In this newsletter: And more!! |
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Latest from our world |
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We returned in late September from another journey across northern Kansas, parts of Colorado, and our annual visit to Idlewild, NM, just outside Eagle Nest. Of course, we had to get a selfie at the world's largest ball of twine in Cawker City, Kansas. Started in 1953 by Frank Stoeber, it only took four years to reach 5,000 pounds and eight feet in height. Stoeber gave the attraction to the city of Cawker in 1961, and it still draws tourists today.
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We knew about the ball of twine and have even been there before, but only about 90 miles away we found out that Morrowville, Kansas is home to its own unique attraction - The world's first Bull Dozer. |
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Though this is a replica, it accurately represents the original model designed and patented by J. Earl McLeod and Jim Cummings in 1925. It is an oak blade crudely mounted to a Fordson tractor. You can see it at Cummings Park in Morrowville.
It was an excellent trip for our dedicated website to the Land of Ahh's, and Kathy is staying busy going through the thousands of photos we took and preparing stories about the towns we visited.
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It was one of our more challenging trips though, as we had to say farewell to our furry friend Presley. That's part of the deal when rescuing older dogs, you don't get to enjoy them as long as others, but they still leave a pretty big impact on our lives. "Pressy" will be sorely missed by her companion Joey.
That's the third furry friend we've said goodbye to since 2021, so after settling in back home from our journey, we made the decision that Joey's next companion will be a puppy, one that we can raise without previous baggage, just our own.
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Meet our new travel companion, Jaxon, a three-month-old Jacktzu (Jack Russell/Shih Tzu Mix). We call him Jax or Jaxi for short. I have another less proper name for him that I'll keep to myself, but let's say we were younger and had more energy the last time we had a puppy. Enjoy this month's newsletter while I re-tie my shoe for the fourth time today.
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From Legends' General Store |
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From our own designs to others we've collected in our travels, we have thousands of Postcards to choose from, and all ship free anywhere in the United States. Automatic 20% discount for purchases of 5 or more cards. Then take another 20% off when you use coupon code NEWS20! |
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Here are some of the recent additions since our last newsletter |
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Stagecoach Brawl - (Submitted by Daniel R. Seligman) Competition was fierce between Stagecoach companies. The Marysville-to-Sacramento stagecoach run on November 14, 1858, is but one example.
The Impact of Canals on the Development of 19th-Century America - (Submitted by Jackie Edwards) As well as supporting commercial transportation, canals in the US improved the quality of land, encouraged migration, and even enabled the spread of ideas.
The latest on Legends of Kansas |
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Bridgeport, Kansas – Extinct in Saline County - (Legends of Kansas) The first known settler in the area was D.F. Hopkins, who came from Iowa in 1866 and eventually claimed 360 acres.
Burr Oak, Kansas – (Legends of Kansas) Established in 1870, by the early 1880s, Burr Oak was the largest and most prosperous town in Jewell County.
Lovewell Reservoir & State Park – (Legends of Kansas) Lovewell State Park was established in 1967. The 1,160-acre park features utility camping, cabins, a beach, and access to Lovewell Reservoir. It is excellent for water sports, angling, archery, hunting, disc golf, and wildlife watching.
One-Room, County, & Historic Schools Of Lincoln County - (Legends of Kansas) The first thought of Lincoln County, Kansas, pioneers was for their children’s education. In 1870, a young man named Marion Ivy taught the first school in a dugout in Martin Hendrickson’s dooryard.
One-Room, Country, & Historic Schools of Shawnee County, Kansas - (Legends of Kansas) Early history of education and schools in Shawnee County, Kansas." |
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From Legends' General Store |
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From the wild and woolly mining camps to the rampages of the Civil War to the many cowboys riding on the range, those frontier folks often used terms and phrases that are no longer used in everyday language today. Yet other words and sayings were often specific to certain regions and never used across the states. These terms, as in the past, are still sometimes heard in specific areas, but are “foreign” to the rest of us.
From the pages of period newspapers, books, and century old dictionaries comes the slang, lingo, and phrases of the American Frontier. Even if you're not looking for a definition, you'll get a peek into the charm and character of a historic era.
In addition to the hundreds of words and phrases, readers will also enjoy more than 150 vintage images.
132 pages, Black and White on White Paper, Signed by the Author if ordered here through our General Store.
Published by Legends Of America |
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Born October 27, 1858, in New York City, Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th President of the United States, was also a military officer, author, naturalist, cowboy, and conservationist. He served as president from 1901 to 1909.
Read more about Rough Riding Theodore Roosevelt. |
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Haunted St. James Hotel Looking for New Owner |
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Some sad news from our recent annual journey to New Mexico. The historic St. James Hotel in Cimarron closed its doors on September 16. Built in 1872 by Henry Lambert, it was initially called Lambert’s Inn. Its saloon, restaurant, and 43 rooms witnessed at least 26 murders during Cimarron’s wilder days. Clay Allison, Black Jack Ketchum, and Buffalo Bill Cody have all left their mark on the St. James, as attested by the numerous bullet holes in the main dining room ceiling.
The current owners, who obtained the property in 2009 and made many improvements, say it is time to pass this iconic piece of history on to its next caretakers. They are interviewing interested buyers committed to preserving its unique legacy. |
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From Legends' Photo Print Shop |
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From Ancient Cities to Native American Art, we have hundreds of vintage photos available for prints ranging small to large at Legends' Photo Print Shop. Decorate your home, or give that special gift, and save 20% off when using coupon code NEWS20. |
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Peshtigo Firestorm of 1871 |
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While history recorded the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 as one of the worst in American history, the headlines overshadowed a greater tragedy due to the slow spread of the news.
October 8, 1871, the same day as the Chicago fire, between 1,200 and 2,500 Americans lost their lives, and 1.2 million acres of land were burned in the Upper Midwest in what is known as the Peshtigo Firestorm of 1871, the deadliest in the United States recorded history. |
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Death Valley Ghost Towns & Mines |
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Since the 1848 discovery of gold in California, Death Valley has experienced over 140 years of boom and bust mining, creating several ghost towns in the area. Little did those many miners passing through the area in 1849 know that there were vast deposits of gold, silver, copper, and borax just waiting to be taken out of the mountains and valley floor. |
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Popular Stories on Facebook |
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In case you missed it, here are some of the articles that have been popular on our Facebook Fan Pages recently. |
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The Shawnee tribe's origins are unclear, but by 1600, they lived in the Ohio River Valley in the present-day states of Ohio, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Indiana. They were estimated to have numbered about 10,000.
[Shawnee Indians in Oklahoma, 1910.] |
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Settled in the early 1800s, the Caledonia Historic District encompasses 33 buildings in the business district and surrounding residential sections. The town conveys an old-fashioned country dignity and a sense of rural prosperity and civility uncommon among most Ozarks landscapes.
This fall, adventure to Caledonia, Missouri – Stepping Back in Time
[Photo: Main Street buildings in Caledonia, Missouri by Dave Alexander.] |
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Incorporated September 22, 1870, Baldwin City is one of the oldest settlements in Kansas. It got its start during the opening days of Kansas Territory when it was little more than a stop on the Santa Fe Trail.
[photo: Baldwin City, Kansas 1911. Touch of color by LOA.] |
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All newsletter readers can enjoy 20% savings. Just use coupon code News20 in 'cart view' at our General Store, or during checkout on our Photo Print Shop. |
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Have a comment about something in this newsletter or any of our stories? Reply to this email or send them to travel@legendsofamerica.com. |
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