A Brief Look at Abilene's Historic Buildings: Abilene's First School

The Jeffcoat Photography Studio Museum recently featured the exhibit City on the Plains: A Look at Abilene Architecture. The following is a brief look at Abilene's First School. (Photograph courtesy of the Jeffcoat Photography Studio Museum.)

The first schoolhouse in Abilene was constructed in 1868 by Mathais Nicolay.  Nicolay was an 1866 settler of Abilene, a bridge builder, and carpenter.  The building was originally located at the corner of Southwest Second and Mulberry streets and became a residence in later years.  In 1969, the building was moved and restored, and today stands on the eastern edge of Abilene's city limits.

Upcoming Event: Kansas Statehood Ball Scheduled for January 28, 2012

The Dickinson County Historical Society will celebrate the 151st birthday of the state of Kansas at the 17th annual Kansas Statehood Ball on Saturday, January 28 at Sterl Hall in Eisenhower Park from 7 pm to 10 pm.

This event will be for the whole family, and the public is invited to come in period clothing (Victorian era clothing is not mandatory). The cost of the dance will be $5.00 per adult, $3.00 for members of the Dickinson County Historical Society, and $2.00 for children (3 to 12 years of age). Mr. Robert Thomas from Fort Scott will be the preceptor (or dance instructor and social director) for the evening. He and his wife Anita will demonstrate the 1860 period dances.

The evening will begin with the traditional Grand March followed by a waltz. Mr. Thomas will also discuss 1860 ballroom etiquette. Everyone can join in and participate in each of the dances. Other dances that will be performed will include the Virginia Reel, the Jenny Lind Polka, and the flirtatious “Hat Dance."

Music will be provided by the Kansas Brigade Band and assisted by Peggy Meuli on the piano. This band is comprised of a number of musicians from the local area. Originally organized by the late Fred Schmidt, the Kansas Brigade Band has performed for nearly twenty years for Civil War events around the state of Kansas. Even if you are not much of a dancer, the 1860 period music is reason enough to attend.

The Kansas Statehood Ball is an educational program provided by the Dickinson County Historical Society. Refreshments will be provided throughout the evening. For more information on the Kansas Statehood Ball or about joining the Dickinson County Historical Society, please call 785-263-2681 or visit our website at www.heritagecenterdk.com.

A Brief Look at Abilene's Historic Buildings: the Duckwall Bros. Racket Store

The Jeffcoat Photography Studio Museum recently featured the exhibit City on the Plains: A Look at Abilene Architecture. The following is a brief look at Abilene's Duckwall Bros. Racket Store. (Photograph courtesy of the Jeffcoat Photography Studio Museum.)

This particular photo was taken in 1912 and features Santa Claus making his debut outside the Duckwall Bros. Racket Store.

On May 10, 1901, a small general store was opened on the west side of Broadway Street.  Just a few short years later, Duckwall Bros. Racket Store moved to their new location across the street (where the Abilene Reflector-Chronicle office is located today).  Also known as a five and dime store, this Duckwall Bros. store had a long history in Abilene.  In some of Bill Jeffcoat's writings from the 1950s, he mentions that downtown Abilene was a bustling place to visit on Saturday nights.  The stores would be packed with customers buying products and getting a bite to eat at a lunch counter, all while children ran around the aisles, often unattended.  Of course, while this particular Duckwall store is no longer in operation, the company has maintained a presence not only in Abilene, but in twenty-three states.  Known as ALCO Stores, the company has over two hundred store locations.

A Brief Look at Abilene's Historic Buildings: a former Brethren in Christ Church

The Jeffcoat Photography Studio Museum recently featured the exhibit City on the Plains: A Look at Abilene Architecture. The following is a brief look at Abilene's former Brethren in Christ Church. (Photograph courtesy of the Jeffcoat Photography Studio Museum.)

This church no longer stands in Abilene, but was located on the corner of Buckeye and Northeast Seventh streets.  The Eisenhower family were members of the church’s congregation, and Dwight attended the church’s Sunday School as a young boy.  The Brethren in Christ Church has had a long history in Abilene and the surrounding Dickinson County area.  Known as River Brethren at the time, many of Dickinson County's early settlers and town builders were members of this denomination.

A Brief Look at Abilene's Historic Buildings: the Lyric Theater

The Jeffcoat Photography Studio Museum recently featured the exhibit City on the Plains: A Look at Abilene Architecture. The following is a brief look at the Lyric Theater. (Photograph courtesy of the Jeffcoat Photography Studio Museum.)

The Lyric Theater was a small, one screen movie theater located at the corner of Spruce and Northwest Fourth streets.  The movie that was showing at the Lyric Theater when this photograph was taken was Oh, for a Man!, which was released in 1930.  According to a few of the museum's visitors, in addition to showing movies inside, the Lyric would feature screenings on their roof during pleasant weather.