Did You Know This About Geary County History?”
By Dr. Ferrell Miller
Geary County Historical Society Board Member
“JCHS Yearbook Tells The Story Of Segregation/Integration In Junction City” Part II
This is the second article about segregation and integration related to the Junction City High School Yearbook, the Pow Wow, during the 1920’s and ‘40’s. The complete article was originally published in 2000 in the “Junction City Union” newspaper and written by Gaylynn Childs. Gaylynn is the retired Executive Director of the Geary County Historical.
“It is useful to select one example from the beginning of the period in order to show the difficulties faced by African-Americans in the 1920’s. Lois Grimes, Class of 1924, moved to Junction City in 1912 so Lois and her sister, Francis, could attend racially integrated schools.
Lois was the only black student among the 68 graduates in 1924. She was one of only 17 to complete the college preparatory curriculum. Beside her picture appeared the words, “Lois’ industrious spirit will carry her far along the highway of success whether it be long or short, easy or hard.”
It turned out to be both long and hard. Although Lois’ portrait appeared in the middle of her classmates, she recalls that she had to walk at the end of the line at the commencement ceremony.
By 1930, the Pow Wow reflected a greater ethnic diversity in Junction City High School. The Ninth Cavalry had returned from the Philippines a few years before, bringing Filipino and half-Filipino families with them. Among the pictures on the first page of the senior section were those of Lawrence Swisher; who was black and Clara Cervera, who was a Filipina.
“Houses of Interest In 1934”
Some of the houses and their residents located in Junction City in 1934 are as interesting as the people who lived in them. The house at the corner of Ninth and Adams Streets was owned by Mr. M.H. Miller, who was the owner of the grocery store at 305 West Ninth Street.
Will Dixon’s home was at the corner of Jefferson and Third Streets. This house was built at the end of the Civil War by Major O. J. Hopkins, brother-in-law of L.W. Sergant. The lumber used for the home was brought from Leavenworth, Kansas.
Colonel John B. Anderson, uncle of John A. Anderson, the congressman from Kansas who built the Presbyterian Church, lived in the house next to the church. He built an addition to the south side of the house in the form of a billiard room. It was later occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Josiah McClure, prominent early day residents of Junction City.
The first stone house was built by Dr. Luther Hall. It was located on the south side of Sixth Street at the corner of Sixth and Jefferson Streets.
The house of Nellie I. Baker at 318 North Jefferson Street was formerly owned by A.F. and Dick Clark. It was erected by Joe Soutters, builder of early stone houses. It was later occupied by Mrs. Mary Clark, a mother of five sons, whose husband left the family to fight in the Civil War. Widow Mary, as she was later known, owned and operated one of the first ferries used to transport people and animals across the Republican River to and from Junction City to Fort Riley. The first Catholic Church services of Junction City were held in that same house where the Clark’s lived.
These are a few of the residences that had seen the growth and development of Junction City. Our readers are encouraged to drive around town and see some of the beautiful older houses in our city.