Did You Know This About Geary County History?By Dr. Ferrell Miller	Geary County Historical Society Board Member“Walter Starcke – Jewelry Store Owner and More”Walter Starcke, who owned a jewelry store at 705 North Washington Street in Junction City.&nbsp; (MBros. Rental is now located at that address.) It was reported in 1910 that the store was a notable example of what could be accomplished by a thorough knowledge of a business and by using honorable business methods.&nbsp;&nbsp;Walter Starcke’s store was the oldest jewelry store in Junction City at that time, having been established in 1870 by Andrew Vogler, a German immigrant.&nbsp; Andrew Vogler was Walter Starcke’s uncle.&nbsp;Walter came to Junction City in 1885 and began work in the jewelry business with his uncle as apprentice when Walter was only 13 years old. As an adult and under Walter’s management, there was a large and assorted stock in the store that included a line of clocks, watches, china, diamonds and other precious stones.&nbsp; A complete line of Fort Riley souvenirs was also carried, which included sterling silver spoons, cups and books. Prices were moderate, service was prompt and courteous and skilled and experienced workmen carried out repairs.&nbsp;&nbsp;Walter Starcke was also an optometrist.&nbsp; So, he not only sold jewelry, but also had a completely equipped department for examining eyes and fitting glasses for his customer.&nbsp; For 43 years, Walter was assigned the task of tending to the tower clock at the Opera House. He was originally paid $15.00 per year until 1927, when he received an increase to $52.00 per year.&nbsp;Walter and his wife, Eunice, lived at 306 W. Fifth Street in Junction City.&nbsp; The house is currently decorated with vintage household goods and furniture. The Starcke house is now owned by our Historical Society. Please contact our staff at the Museum by calling 238-1666 for an appointment to visit this historic house.&nbsp;&nbsp;“The Mystery of the Wooden Staircase In The Old High School”Today’s story comes from an article published in the local newspaper written by Gaylynn Childs, retired Geary County Historical Society Executive Director.&nbsp; The title of the article was: “Date When Wooden Staircase Removed A Mystery”.&nbsp;Gaylynn wrote that “In the city’s high school which was built in 1903 (and is now our Museum at the corner of Sixth and Adams Streets in Junction City) there was an elegant double staircase inside the main entrance.&nbsp; These wooden stairs funneled students to and from an open hall on the second floor and all the way down to the restrooms in the basement. Carved and polished banisters and railings bordered the double sets of open stairs and landings form the second floor to the main level.&nbsp; Sometime after the last high school class graduated in 1929, this staircase was removed and replaced with the present cement stairwell, which runs through what was originally classroom area in the building’s north end. Apparently, this change coincided with the outlawing of wooden stairs in public schools.&nbsp;&nbsp;During the demolition, which took place to facilitate the restroom construction, the workers discovered a two by four stud back under the stairway which bore an inscription scrawled in 1929 by Bushboom Brothers Contractors.&nbsp; The words in the inscription were: “Work done by Huff Brothers Carpenters.” However, there was still no clear evidence of when the staircase had been removed.&nbsp;People who may have remembered the staircase from having gone to school or worked there were contacted.&nbsp; Bob and Betty Waters were two who attended school there and remembered the staircase. Doris Paulson, who worked as the school district secretary and graduated from the high school in 1929, remembered it and… there were many others.&nbsp; However, no one seems to remember when it was removed.&nbsp;&nbsp;So… the mystery remains.&nbsp; If you have any recollection about this staircase and can solve our mystery, please contact the staff at 238-1666.

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