Pawnee Rock

Pawnee Rock Cityof

BARTON COUNTY

GALATIA SUSANK

ODIN

BEAVER

OLMITZ ALBERT HOISINGTON CLAFLIN

GREAT BEND PAWNEE ROCK

ELLINWOOD

Pawnee Rock looking to preserve past

At 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, aft er 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 lift ed, 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 from throughout the area. Here, a snapshot of the event from the May 18, 1920 Great Bend Daily Tribune. So signifi cant 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.”

Th e 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 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 fl ourished throughout the country during the 1920s, but aft er 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 fi nding 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.”

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

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

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