Olmitz

of

BARTON COUNTY

GALATIA SUSANK

ODIN

OLMITZ

ALBERT BEAVER CLAFLIN

HOISINGTON

PAWNEE ROCK GREAT BEND

ELLINWOOD

Olmitz, located in the far western center of Barton County, was laid out in 1885, by people whose descendants came from Austria-Hungary, which today is referred to as the Czech Republic. Referred to then as a “city on a hill,” it enjoyed a solid trade from nearby farms. Located on what was then the Missouri Pacifi c Railroad, it was visited oft en by a reporter from the Hoisington Dispatch.

Olmitz is most widely known for St. Ann’s Catholic Church, the steeple of which can be seen for miles atop the hill where the city is located. St. Ann’s congregation built a parochial school there in 1913. We found mention of it in the May 22, 1913 Hoisington Dispatch.

“Th e mason work of the new parochial school at Olmitz is nearing completion and in a short time we will see it fi nished. Aft er the school is fi nished work will begin immediately on the new Catholic church and aft er those two grand structures are erected those so-called “knockers” who have been busy trying to give Olmitz and the people around it a bad name, will have to “go way back and sit down.”

Once the church was completed, the congregation raised funds to purchase stained glass windows from Europe, and for the 100 year anniversary, they were cleaned, repaired and professionally restored, and continue to provide beauty and inspiration to all who enter St. Ann’s.

From Great Bend, take K-96 west out of town about 17 miles, then turn right at the marker for Olmitz. Th e rest of the drive will take you through rolling countryside.

While today there are but a few buildings left on the west side of Main Street, the town was once home to restaurants, saloons, barber shops, a hotel and a dance hall, and a drug store, operated by Edmund Reimer. Reimer, an immigrant from either Austria or Australia (depending on what newspaper he’s listed in) married a fi rst-generation Olmitz girl. Th ey started a family and a business, and lived in Olmitz for many years before moving to Cimarron.

CITY COUNCIL

Mayor – Curtis Peterson Councilman - Josh Tessendorf Councilwoman - Karla Hagans Councilwoman - Ashley Elsen Council Members meet at 7:00 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month at the Olmitz City Building, 219 Main Street. Council members can be reached at 620-586-3311

CITY DEPARTMENTS

City Clerk — Krisa Schneider Streets — Tom Schneider Treasurer — Krisa Schneider Sewer & Water — Tom Schneider City Attorney — Travis Terns Municipal Judge — Joel Jackson

UTILITIES AND SERVICES Electricity

Western Cooperative Electric 800-456-6720

Natural Gas

Midwest Energy, 620-792-1301

Trash Service

Unruh Brothers Waste LLC Great Bend – 620-792-2257

Medical Care

Clara Barton Hospital 250 W. Ninth, 620-653-2114

Animal Control

Golden Belt Humane Society – 620792-4297

Recycling

Sunflower Diversified Recycling 5605 10th St., Great Bend – 620-793-5800

U.S. Post Office

223 Main St., 620-586-3319

Zip Code

67564