set of Carriers To Serve Subscribers”

by Kristine Schmucker, HCHM Curator

With the summer months ahead, many young people will be looking for employment.  Newspaper delivery has long been a popular summer or first job.

The Evening Kansan Republican employed “a competent set of carriers”   to deliver the newspaper each day.

Evening Kansan Republican, 9 May 1908, p.2.

Evening Kansan Republican, 9 May 1908.

Carriers were expected to place the newspaper in the box provided by the subscriber.  Prompt delivery was also expected.

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Evening Kansan Republican employees, photo in the Western Journal of Commerce, Newton, Ks 1901, p.16. Carriers in the front.

In March 1916, Mrs. H.L. Hart, chairman of the Civics Committee, noted that after visiting with several home owners about “beautifying the lawns” that many were “discouraged in their efforts because of school children, the delivery boys and newspaper carriers making paths in the grass by walking across the grass.” She noted that she had talked to officials and “offenders” and hopefully the problem could be resolved.

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Carriers for the Evening Kansan Republican, September 14, 1935. (Top lt-rt): Delbert Ryun, Gilbert Miller (Walton), Ralph Coleman, Norman Johnson, Jewell MConnell, Floyd Walters, Rufus Baehr, John Nunemaker (Hesston), Otis Hall (Moundridge), Jack Whitlock. (Middle): Austin Wiebe, Norman Kackley, Eurene Maschoff, Lloyd Phillips, Lester Davis, Alvan Huston, William Gay, Kenneth Bellatti, Leonard Schroeder. (Bottom): Earl Becker (Halstead), Eldon Clark, Eugene Walton (Sedgwick), thomas Parks, Glenn Shoults, Webster T. Bolin – Circulation Mgr., Marvin Epp – Rural Circulation, Roger Regier, Ervin Zielke, Edward Gilchrist.

Recently, a carrier’s bag was donated to HCHM.  The canvas over the head bag was used to deliver the Newton Kansan in the 1960s by Gordon Hall.

Canvas Newspaper Bag, ca. 1960s. HCHM 2013.2

Canvas Newspaper Bag, ca. 1960s. HCHM 2013.2

 

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baginterior

Paper boys met before route to fold the newspapers and place in bag.

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What memories do you have of summer jobs?

Sources:

  • Evening Kansan Republican 9 May 1908, 7 March 1916
  • Western Journal of  Commerce, 1901.
  • HCHM 2013.2 Accession Record Notes: Gordon Hall

 

 

 

Sand Creek Flood Photo Album

Many remember the flood of June 9, 1965.  Since this week is the anniversary of the flood, we are sharing more photos from our collection from that day. More photos and memories can be found on facebook and After the Flood – June 9, 1965.

John Buhr floating near D.V. Preheim Farm, 1900 N. Main, Newton, June 1965.

John Buhr floating near D.V. Preheim Farm, 1900 N. Main, Newton, June 1965.

Photos from the June 9, 1965 flood

Sand Creek at East 24th Street, Newton, June 9, 1965

Sand Creek at East 24th Street, Newton, June 9, 1965

Rescue

Rescue Efforts, June 9, 1965.

Rescue Efforts, June 9, 1965.

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Scenes from Around Newton

Photographer is looking south from 1700 North Main toward Main and Ninth, Newton, Ks. June 1965.

Photographer is looking south from 1700 North Main toward Main and Ninth, Newton, Ks. June 1965.

1700 Block North Main , Newton, Ks June 1965. John Buhr on the left.

1700 Block North Main , Newton, Ks June 1965. John Buhr on the left.

 

1909 N. Main, Newton, Ks June 1965.

1909 N. Main, Newton, Ks June 1965.

1709 N. Main, Newton Ks, June 1965.

1709 N. Main, Newton Ks, June 1965.

Newton neighborhood, June 9, 1965.

Newton neighborhood, June 9, 1965.

100 Block W. 9th, Newton, Ks June 9, 1965.

100 Block W. 9th, Newton, Ks June 9, 1965.

Flood water covering ther Missouri Pacific Railroad tracks south of D.V. Preeim farm at 1900 N. Main, Newton, Ks, June 1965.

Flood water covering ther Missouri Pacific Railroad tracks south of D.V. Preeim farm at 1900 N. Main, Newton, Ks, June 1965.

G. Standish and W. Bradshaw taking a break. In the background are the Missouri Pacific Railroad tracks. June 1965.

G. Standish and W. Bradshaw taking a break. In the background are the Missouri Pacific Railroad tracks. June 1965.

Ash Street Bridge

 

Ash Street Bridge gone. June 1965.

Ash Street Bridge gone. June 1965.

Ash Street Bridge downstream. June 1965.

Ash Street Bridge downstream. June 1965.

Ash Street Bridge debris against the W. Broadway Bridge, Newton, Ks June 1965.

Ash Street Bridge debris against the W. Broadway Bridge, Newton, Ks June 1965.

 

 

Athletic Park

Looking west across Athletic Park, Newton, June 9, 1965.

Looking west across Athletic Park, Newton, June 9, 1965.