Did You Know This About Geary County History?”
By Dr. Ferrell Miller
Geary County Historical Society Board Member
“Take A Drive Around Junction City”
During this pandemic and restrictions on social gathering, it is still possible to have an appreciation of some of the beautiful historic houses in Junction City. “Drive-thru” service at restaurants, pharmacies and grocery pick-up at Dillon’s are some of the businesses we can still make purchases without leaving our vehicles.
My wife and I have self-quarantined since March 15. Exceptions have been made for a quick trip to get groceries, prescriptions or doing business at an ATM. However, we do not get out of the car unless we have on a mask and gloves. Most recently we have even gone to having our groceries delivered.
We have made some short drives around town or even to Wamego to see the tulips. So, a thought occurred that since Junction City has some beautiful historic houses, examples could be shared with our readers, who then could drive around Junction City to see them. In the next several articles in this space, suggestions will be given for just such an activity.
The information for our first example comes from an article published in the “Daily Union” newspaper, which was written by the late Irene Jeffries. She wrote that “records show the house at 623 S. Adams was built in about 1913 or 14 by Dr. C.K. Raber, who was a dentist in Junction City. This house was built in a style which was reminiscent of Frank Lloyd Wright’s architectural designs.
When the Raber’s two nieces came to live with them, they added a guest bedroom and bath to the upstairs northeast corner of the home on Vine and Adams. The Rabers spent only four or five years in that house before deciding to move to Arizona. They deeded the place with its considerable land east of the house to their daughter Cecil and her husband Walter Rockwell. In the mid-twenties, the Rockwells also left Junction City and sold the house to Harry E. Montgomery, who was the publisher of the “Daily Union” newspaper.
It was their home until Mrs. Montgomery, then a widow, sold the house in 1973. Several others owned the house until Richard Pinaire purchased it in 1976. Richard Pinaire is an attorney with the law firm in Junction City.”
More examples of historic houses in Junction City will be in future articles.
“How Junction City Became The County Seat”
W. F. Pride wrote a book titled The History of Fort Riley with a copyright date of 1935. In that book Pride shares information about how Junction City became the county seat.
“In accordance with a petition presented to the board of commissioners asking for a change in the location of the county seat, which was at that time at Ashland, the question was submitted to the people and an election ordered to be held on June 25, 1860. The contesting places were Junction City, Union, Ashland and Riley City.
Ashland was a post office in 1855; discontinued in 1868 and the town was vacated in 1873. It was located south of the river near Manhattan, northwest of what is now Dewey’s Ranch and is what is sometimes locally referred to as the Ashland Bottom. Union was a very small town or township located near the mouth of the Clark’s Creek. There were 287 votes for Junction City, 129 for Union, 3 for Ashland and 3 for Riley City. The first meeting of the county commissioners was held at Junction City July 2, 1860.
The county in which Junction City is located was originally named Davis County for Jefferson Davis. It was established by the pro-slavery legislature of 1855. Riley County got its name directly from Fort Riley. Ogden was named for Major Ogden.
The first post office in Davis County was that established by Robert Wilson, the sutler, at Fort Riley in 1853. The first post office in Junction City was opened in 1858 with L. J. Harris as postmaster. Casper Bundle opened the first hotel in 1859 and in May 1860, work was commenced on the Episcopal Church, which was the first church in town.”