Did You Know This About Geary County History?
By Dr. Ferrell Miller
Geary County Historical Society Board Member
“A Huge Fire In Junction City - January of 1911”
The Peques-Wright Store first opened in Junction City in 1906. In January of 1911, there was a huge fire at that store which was located on Washington Street. Fifty thousand dollars in damage was done to merchandise and the building, which temporarily put them out of business.
Two months later – in March – they were ready to open again. Where a mass of ruins had lain 40 days previous, there now stood a restored building with an unsurpassed stock of goods and attractive young ladies to look after the needs of the patrons.
The Peques-Wright Store was always equipped with the newest in fixtures. Their supplies and equipment were a resource for others across the state who were building or remodeling their own store.
At the time of the fire, it seemed impossible to restore the former building, but when the doors were thrown open to the public after the fire restoration, the visitors were amazed at the work done and the new stock that was added.
The Sixth Field Artillery Orchestra from Fort Riley played during the entire afternoon of the store’s re-opening. The whole store was said to be aglow with desirable merchandise, which was better than in the previous store. The loss sustained by the fire was sure to be quickly forgotten.
“More Than 100 Years Of Motion Pictures In Junction City”
Today’s story comes from an article written by our Programs and Education Director at the Geary County Historical Society, Jennifer Dixon. The article was titled “More Than 100 Years of Moving Pictures in Junction City”. Jennifer wrote: There is a long history of moving pictures in Junction City beginning in 1907 at the Lyric Theater. One of the first of its kind, the theater was owned by Ira Bermant and was located at 603 N. Washington Street. Admission was five cents.
The Aurora Theater was also on North Washington Street and was also established in 1907. It seated 400 people. The Columbia Theater was established in 1917 at 925 N. Washington Street. Unfortunately, the Columbia Theater burned down after World War I. In 1918, J.A. Howe opened The Cozy Theater on N. Washington Street after delays from the influenza epidemic.
In 1928, The Uptown Theatre debuted the silent feature “Four Walls” to a crowd of 800 people. The Uptown later became known as the Dickinson and in 1939 the name was changed again to The Junction Theater.
During the Depression in 1934, The Kaw Theater opened at 907 N. Washington Street. Two of the most popular features were “Gone With The Wind” and “The Wizard of Oz”.
In 1946 the Commonwealth Theaters purchased the old Opera House on Seventh and Jefferson Streets. It was called the Colonial Theater. And… who could forget the Midway-Drive on Grant Avenue as another form of watching a movie while sitting in your car.
Today we have the B&B Gem Theaters on Sixth Street with five theaters in one building. The audience is seated in reclining leather seats, there is a huge screen, surround sound and refreshments, which may include adult beverages.
Many of us find that once we enter the theater and smell the aroma of that freshly popped corn, it is impossible to resist. Then, of course, we must have a soft drink or something to quench our thirst from the popcorn. A movie on the big screen, popcorn and a soft drink really do go together.