Cityof
Pawnee Rock
BARTON COUNTY
106
SUSANK ODIN
GALATIA BEAVER
CLAFLIN
OLMITZ ALBERT HOISINGTON GREAT BEND
PAWNEE ROCK
ELLINWOOD
Pawnee Rock looking to preserve past
A
t the corner of Centre Street and US 54 stands the oldest building in Pawnee Rock. Made from limestone of the rock from which the town takes its name, the two-story building at 321 Centre has served in many capacities to greet visitors to the community for the past 130 years or so, most recently as P. Lee’s Antiques. In 2019, Jerry Walker, California, visited Pawnee Rock with a niece, Glenda Kirby Walker, after they learned the antique shop, P. Lee’s Antiques, was up for sale. Walker has family ties to the city. During that visit, the idea of a museum was born. Walker forged connections with historians and museum professionals around Kansas and beyond, and began making needed repairs and improvements to modernize the building with an eye towards opening in late 2020. Inevitable delays due to the COVID-19 crisis hit but as restrictions lifted, work has continued. A ribbon cutting was held in May, an opening date has yet to be determined. One of the more unique iterations of the building was when it served as a lodge for a fraternity called the Knights of Pythias, one of the oldest in the nation. In 1920, Pawnee Rock’s lodge played host to a major meeting of lodges CITY COUNCIL Mayor –Terry Mead Councilmember – Paul Umble Councilmember – Joyce Link Councilmember – Monte Stambaugh Councilmember – Lakin Dill Councilmember – Caitlin Cross Council members meet at 7:00 p.m. on the first Monday of each month at City Hall, 423 Rock Rd. 620-982-4386
from throughout the area. Here, a snapshot of the event from the May 18, 1920 Great Bend Daily Tribune. So significant was it, the Associated Press covered the event. “THOUSANDS ATTEND PAWNEE ROCK FETE,” the headline read. “All roads in Central and Western Kansas, from Nebraska on the north to Oklahoma on the south, today lead to our neighboring city of Pawnee Rock where the big Knights of Pythias picnic and reunion is being held.” The report went on to compare the gathering to the notable unveiling of the Pawnee Rock monument by the Women’s State Federated Clubs some years ago (1911). It was there, at the monument, that fraternity members were expected to congregate for the
CITY DEPARTMENTS City Clerk – Chris Mead and Yvonne Link 620-982-4386 Fire Chief – Heath Dill 620-639-2381 Maintenance – Jim Oberle 620-982-4386 Medical Care The University of Kansas Health System Great Bend Campus 514 Cleveland St., Great Bend 620-792-8833
initiatory ceremonies. “Sentries will be posted all about the grounds to see that intruders are not permitted to attend or in any way interfere with the work, and the work will be put on by a crack degree team in full form and will be beautiful and impressive.” Fraternal organizations flourished throughout the country during the 1920s, but after television became a widespread source of entertainment, many saw a marked drop in membership. Eventually, the Pawnee Rock Knights of Pythias dissolved, and the building for a short time served as a movie theater, a diner, and most recently as P. Lee’s Antiques. According to a February 19, 2020 report in the Tribune, “Jerry has been working on building a board of directors for the library and museum, and is finding support from friends around the state with ties to Great Bend and Pawnee Rock, he said. “Working on the museum has been an inspirational experience for Jerry, now the oldest member of his family. It has reconnected him with relatives and friends he hasn’t seen in decades. When the museum opens, he will make it available for special events, where he hopes others will have an opportunity for similar experiences.”
UTILITIES AND SERVICES Electricity & Natural Gas Midwest Energy, 1-800-222-3121 U.S. Post Office 501 Centre St., 620-982-4308 Recycling Sunflower Diversified Recycling 5605 10th St., Great Bend 620-793-5800
Animal Control Golden Belt Humane Society 620-792-4297 Trash Service Arrow Trash, Great Bend 620-793-5546 Zip Code 67567
