2023
Sesquicentennial Celebration
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Welcome to this 2023 special edition of Chase County Living
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ONGRATULATIONS TO THE ORGANIZERS, participants, and the community on an amazing weekend celebrating the Chase County Courthouse Sesquicentennial.
This milestone birthday needed a special celebration and what a great event-filled weekend it was. With the variety of activities and events, it brought locals together along with visitors from around the country. The Chase County Courthouse is arguably the most iconic courthouse in the state of Kansas, if not the nation; and at 150 years old, the courthouse couldn’t have looked any better, anchoring the end of Broadway Street in the center of Cottonwood Falls. The care, restoration, and community pride over all these generations made it shine on this special occasion. So much history has happened in that building and, as they say, “if walls could talk,” indeed it would have great stories to tell. We wanted to create this special commemorative publication as a way to document the weekend-long celebration, along with some of the history that was shared. We hope you enjoy what we put together for you and we want to thank all the advertisers who made this publication possible and complimentary to readers. Although none of us will be here 150 years from now for the courthouse’s 300th birthday party, we do hope that it will be just as grand and special an occasion as the Sesquicentennial Celebration.
Chris Walker Publisher
PUBLISHER Chris Walker CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Shayla Gaulding Valerie Soto PHOTOGRAPHY Eric Dyck Dave Leiker DESIGN & LAYOUT Margie McHaley ADVERTISING Montana Cushing
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COPY EDITORS Ryann Brooks Shayla Gaulding For more information, please contact: The Emporia Gazette 901 W. 6th Ave. Emporia, Kansas, 66801 620-342-4800 Chase County Living Magazine is a publication of Chase County Leader-News
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Weekend Celebration
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History of the Courthouse
Planning the Historic Event
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Towle Sisters
History Book Courthouse Merchandise
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DAVE LEI KER
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Kicking off Friday with the Homecoming parade and football game against the Lyndon Tigers, the Emma Chase Friday Night Music music jam at Prairie PastTimes and an 1873 Victorian Ball at the Old School Community Center, the celebrations continued all day Saturday. Residents filled Broadway Street for tours of the historic courthouse with the Towle sisters, cookies and conversation about Chase County ghost towns at the Senior Center, inflatables and a foam pit at the “kid zone,” face painting, caricaturist Joe Worley and live music performances by Tallgrass Express, Weda Skirts, Kim Coslett and the Jess Dean Band. A free concert from country-western legend Michael Martin Murphey rounded out the festivities, which ended with a bang during the evening firework display.
Chase County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Toni Schneider said she believes the celebration turned out even better than expected. “The community was extraordinary,” Schneider said. “I saw several families that all of their grown children had come back for the day or for the weekend. So, it was kind of like a family reunion weekend as well.” Chase County hosted visitors from Colorado, Oklahoma and even as far as Wisconsin for the weekend of events, which brought tourism to local businesses, restaurants and overnight accommodations. “All of our guest houses were booked way in advance,” Schneider said. “It was really good for the local economy as well. The restaurants I talked
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to said they were just crazy busy starting on Friday. … The downtown businesses all had special things going on, but on top of that, I saw a lot of people shopping. The specials brought the people to the store and then they saw the great things that the store already had to offer. I saw people hauling antiques out of the antique store and artwork out of Prairie PastTimes. It was really good for the local businesses to have an extra event to draw people to town.” Schneider said it was healing in a way, to see the community come together for the 150th birthday celebration. “In these times we’ve had a lot of division and I think the courthouse celebration reminded us that we, as a community, built that courthouse, created the community surrounding it in Chase County and that we’re all still here and we’re all still community,” she said. Schneider said she has already had residents reach out to say the celebration reminded them of the annual Chase County Days celebrations — and now hope to bring the fall festival back to life. While the Sesquicentennial Celebration was a success, Schneider said none of it would be possible without help from the community, from the celebration planning committee to the generous sponsors. — C
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the heart of Chase County, Kansas, stands a majestic historical monument that’s withstood the test of time for 150 years - the Chase County Courthouse. The courthouse is an embodiment of history and is a witness to a variety of stories. To mark this extraordinary milestone, the community came together for a spectacular sesquicentennial celebration that will be etched in the hearts of the community and future generations to come.
In order to give the courthouse the appropriate celebration, one that’s been earned, preparations began in Aug. 2022. Tiffany Harshman, Chase County deputy clerk, and Toni Schneider, Chase County Chamber of Commerce director, were the lead coordinators and were able to compile a group of people that included Barb Davis, former employee of the courthouse; Delwin and Sharon Burton, who work for the historical society; Jenna Gibb, a fourth generation to work at the courthouse, and many more. This monumental event called for meticulous planning over the course of the year and was met with unwavering dedication and diligent attention from a passionate planning committee. United by their love and adoration for the courthouse, the committee of at least 20 people had a one goal: to pay tribute to a vital piece of their town’s history, one that held a cherished place in their hearts. “We had a really great committee that pulled their own weight,” Harshman said. Their commitment to dedicating their time and energy to organizing an event that would do justice to the courthouse’s enduring legacy was evident in the ideas that were thrown left and right about how they could achieve the perfect event, one that would resonate with the community and capture the essence of the courthouse. The result was nothing short of extravagant, leaving no wish unfulfilled for the diverse group of attendees. The event featured an array of experiences, from local bands and a
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wealth of souvenir options to food trucks and an elegant 1873 Victorian ball. The highlight of the evening was special guest Michael Martin Murphey who gave attendees an unforgettable performance. Local businesses designed exclusive commemorative coffee cups, but the centerpiece of the souvenir collection was a unique 3D ornament created and designed by Schneider and Kansas Graphics. “I reached out to the White House Historical Association, and with the help of Kansas Graphics, we created a 3D ornament,” Schneider said. Even after the event, community members
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have the opportunity to purchase the keepsake through the chamber website. Another special aspect was the ‘Cookies and Conversations’ chat that was held at the senior center. Panelists from Chase County shared captivating stories of old towns, now known as ghost towns, like Matfield Green, Clements, and Elmdale. The engaging discussion offered a deeper understanding of Kansas’ history and connected attendees to it. Taking a trip down memory lane was essential in commemorating the courthouse’s legacy. It reminded the residents of their beloved monument and taught the children the legacy they are
inheriting through tours of the courthouse. “I take great pleasure in hearing tourists come in the front door and gasp when they see the magnificent staircase,” Harshman said. When it came time to prepare for the event, everyone in the community was asked to participate in showing their support for the courthouse. Elementary students colored pictures of the courthouse, which were on display during the event. High school students were asked to put together a slideshow containing personal photos that people in the community had taken of the courthouse and that the pre-
sentation was displayed in the Symphony at the Flint Hills Art Gallery. Bringing this event to life was no small feat, and the financial aspect presented a challenge. However, it was made possible by the community’s persistent spirit in wanting to make this event a reality. Residents came together, rallying behind a common cause, and generously donated funds to ensure that the courthouse received the celebration it truly deserved. Social media like Facebook was an invaluable resource in gaining traction for the event and in inspiring the community to come out and celebrate. “We started reaching out to
people just asking for donations,” Schneider recalled. “The response was overwhelming.” The community’s shared bond to the courthouse made this tribute possible. Every individual who contributed, whether financially or through their time and effort, played a crucial role in bringing this grand celebration to fruition. The willingness to cooperate and collaborate with each other served as a testament to courthouse’s immense significance in the heart of Chase County. It stands at the focal point of the downtown area, a magnetic attraction that residents and visitors can’t ignore. In many ways,
it’s the glue of the community. “It’s the centerpiece of our community and I am proud to service the people of Chase County from within the courthouse walls,” Harshman said. It remains the cornerstone of this vibrant community, a cherished symbol of unity, pride, and heritage. In honoring the past, celebrating the present, and looking toward the future, the Chase County Courthouse Sesquicentennial Celebration truly embodied the enduring the spirit of a community that came together to pay homage to its most beloved and historic landmark. —C
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Therefore, at a special election in August of 1871, 13 years after the county’s formation and with a population of about 600, voters approved a $40,000 bond levy for a new courthouse and jail. The bond issue passed by 64 votes. From the beginning, the Chase County Courthouse had a remarkable past. A handful of pioneers — a bare majority of voters — dared to dream of a public building which would last a century. After the bond issue passed, Isaac Alexander, one of the county’s more flamboyant settlers, donated two and a half acres of land in Cottonwood Falls (the county seat) to the county with the condition that a combination courthouse and jail be built on his land at the head of Broadway, the hamlet’s main street. Also, he stipu-
lated that the county maintain this ‘Courthouse Square’ for a public park. Chase County officials were quick to accept his offer. John Bannon of Leavenworth, Kansas, was low bidder for the structure. He, in turn, with the commissioners’ consent chose John G. Haskell of Lawrence as architect. Mr. Bannon and Mr. Haskell, who was also one of the nation’s foremost architects, envisioned a bold concept in design — a
French Renaissance Château of the Louis XIII period. Indeed, a daring project in the 1870s. These men and their skilled workers toiled two years to build a courthouse which would be unmatched. They spared no expense to erect a building which would serve Chase County for a century or more, a monument to these proud Flint Hills Pioneers. The Chase County Courthouse is the oldest courthouse in Kansas and the Midwest still in daily use.
A small colony of sixty workmen came with Mr. Bannon from Leavenworth to build the Courthouse. The contractor knew about the fine magnesium limestone abundant in Chase County. Consequently, he decided the entire three-story structure would be built of this native stone. His masons opened a quarry on Mr. Alexander’s land on Spring Creek, a half-mile west of the site. Bannon and Haskell personally supervised the construction.
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All of the limestone was quarried and hand-cut then brought to the Courthouse square by horse-drawn wagons. A few of the massive stones, some weighing from five to 5 to 7 tons, were quarried 2 miles west of Cottonwood Station (now Strong City). Mr. Bannon’s notes show that these stone masons and carpenters, who worked six days a week for two years, were well-paid for their efforts. They earned $3.50 a day; other laborers received from $1.75 to $2.25 a day. Chase Countians watched in awe as the three-story structure took shape, a fairy-book French Renaissance castle. The building was like nothing they had ever seen, with its ornate cornices and mouldings and the mansard roof topped with a towering cupola. It was grand! Finally, on Oct. 8, 1873, the Courthouse was completed. To celebrate its completion, Chase Countians gave themselves a grand ball in the second floor courtroom on
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Friday, Oct. 17, 1873. Supper tables groaning with food, were spread in the jail. Families in buggies and men on horseback, traveled from all the nearby villages for the house-warming. When they entered the tall double doors opening to the main foyer, they gazed at one of the architectural wonders of Kansas or any state — a spiral staircase which extended from the first to the third floor. The wide stairway of 53
steps made a full circle for each of the three halls, one directly above the other. A massive black walnut ballestrade, the celebrants observed, was hand-cut from walnut trees growing beside the Cottonwood River. “Incredible,” they whispered. The winding staircase had no center support. Quarter-sawn boards run the length of the first floor foyer. From the main hallway, eight-
foot high doors, with embossed brass hardware, opened to six county offices. On the second floor, the townsfolk walked through another double doorway into the high-ceilinged courtroom, its ceiling made of embossed tin. Toward the rear, on either side of
the judges’s bench, they inspected the jury room and judge’s chamber. Climbing the staircase to the third floor, they discovered two additional rooms. Some of the braver party-goers scaled the ladder to the bell tower which enclosed a 500 pound bronze bell. The bell served a genuine purpose. Its peal alerted the townspeople of fires and tornadoes and it reminded them when court was in session. A long rope attached to the bell hung to the first floor foyer. (After a cupola fire in 1966, the bell tower’s renovations dimmed the bell’s tone; however; sometimes it is rung.) At the cupola’s side, a 6-foot high clock faces the town’s main street. Each hand weighs some 120 pounds and measures 3 1/2 feet. (Today, time frequently stands still in Chase County. The clock tower, looming 113 feet from the ground, is often a target for lightening bolts.) On the third floor, a high, recessed oval window facing Broadway intrigues children who love to crawl into the window nook. With its lofty view, they can watch the happenings on main street or they might gaze at the rolling prairies speckled with wild flowers. As the people explored the south wing of their wondrous Courthouse, they approved the three-room living quarters for the sheriff and his family. They were proud of the stoutly built jail on the second floor — an improvement from their log cabin jail. The jail’s ceiling and
floor were constructed by 2 by 8 inch oak planks laid on edge, the spiked side by side. The floors were then covered by sheet metal. A solid steel door opening on the hallway made the most ‘hardened outlaw’ forget his notions of a jailbreak. The jail would serve the county’s malefactors for a century until the mid 1970’s when new state statues closed the jail forever. On the south, another walnut staircase, a smaller version of the north staircase, provided access from the basement to the second floor. People discovered a walk-in attic above the jail. This attic contained a large wooden plank cistern used to collect rain water from the tile roof. The party-goers found the basement stairway leading from the main foyer. The basement with dirt floors held the coal bins and vaults for county records, and according to many — rats! (An old vault still remains in the basement corner guarding county records. Another unusual vault in the Register of Deed’s Office, circa 1910, is two stories high with a glass brick ceiling!) As Chase Countains toured their new, majestic Courthouse from the basement to its towering cupola, some dare-devil boys, the story goes, raced each other around the wide ledge on the roof or took turns sliding down the walnut banister. Young and old alike were convinced that the building, which they had sacrified to build, was unparalleled. Today, over a
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century after the builders work, the Chase County Courthouse continues to “serve the people well.” Native limestone, used in the building, has been shipped to every state in the country where it may be found in scores of famous public structures, including the Capitol Building in Washington D.C. and the Topeka State House. Each year over 6,000 visitors from every state and from many countries visit the Courthouse, marveling at its architectural design, the stonework and the spiral staircase in the same way as did the pioneers in 1873. In 1971, the Courthouse was entered in the National Registry of Historic Places and the Kansas Historical Site register. Unmatched in durability and design, the Courthouse remains a living tribute to its builders
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and the Flint Hills pioneers who dreamed of a Courthouse which would stand a century. Their legacy belongs to everyone.
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Available at the Chase County Chamber office, 318 Broadway St, Cottonwood Falls
Lapel pins Key chains
$5 00
$2 00 Ornaments T-shirts
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0 5 $2