The Little Athens of Kansas
Collection: Chautauqua Assembly in Winfield, Kansas
Title
The Little Athens of Kansas
Subject
Winfield, KS -- History
Chautauqua Assembly -- History
Description
Pages 65 - 72 of the April 1909 edition of "Kansas Magazine". Winfield, KS is portrayed as 'The Little Athens of Kansas' due to the Chautauqua event plus other institutions; Southwestern College, St. John's Lutheran College, St. Mary's Hosptial, and various businesses.
Creator
The Kansas Magazine Company Wichita, KS USA
Publisher
Winfield Public Library, Winfield, Kansas
Date
1909-04
Rights
Format
text/plain
Language
English
Type
Periodicals
Citation
The Kansas Magazine Company Wichita, KS USA, “The Little Athens of Kansas,” Winfield Digital Collections, accessed April 28, 2024, https://winfield.digitalsckls.info/item/98.
Text
ARE YOU from Winfield?” “Yes, sir; Winfield’s my home.”
“Let’s see. Oh yes! That’s the town where they have the mule cars, isn’t it?”
The above conversation has been repeated in every state in the Union. Any citizen of Winfield who has been away from home over night has had these stale and annoying interrogations put to him. No man so far as is known has ever had courage enough to give a negative reply. These ancient conveyances are too well known to be denied. Humorists of wide reputation have written jocund articles about them, and on several notable occasions statesmen of national repute have referred to them with much merriment.
Be it known therefore, to all the people that Winfield’s mule power street railway system is a thing of the past—almost. A strictly up-to-the-hour, electric street railway and interurban system is practically complete and nearly ready for operation at the present time.
BY THE RAMBLER
66
THE KANSAS MAGAZINE.
Entrance to Beautiful Island Park.
The diminutive, rickety, little cars that have furnished an exhibition for the past decade to travelers passing
right angle. Along the outskirts of her western and southern borders stretches a picturesque ledge of rock. On the
east, along the entire border of the city skirts a chain of hills, and sloping
C. T. Franks, Leading Sunday School Worker of the State. With real estate firm of Franks, Page & Harris.
through the town, have never afforded an accurate exterior evidence of the interior of Beautiful Winfield, the Little Athens of the Sunflower State. Those who have ventured upon these ancient vehicles and have remained upon them until they have reached the center of the city have been well repaid for the venture. They soon “forgot it” and became lost in wonder and interest over the surroundings. The wide streets, always clean and neat in appearance; the capacious buildings of white stone, the perfect system of cement walks and a forest of fine maples and elms afford a combination of municipal adornments that compels the attention of visitors from all parts of the land.
Winfield is indeed beautifully situated. At her northwest corner the Walnut river and Turkey creek form a
Where “Big Ones” Are Caught Near Island Park.
67
THE LITTLE ATHENS OF KANSAS.
Southwestern’s Old College Hall.
gently down from these to the river below lies the valley in which is situated the “Chautauqua City of the West.” Viewed from any of the surrounding hills the town in its entirety presents a panoramic view that is entrancingly beautiful.
Winfield is not a “boom” town. She never has been. Her financial foundation was laid deep and her growth has been firm and steady from the ground up. Conservatism is a chief characteristic of the large majority of her business men. “Exciting” methods are rarely ever adopted by her merchants in the solicitation of patronage, and yet her annual volume of retail trade is without question equal to that of any town in Kansas of the same population. This desirable condition is doubtless due to the wealth not only of the city
Administration Hall. Southwestern College.
68
THE KANSAS MAGAZINE.
itself but also to the wealth of the surrounding country. An accurate canvass has recently been made covering a radius of eight miles adjacent to Winfield in all directions and it is found that over seventy per cent of all farm
ers living within this large scope of country have money on deposit in Winfield banks. The percentage of citizens in the city who own their property is also very large. On every street may be seen splendid residences where
St. Mary’s Hospital.
THE LITTLE ATHENS OF KANSAS.
Prof. A. W. Meyer, President St. John’s Lutheran College.
families of wealth reside. Many of these are retired farmers who have large land interests in the adjoining country. Another large contingent includes traveling representatives of eastern jobbers and manufacturers. Others are men who
P. H. Albright, One of the Town Builders, and a man prominent in State Affairs.
St. John’s Lutheran College.
city merely for its educational advantages. These classes of people naturally take great interest in their personal properties and as a result Winfield has more handsome avenues than any town in Kansas with a population less than ten thousand.
The wealth of Winfield is amply evinced in the excellent showing of her four banks: The Cowley County National Bank, The First National Bank, The Winfield National Bank and The State Bank. The last official bank statements of these four banks show a grand total of deposits aggregating $2,500,000.
Winfield is justly proud of her institutions of culture and learning. Her great Chautauqua assembly has a national reputation. In the promulgation of the real “Chautauqua idea” it is second only to the Mother Chautauqua at Chautauqua Lake, New York. Its home, Beautiful Island Park, is a place so very attractive that lecturers and statesmen who have traveled extensively, unanimously declare it the most beautiful natural park in all of the Middle West. Its stately forest trees, its wealth of blue grass and its abundant supply of pure water make it an ideal spot for people from the larger cities who wish to avail themselves of the culture afforded by a Chautauqua As-
70
THE KANSAS MAGAZINE.
W. C. Robinson, President First National Bank.
closure of mortgages, it has grown into a great college with an endowment of $100,000 and an enrollment of one thousand students. A magnificent administration hall is now under process of construction on a picturesque eminence situated a short
The First National Bank Building.
sembly and at the same time enjoy the comforts of real camp life.
Winfield’s Assembly for the summer of 1909 will present to its patrons such noted lecturers and statesmen ernor J. Frank Hanly, Dr. John Merril Driver, Edward A. Ott, William Sterling Battis, Hon. James Watson, Rev. “Billy” Sunday, Dr. Leon II. Vincent and the noted novelist, Ernest Seaton Thomas.
Southwestern College is Winfield’s great institution of learning. From a small school, loaded with indebtedness and threatened fore-
distance east of the old college building. The cost of the new hall will reach $75,000. The recent success of this institution is due largely to the
Gov-
as
The A. S. Kininmonth Produce Plant. Largest in the West.
Winfield’s Ancient Mule Rower System.
splendid ability and wise administration of President Frank E. Mossman and his efficient and able coworker, Dean Geo. A. Platts. Their aim is to make it the best and largest church school in the Middle West and the present indications are that their purpose will be accomplished.
The Lutheran College at Winfield is the only school in Kansas under the direct supervision of the German Synod. It is beautifully
THE LITTLE ATHENS OF KANSAS.
71
An Entrancing Scene Adjoining Island Park.
situated and well equipped. The standard of scholarship in this institution is not surpassed anywhere in the West. The College was founded by J. P. Baden, now deceased. Mrs. J. P. Baden is still its most ardent patron. A large and stately Lutheran Church has recently been built by Mrs. Baden and dedicated to the memory of her husband.
The system of public schools under the efficient superintendency of Professor J. W. Spindler is thoroughly organized and splendidly equipped for the very best work. The school buildings, five in number, are large and modern in every detail.
Other institutions of importance are: Three well equipped hospitals, the State School for feeble minded youth, and a very beautiful home for orphan children. The latter institution is maintained by Mrs. J. P. Baden.
The people of Winfield are friendly to a remarkable degree. The stranger who “lands” in town does not remain long until that comfortable “at home” feeling takes possession of him. There are but very few cases on record of families who have left Winfield and have not returned within five years, satisfied and delighted to “get back home. ’ ’
The open joint in Winfield is a thing
Where Chautauqua Visitors Can Enjoy the Cooling Swim.
72
THE KANSAS MAGAZINE.
The J. P. Baden Mills, One of the Largest Milling Plants in Kansas.
of the past. Four years ago the local Civic League under the administration of Mayor J. C. Page, cleaned up the town. The legal ability of John Marshall and the organizing ability of M. B. Light, aided materially in making the clean-up thorough and complete. Nearly all of the leading lawbreakers spent long-drawn-out terms in the county jail and as a result Winfield has not been harassed since by violators of the prohibitory law.
The present city administration under Chas. M. Wallace is clean and businesslike in every particular. He has been ably assisted in municipal affairs by three efficient commissioners, Andrew Wilson, P. H. Albright and H. A.
Caton. The first named member of the commission has been especially alert to the city’s needs. To his personal efforts the municipality is largely indebted for its new system of water works. The filter plant and settling basin of this new system were designed and built by Geo. H. Keefer of Oklahoma City, and we are informed by Professor Hoad, State engineer of Kansas, that while it is not the largest, it will be the most up-to-date and best equipped plant in Kansas.
Considering then, her modern municipal improvements, her educational, social and moral advantages, Winfield is indeed an ideal town in which to live.
Jewelry Store of Andrew Wilson.
Original Format
Paper
Title
The Little Athens of Kansas
Subject
Winfield, KS -- History
Chautauqua Assembly -- History
Description
Pages 65 - 72 of the April 1909 edition of "Kansas Magazine". Winfield, KS is portrayed as 'The Little Athens of Kansas' due to the Chautauqua event plus other institutions; Southwestern College, St. John's Lutheran College, St. Mary's Hosptial, and various businesses.
Creator
The Kansas Magazine Company Wichita, KS USA
Publisher
Winfield Public Library, Winfield, Kansas
Date
1909-04
Rights
Format
text/plain
Language
English
Type
Periodicals
Citation
The Kansas Magazine Company Wichita, KS USA, “The Little Athens of Kansas,” Winfield Digital Collections, accessed April 28, 2024, https://winfield.digitalsckls.info/item/98.Text
ARE YOU from Winfield?” “Yes, sir; Winfield’s my home.”
“Let’s see. Oh yes! That’s the town where they have the mule cars, isn’t it?”
The above conversation has been repeated in every state in the Union. Any citizen of Winfield who has been away from home over night has had these stale and annoying interrogations put to him. No man so far as is known has ever had courage enough to give a negative reply. These ancient conveyances are too well known to be denied. Humorists of wide reputation have written jocund articles about them, and on several notable occasions statesmen of national repute have referred to them with much merriment.
Be it known therefore, to all the people that Winfield’s mule power street railway system is a thing of the past—almost. A strictly up-to-the-hour, electric street railway and interurban system is practically complete and nearly ready for operation at the present time.
BY THE RAMBLER
66
THE KANSAS MAGAZINE.
Entrance to Beautiful Island Park.
The diminutive, rickety, little cars that have furnished an exhibition for the past decade to travelers passing
right angle. Along the outskirts of her western and southern borders stretches a picturesque ledge of rock. On the
east, along the entire border of the city skirts a chain of hills, and sloping
C. T. Franks, Leading Sunday School Worker of the State. With real estate firm of Franks, Page & Harris.
through the town, have never afforded an accurate exterior evidence of the interior of Beautiful Winfield, the Little Athens of the Sunflower State. Those who have ventured upon these ancient vehicles and have remained upon them until they have reached the center of the city have been well repaid for the venture. They soon “forgot it” and became lost in wonder and interest over the surroundings. The wide streets, always clean and neat in appearance; the capacious buildings of white stone, the perfect system of cement walks and a forest of fine maples and elms afford a combination of municipal adornments that compels the attention of visitors from all parts of the land.
Winfield is indeed beautifully situated. At her northwest corner the Walnut river and Turkey creek form a
Where “Big Ones” Are Caught Near Island Park.
67
THE LITTLE ATHENS OF KANSAS.
Southwestern’s Old College Hall.
gently down from these to the river below lies the valley in which is situated the “Chautauqua City of the West.” Viewed from any of the surrounding hills the town in its entirety presents a panoramic view that is entrancingly beautiful.
Winfield is not a “boom” town. She never has been. Her financial foundation was laid deep and her growth has been firm and steady from the ground up. Conservatism is a chief characteristic of the large majority of her business men. “Exciting” methods are rarely ever adopted by her merchants in the solicitation of patronage, and yet her annual volume of retail trade is without question equal to that of any town in Kansas of the same population. This desirable condition is doubtless due to the wealth not only of the city
Administration Hall. Southwestern College.
68
THE KANSAS MAGAZINE.
itself but also to the wealth of the surrounding country. An accurate canvass has recently been made covering a radius of eight miles adjacent to Winfield in all directions and it is found that over seventy per cent of all farm
ers living within this large scope of country have money on deposit in Winfield banks. The percentage of citizens in the city who own their property is also very large. On every street may be seen splendid residences where
St. Mary’s Hospital.
THE LITTLE ATHENS OF KANSAS.
Prof. A. W. Meyer, President St. John’s Lutheran College.
families of wealth reside. Many of these are retired farmers who have large land interests in the adjoining country. Another large contingent includes traveling representatives of eastern jobbers and manufacturers. Others are men who
P. H. Albright, One of the Town Builders, and a man prominent in State Affairs.
St. John’s Lutheran College.
city merely for its educational advantages. These classes of people naturally take great interest in their personal properties and as a result Winfield has more handsome avenues than any town in Kansas with a population less than ten thousand.
The wealth of Winfield is amply evinced in the excellent showing of her four banks: The Cowley County National Bank, The First National Bank, The Winfield National Bank and The State Bank. The last official bank statements of these four banks show a grand total of deposits aggregating $2,500,000.
Winfield is justly proud of her institutions of culture and learning. Her great Chautauqua assembly has a national reputation. In the promulgation of the real “Chautauqua idea” it is second only to the Mother Chautauqua at Chautauqua Lake, New York. Its home, Beautiful Island Park, is a place so very attractive that lecturers and statesmen who have traveled extensively, unanimously declare it the most beautiful natural park in all of the Middle West. Its stately forest trees, its wealth of blue grass and its abundant supply of pure water make it an ideal spot for people from the larger cities who wish to avail themselves of the culture afforded by a Chautauqua As-
70
THE KANSAS MAGAZINE.
W. C. Robinson, President First National Bank.
closure of mortgages, it has grown into a great college with an endowment of $100,000 and an enrollment of one thousand students. A magnificent administration hall is now under process of construction on a picturesque eminence situated a short
The First National Bank Building.
sembly and at the same time enjoy the comforts of real camp life.
Winfield’s Assembly for the summer of 1909 will present to its patrons such noted lecturers and statesmen ernor J. Frank Hanly, Dr. John Merril Driver, Edward A. Ott, William Sterling Battis, Hon. James Watson, Rev. “Billy” Sunday, Dr. Leon II. Vincent and the noted novelist, Ernest Seaton Thomas.
Southwestern College is Winfield’s great institution of learning. From a small school, loaded with indebtedness and threatened fore-
distance east of the old college building. The cost of the new hall will reach $75,000. The recent success of this institution is due largely to the
Gov-
as
The A. S. Kininmonth Produce Plant. Largest in the West.
Winfield’s Ancient Mule Rower System.
splendid ability and wise administration of President Frank E. Mossman and his efficient and able coworker, Dean Geo. A. Platts. Their aim is to make it the best and largest church school in the Middle West and the present indications are that their purpose will be accomplished.
The Lutheran College at Winfield is the only school in Kansas under the direct supervision of the German Synod. It is beautifully
THE LITTLE ATHENS OF KANSAS.
71
An Entrancing Scene Adjoining Island Park.
situated and well equipped. The standard of scholarship in this institution is not surpassed anywhere in the West. The College was founded by J. P. Baden, now deceased. Mrs. J. P. Baden is still its most ardent patron. A large and stately Lutheran Church has recently been built by Mrs. Baden and dedicated to the memory of her husband.
The system of public schools under the efficient superintendency of Professor J. W. Spindler is thoroughly organized and splendidly equipped for the very best work. The school buildings, five in number, are large and modern in every detail.
Other institutions of importance are: Three well equipped hospitals, the State School for feeble minded youth, and a very beautiful home for orphan children. The latter institution is maintained by Mrs. J. P. Baden.
The people of Winfield are friendly to a remarkable degree. The stranger who “lands” in town does not remain long until that comfortable “at home” feeling takes possession of him. There are but very few cases on record of families who have left Winfield and have not returned within five years, satisfied and delighted to “get back home. ’ ’
The open joint in Winfield is a thing
Where Chautauqua Visitors Can Enjoy the Cooling Swim.
72
THE KANSAS MAGAZINE.
The J. P. Baden Mills, One of the Largest Milling Plants in Kansas.
of the past. Four years ago the local Civic League under the administration of Mayor J. C. Page, cleaned up the town. The legal ability of John Marshall and the organizing ability of M. B. Light, aided materially in making the clean-up thorough and complete. Nearly all of the leading lawbreakers spent long-drawn-out terms in the county jail and as a result Winfield has not been harassed since by violators of the prohibitory law.
The present city administration under Chas. M. Wallace is clean and businesslike in every particular. He has been ably assisted in municipal affairs by three efficient commissioners, Andrew Wilson, P. H. Albright and H. A.
Caton. The first named member of the commission has been especially alert to the city’s needs. To his personal efforts the municipality is largely indebted for its new system of water works. The filter plant and settling basin of this new system were designed and built by Geo. H. Keefer of Oklahoma City, and we are informed by Professor Hoad, State engineer of Kansas, that while it is not the largest, it will be the most up-to-date and best equipped plant in Kansas.
Considering then, her modern municipal improvements, her educational, social and moral advantages, Winfield is indeed an ideal town in which to live.
Jewelry Store of Andrew Wilson.
Original Format
Paper