Our upcoming exhibit, “Inventors” features local people who turned their ideas for a “better way” into a new object. The creative process of local inventor and businessman, Lloyd Smith, will be included in the exhibit. In May 2013, we posted an article about Lloyd Smith and the invention of the screwball driver.
Our exhibit opens, September 15, 2016.
by Kristine Schmucker, HCHM Curator
Our post this week starts with a mystery and a set of three faded photos. In faint ink, in the lower right corner of one of the photograph is “Turner Hall.” On the back there is a notation – “July 1900. Turner Hall Picnic, Prouty’s Grove.” Through newspaper references, a story emerges of an organization that was active in Harvey County at the turn of the century.
Turner Hall Picnic, July 1900, Prouty’s Grove.
The Turnverein, a combination social and athletic club, was originally organized early in 19th century Germany by Friedrich Ludwig Jahn as a gymnastic movement to prepare young men for the military. By the late 1800s the movement had changed focus and the organizations in the U.S. and Kansas stressed physical exercise and social activities. Members were called “Turners.”
A Turner society was formed in Wichita by German immigrants in the 1870s. In Newton, the Turn Verein was established in 1883 by eight men. By the tenth anniversary of the Newton organization in 1893, they owned “several lots on Ash street and have built one of the finest gymnasiums in the state.” Throughout the late 1890s and early 1900s, the “Turners” were quite active in Newton, hosting masquerade balls, monthly picnics and other social events.
The photos are of a picnic held in July 1900 at Prouty’s Grove. Because the picnic was expected to go late into the evening, it was important to hold the event when the moon was full to take advantage of the moonlight.
Turner Hall Picnic, July 1900, Prouty’s Grove.
Prouty’s Grove, Detail of Section 10, Macon Township, Harvey County, Ks, Edward’s Plat Map 1882.
Turner Hall Picnic, July 1900, Prouty’s Grove.
The Turner’s Masquerade Ball was also a popular activity.
“During its many years existence, the Newton branch . . . has given a number of such affairs, but none has proved more successful or has yielded more unadulterated fun that the masquerade ball given in Turner hall.”
Eighty people attended the Masquerade Ball in January 1901. Costumes were “elaborate and unique, ranging from the beautiful to the grotesque.” Kosa’s orchestra “fairly out did itself in furnishing inspiring music for the dancers.”
In the last years of its existence, Turner Hall was used much like a city auditorium. By the summer of 1918 , the Turners, as an organization, seems to have disbanded. The gymnasium equipment was given to local schools and the lot where Turner Hall stood was sold to Clarence Merriam. In 1919, Turner Hall, erected in 1885, was torn down to be replaced with “neat modern cottages.”
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.
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.
Kennedy White Eagle Service Station, 114 E. Broadway, Newton, ca. 1920.
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.
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 owned by Clarence Baxter 1950s and 1960s.
Baxter Service Station,701 E. 9th, Newton, ca. 1950s.
Baxter Service Station, 701 E. 9th, Newton, October 1958.
Today, an empty lot.
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.
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!
