Did You Know This About Geary County History?By Dr. Ferrell Miller	Geary County Historical Society Board Member"Recollections of An Early Geary County Settler"Leona Garrison, long-time volunteer in the Research Center at the Geary County Museum, shared an article that was written in the March 8, 1934 “Junction City Republic” newspaper.&nbsp; The article was taken from words written by W.H. Mackey about some of the recollections of an early settler, who was identified in the article only as Mrs. McFarland. This copy is printed as it was written.&nbsp;&nbsp;Mrs. McFarland stated that “Our family located in Junction City either in 1861 or 1862.&nbsp; Not to exceed a dozen houses graced the town. The only substantial building in the town was the Henry Ganz store, a two-story stone building located on the southeast corner of what is now the Bartell House Block.&nbsp; This building was well built, heavy doors, windows heavily shuttered, all this to withstand Indian attacks. Father and a man named Woodward built two small frame houses west of where T.B. Kennedy now lives. Father’s was on the ground where Miss Wingfield now lives and Woodward built on lots just east.&nbsp; The balance of the buildings were scattered promiscuously.&nbsp;The inhabitants chief worry was wild Indians attacking them.&nbsp; At times a hunting party would go out in the vicinity of Solomon City and return with a load of buffalo meat.&nbsp; Two bands of friendly Indians came in from the southeast passing on west on a buffalo hunt. Their number was estimated from three to five thousand – not a very close estimate, I admit, but they were all day passing and their route was close to our house.&nbsp; There was a house where the Ladies Reading Club now stands. The Indians route was between that house and our house. They were all day in passing. It was a well know custom that Indians did not travel at night unless something extraordinary is on.&nbsp;&nbsp;Two or three weeks later the inhabitants were aroused by a crier at night that the wild Indians would attack us.&nbsp; Arrangements had been perfected to rendezvous at the Henry Ganz store where guns and ammunition were stored. Father and mother were partly dressed and carried the rest of their clothes.&nbsp; Father took me in his arms and mother with sister Ellen in her arms rushed to the Ganz store. All the inhabitants women and children were housed.&nbsp;It was the most hideous night I have ever heard.&nbsp; Indians’ war hoop, tom-toms beating and ponies squealing.&nbsp; We expected to be into a band of Cheyennes, their enemies, whom they whipped and scalped and coming back for a war dance, went down east of town on the Smoky Hill River and were there for about two weeks.&nbsp; All this hulabloo at nine or ten o’clock at night under those conditions was never to be forgotten. In those days all the east and west traffic passed by the McFarland residence west of the city. The Indians were at McFarland’s when they began celebrating.”&nbsp; - W.H. Mackey“A Brief Timeline of Junction City High School Buildings”Above ground structure for the new Junction City High School can now be seen at the building’s site west of town on K-18.&nbsp; There have been several building sites for Junction City High School in the past. We thought our readers would be interested in the historical timeline of those buildings.The original Junction City High School was opened in 1873.&nbsp; It was called the McKinley building, which was located at West Ninth and Madison Streets and no longer stands. The building was used as the town’s first high school for 39 years until 1904 until enrollment became too large.&nbsp;&nbsp;In 1918, a building was constructed to house a junior high school.&nbsp; That building was located at West Ninth and Adams Streets. This information is significant to this timeline and what was to happen at that site in 1929.&nbsp; The Karnes Building currently is at that location and now houses the Boys and Girls Club; the Seventh and Eighth Grade Magnet Program; Parents As Teachers and Innovation Programs for USD 475.&nbsp;A new high school was built at Sixth and Adams, which is now the Geary County Historical Society’s Museum.&nbsp; The building was used for 25 years until the student population grew again and a new high school was once again built in 1929.&nbsp;An addition was added to the junior high school on Ninth Street and both junior and senior high school students attended at that site until 1958 during a 29 year period of time. The old building on Ninth Street had been designed for 900 students and there were 1,300 enrolled.For the fourth time in 85 years, a new high school was built.&nbsp; The reason given was due to overcrowded classrooms. The new school was located on Eisenhower Street, where the current Junction City High School is and it included grades 9 through 12.&nbsp;&nbsp;And… 60 plus years later, our community is preparing a “New JCHS”.&nbsp; Planning, designing and construction are currently being worked on by many people to create a building to meet the needs of students in the 21st century with a goal of opening in 2021.

Our Past is Present