Impressions of Grasshopper Falls and Osawkee, 1855

Compiled by Betty Jane Wilson, president, Valley Falls Historical Society

Reflecting on Valley Falls history, highlighting the names of the four pioneers, James Frazier, Robert Riddle, Andrew J. Whitney, and Hozea B. Jolly, a sundry of historic notes from neighboring town news sources and the Grasshopper edited by J.A. Cody provide insight into our town's infancy, with some mention of our neighbors.

The Kansas Weekly Herald, Leavenworth, Jan. 19, 1855: "Grasshopper Falls is the name of a new town recently located on the beautiful stream called Grasshopper, at the Falls — It will be surveyed in a short time and lots sold. It is a beautiful site for a town, abundantly supplied with water, with fine water power and good timber, excellent soil with many other advantages. The adjacent country is susceptible of a dense population, that must make the town a county seat. Besides it is on the nearest and most direct route from here (Ft. Leavenworth) to Ft. Riley."

The Weekly Herald, Jan. 26, 1855: "Whitney and Jolly, Attorney and Counsellors at Law, General Land Agents and Dealers in Real Estate, Grasshopper Falls, E.T.W. and J., have permanently located themselves at Grasshopper Falls, the vicinity of the best timbered and watered portion of Kansas.

"They will assist settlers in securing claims, either timber or rich prairie. Settlers will find it for their interest to apply to them as they have given the adjacent country a thorough exploration and have become familiar with all its advantages."

The Kansas Weekly Herald, March 13, 1855: "Grasshopper Falls — This town recently located at the Falls on that beautiful stream known as the Grasshopper, is about 20 miles from the Missouri River. There is a splendid mill site at the place and a large mill now being erected. The timbers for the dam and mill have been ready for a week or two. A store with a general assortment would be a splendid business at this thriving town."

The Kansas Weekly Herald, March 30, 1855: "Trip to Osawkee — Osawkee is on the Grasshopper Creek, one of the prettiest streams in the territory, just at the point where the military road crosses from Ft. Leavenworth via Ft. Riley, to New Mexico, Salt Lake, California, and Oregon. It is located on a high bottom, which is sufficiently undulating to make it dry and healthy. The surrounding scenery is magnificent and attractive. Everything about the place seems as if nature has fixed it for a large and flourishing town. All it needs is the hand of industry to make it what nature assigned it to be. Osawkee is between thirty and thirty-five miles from Ft. Leavenworth, and is the only place on the road after passing Stranger Creek at which a town can be built."

Next — Trip to Grasshopper Falls June 6, 1855.

The society museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 29.

Report from 2011 annual meeting

Wilson re-elected president of VFHS

There were 36 members and guests attending the 44th annual meeting and dinner of the Valley Falls Historical Society Oct. 16, held at The Barn Bed and Breakfast Inn, Valley Falls.

The following officers and directors were elected to serve the society for 2011-2012: Betty Jane Wilson, president; Rosalind Jackson, vice president; Lesa Brosa, secretary; and Gary Coleman, treasurer. For directors: Joan Reichart, Anita Stutesman, and James Durand. For historian: Frank Shrimplin.

Gary Coleman presented Maxine Hefty with a flowering plant and special thanks from the society officers and directors in appreciation for many years service as secretary for the organization.

Sara Jane Richter, dean of liberal arts and professor of English at Oklahoma Panhandle State University, Goodwell, Okla., presented a program and discussion on buffalo hunters and their impact on history.

Sara Jane is one of 150 speakers from the Kansas Humanities Council Bureau commemorating the Kansas sesquicentennial.

The historial society museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 22.

History of the Santa Fe Depot

- Compiled by Betty Jane Wilson, society president

"Days of the old depot numbered" read the headlines of the July 20, 1917, Farmers' Vindicator of Valley Falls followed by "What was once the pride of the whole country discarded to make room for the new."

The news article continued:
"The work of building the new and modern Santa Fe Depot at Valley Falls started the first of the month and is now on in earnest. Swanson Bros. of Topeka have the contract to build the $21,000 structure and ornament of our city from foundation to finish.

With the building of the new railroad station comes the story of the building and passing of the old depot after an existence of more than 45 years. Beginning in Topeka in the summer of 1868, the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe was completed to Emporia in April 1870. Later in 1871, after a bond vote and securing the right of way, the construction of the Santa Fe from Atchison to Topeka was begun and in the spring of 1872 the 50 miles of road was completed.

It was a proud day for the people of Valley Falls (then Grasshopper Falls) with its new depot and a regular schedule of freight and passenger service. It was on the map as a railroad town. With the arrival of the railroad, Grasshopper Falls took on new life, built better and drew trade from a large territory.

Prior to that time, the business center was on north Sycamore Street and the route to and from the railroad was along Louisa Street, a block north of Broadway."

Later on the business center was relocated along east Broadway and became the main thoroughfare. The news of the planned new depot prompted the following from the same news item, "We hail with joy the coming of the new depot, the next thing to a union station, right in the busy end of our prosperous town, refreshed by pure sand springs water, lighted by electricity, and kept healthful by sanitary sewers. . . the building of the new station at the foot of that wide street will be the way there too for many generations, perhaps."

Then, sadly, generations later, from the pen of the late Edith Harden of the Valley Falls Historical Society, Nov. 6, 1980: "The old Santa Fe Depot, sentinel of the past and shorn of virtually everything except its storehouse of memories, is gone—destroyed by fire Saturday (Halloween). Don Watkins of the State Fire Department, after examining the ruins of the building, said, 'There was human involvement in the fire.'

"The red brick depot, once the pride of the community, had been abandoned since the Corps of Engineers acquired the property and the Santa Fe moved their freight office to the new location. Vandalism, flood water, and neglect had taken their toll and the cost of restoring the building was considered prohibitive by city officers.

"The old depot was considered the finest small town rail station in Kansas, built in 1917. It was the hub of activity as passengers arrived and departed in that era now long gone. There is a certain sadness and nostalgia as old timers talk of the burned building. The old depot has won a place in local railroad lore, along with the steam engine whistle, the telegraph key, the old water tower, and the old Boston fern in the waiting room."

Offsprings of the old Boston fern (circa 1915) now resides at the Valley Falls Historical Society museum.

The museum will be open Saturday at 10 a.m.

Annual Meeting

 

 

New School Building 1900

- Compiled by Betty Jane Wilson, Valley Falls Historical Society President

"Of nothing is a city more justifiably proud than of exceptionally good school facilities," stated an article from the Valley Falls Historical Society's history files titled "The City's Pride 1900 — Our School and Handsome New Building."

Continuing the article:
"October 5th, 1898, the old stone building was discovered on fire and in spite of all that could be done, the upper rooms were destroyed and the whole building so damaged, it was decided to build a new structure . . . although the basement and lower rooms were temporarily fixed up and with the addition of the city hall, school was continued.

"The patrons of the school promptly voted bonds and at once let the contract for the new building."

Monday morning, Sept. 17, 1900, school was scheduled to open in the new building, with the following description:

"Our new school building is one of the most modern and in every way admirable school houses in the state for a town of this size. It is a beautifully designed structure of brick on a stone foundation. The dimensions are about 90x90 feet. There are three entrances, one especially for the primary department. Mead's improved system of heating and ventilation extends throughout the building. It is a hot air system and the ventilation is effective without draughts. The lighting is very thorough and based on scientific principles. All floors are hard wood.

"There are ten rooms and as many wardrobes opening into each school room. Each room shares with one other a teachers' study making five of these in the building.  The assembly room and library may readily be thrown into one room making a spacious hall. The house is furnished with single seats and desks. Wall slates (blackboards) are liberally supplied."

The approximate cost of  the building and furnishings, $20,000.

The following teachers were hired for the opening year:  Prof. W.D. Ross, Miss Myers, Miss Murray, Miss Kamm, Miss Gephart, Miss Stephen, Miss Townsend, and Miss Harman. All female teachers, except Miss Harman and Miss Stephan, were Valley Falls High School graduates.