Tag Archives: small towns

Close to Home

One of my favorite “close to home” adventures is just south of Salina, KS.

Classes were in session at the Smolan High School from 1926 – 1950.  The last graduating class had 3 students.  Elementary and junior high classes were held there until the closing of the school in 1987.  In 1996 the school was occupied by the Hickory Tree BBQ Restaurant.  It’s no longer open, I miss that place!

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Salemsborg Lutheran Church.  Built in 1929.

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Certainly didn’t plan on the serpent!

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The stone pulpit stand on the site of the original sod church

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Coronado Heights overlooking the Smoky River valley

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Dickinson County, KS

 

Cemetery and Church near Holland, KS

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Navarre, KS

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Woodbine, KS

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Pearl, KS

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Barn and abandoned farms near Chapman, KS

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Enterprise, KS

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Patriotic silo near Abilene, KS

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Bavaria, Brookville, and Glendale, Saline County, KS

Bavaria is an unincorporated town in Saline County, KS located along highway 140.  It is named after the state of Bavaria in Germany, where Ernst Hohneck one of the original settlers was from.  Barvaria was originally  known as Hohneck, he came to this area in 1862.  Today just a few people live in the town.

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Brookville was a cow town that got its start in 1867 after the railroad reached this area.  The town grew quickly as a major cattle shipping point.  Numerous businesses that once thrived were 3 hotels, saloons, furniture store, drug store, elevator, livery stable and 2 lumber yards.  Today there is a junior/senior high school, numerous churches, and a saloon.  The famous Brookville Hotel Restaurant has since relocated to Abilene, KS it is  worth a stop for one of their chicken dinners!

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Glendale, Saline County, KS

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Beaumont Hotel, Kansas and Flint Hills along 177

The Beaumont Hotel is located in Beaumont, KS in Butler County, KS. The hotel was built in 1879 as a railroad hotel.  Across the street from the hotel is a wooden 1885 Frisco water tower,  once used to service steam locomotives, one of the last remaining water tower of its kind in the US.  In the 1940’s business men would land their planes on Main Street to check their cattle.  The hotel purchased some land on the east side of town in 1953  and put in a grass landing strip.  Pilots now taxi up Main Street to park at the bent prop parking lot.  Cars must yield to aircraft!DSC01079

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This is a day trip that I will take again.  It was such a cloudy, foggy, drizzly day.  Just south of Beaumont is the Elk River Wind Project.  There are 150 windmills situated on 8,000 acres.  I couldn’t see any of them.

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I think I will take another road!!!  DSC01087

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A couple of wild horses along the road between Rosalia and Cassoday.  There is a herd of 2000 wild horses just to the south of Cassoday.

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Matfield Station, Matfield Green, KS  is a former railroad bunkhouse that has been converted into a lodge.

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Cottonwood Falls, KS

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Cottonwood Falls and Strong City, KS are only seperated by a couple of miles.  When you are in this area you have to stop at the Ad Astra restaurant.  Such a great place!!!!

 

 

 

 

Tuesday’s Adventure, Wilson & Lucas

Our journey starts out in Wilson, KS the Czech Capital of Kansas.  Such a pretty town that is located off of I-70 at mile marker 206.

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Wilson State Bank Building

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City Jail and Water Tower

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It’s been awhile since I’ve used a phone booth!

Wilson Lake

Known for the clearest water in Kansas, Wilson Lake is one of the better fishing lakes for crappie, walleye and wipers.  The shore line is scenic and rugged.  Unfortunately the lake it is currently at record low.

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Lucas, KS

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Garden of Eden

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Millers Park

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Bowl Plaza

This public restroom is amazing!!!  You have got to go…….see this!!

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The lid is always open and there’s plenty of paper.  (The roll of toilet paper is right side of first photo.)

 

Wine Bottles

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Women’s Restroom

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Men’s  Restroom

 

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The chess set, dominoes and piano keys above the door didn’t show up very well.  Love the Hot Wheels mural.  Be sure to click on the photos too see them better.

 

 

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Farm outside of Sylvan Grove, KS

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Excelsior Lutheran Church

This beautiful church can be seen from I-70.  the metal tower at night displays a white cross. Services are held every Sunday at 8:30

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