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Wickedest City in the West ...
Follow the famous Chisholm Trail into Harvey County and discover how from 1871 to 1873
Newton came to be known as "bloody and lawless-the wickedest city in the west." In
1872 the western terminal for the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway and the railhead for
the Chisholm Trail were established here. Newton's early days are filled with tales rivaled
only by Dodge City.
The coming of the railroad brought with it a horde of gunslingers, gamblers, "soiled
doves," cowboys and railroad crews of every kind. By the end of 1872, twelve murders were
documented although there was evidence of twice that many and uncounted gunshot accidents were
common.
Western hospitality and rugged pioneer spirit live on in Newton's festivals, historic
buildings, museums and outstanding antique stores. Groups can enjoy an authentic camp style
event, complete with a meal and entertainment through Country Boys Carriage and Prairie
Adventures.
Turning to Rails ...
Heart warming memories of the past and future dreams are alive in the city of Newton. These
memories and the people who have preserved them for future generations are best represented by
five buildings in downtown Newton listed on the State and National Register of Historic
Places. Each is unique and has contributed to the memories of Newton that make the community a
special place to visit or live.
On February 22, the Kansas Historic Sites Board of Review approved the nomination of the
Newton Main Street Historic District. The Main Street district is currently listed on the
State Historic Register and will soon be listed on the National Historic Register. The
district run down Main from 2nd Street to 8th Street.
The designation of being a historic district not only will help protect the contributing
buildings to preserve their historical and architectural history; it will also bring the
potential for financial help through State and FederalTax Credits.
The Newton Station modeled after Shakespeare's house on Stratford-on-Avon was
constructed for $350,000 in 1929-30, during the depression. This was the fourth depot in
Newton on the AT&SF Railway. In 1883 Fred Harvey located his Harvey House Restaurant in
the second Newton depot and it became famous for the waitresses known as "The Harvey
Girls." In 1956 the boom era of the Newton Station slowed as more people began to
travel by air. Today the Newton Station not only houses the ticket office, waiting room and
baggage room, it serves as a thriving location for several professional offices.
Across the street from the Newton Station stands the historic Railroad Savings and Loan
building now known as 500 Main Place. The original Savings and Loan Association
consisted of railroad men who desired a home financing agency and grew to become one
of the largest financial institutions in Kansas.
Revitalization of this beautiful building was completed by Ron Harder, a local developer
in the mid 1980's. The building is a fine example of American Renaissance architecture
and is built of limestone, granite, marble and brass. The entrance hall called the "great
hall" displays 20-foot ceilings, tall arched windows, marble floors, decorative egg and
dart plaster moldings and beautifully finished birch woodwork.
And where the Mennonite Heritage lives on today ...
The Harvey County area boasts one of the largest Mennonite populations in the country.
While bonnets, beards and buggies have been forsaken for a more modern lifestyle, the
Mennonites today, like their ancestors before them, are warmhearted, courteous and friendly,
more liberal than their Amish cousins and well-known for their hospitality and good cooking.
The Mennonites left Russia for fear of religious persecution in the 1870's.
Today the Mennonite influence is clearly visible. Harvey County is home to nearly two
dozen Mennonite Churches, two colleges, a nationally recognized mental health center, the
Mennonite Church USA national headquarters and Mennonite Press. Each were founded and are
supported by Mennonites.
The Old Mill Plaza, as it is known today, was originally built by Monarch Steam
Mills in 1879. Bernhard Warkentin, a young Russian immigrant who was living near Newton in
Halstead, purchased it in 1886. He needed the mill to handle the "Turkey Red" hard
winter wheat which he had encourage the immigrants from Russia to bring. It was this new
high-yielding wheat variety that gave Kansas its enormous productivity and recognition as
the "Breadbasket of the World." Lloyd Smith now owns the Old Mill and has restored the
building to its original style and design. It houses many local businesses including
the "Spartan" restaurant.
The Warkentin House (211 E. 1st) is a 16-room Victorian house museum.
Bernhard Warkentin, who played a prominent role in helping 5,000 other Mennonites settle in
Kansas between 1874 and 1884, completed this elegant home in 1887. Bernhard Warkentin
encouraged the settlers to bring the "Turkey Red" hard winter wheat to which
Warkentin had discovered was so well suited to the Kansas Plains. The Warkentins enjoyed
entertaining in their elegant home. The large oak dining table with its leaves and seating
for 20 can still be seen in the home along with 80 - 90% of the original household
furnishings.
The Harvey County Historical Society Library and Museum (203 N. Main) holds
historical records such as Civil War discharges and pensions, births, marriages, and other
courthouse records. A Mexican Heritage room honors the contributions of Newton's
Mexican-Americans. Other exhibits include musical instruments, a large collection of Santa Fe
Railway artifacts, old fire equipment and a collection of Civil War and WWII artifacts. On the
grounds is the Kellas School, an authentic one-room schoolhouse which can be visited or used
for a field trip school lesson.
Information provided by:
Newton Convention & Visitors Bureau
500 N. Main, Suite. 101, Newton, KS 67114
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 am-5 pm (except major holidays)
Phone: 316-283-2560 or 1-800-868-2560
Fax: 316-283-8732
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