FLORENCE YESTERYEARS: 26 years ago
September 16, 1976
A 97-year-old landmark was burned to the ground early the morning of Sept. 11. The historic old Santa Fe Railroad depot was being moved to Florence from Hillsboro for use as a railroad museum by the Florence Historical Society. It was parked on West 5th Street overnight and was to be moved to a new foundation next to the Harvey House the next morning. At approximately 2:30 a.m., the building caught fire, completely destroying it and two trucks of the mover. Several homes on both sides of the street reported windows broken from the intense heat.
A dinner was held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Olin Allison on Sunday honoring Mr. and Mrs. Dick Ireland, Roger and Lauri of Los Angeles, Calif. Other guests were Mr. and Mrs. Lee Ireland and Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Allison, Raquel, Lane, and Jason.
September 9, 1976
The Labor Day Celebration started off with people bustling about putting finishing touches to floats, raising banners, setting up benches, and delivering pies. A larger than usual crowd gathered to watch the Honor Guard from John McKay Legion Post lead off the parade, followed by marching bands, floats, saddle clubs, wagons, horse riders, and every attraction making a bigger and better parade than ever. Afternoon entertainment started with a concert by the 1st Infantry Band of Fort Riley, followed by the Colonial Belles style show, Indian music and dancing by the Mi-Kan-Ni-Mids of Wichita, patriotic vocal duets by Kathleen Ludwig and Marilyn Blanding, kids races, and various demonstrations. Ryan Baseball Park was the scene of the demolition derby with a large crowd attending.
Firemanship training classes were held here Aug. 23-27 for the Florence Volunteer firemen. Glen Boughton, instructor of continuing education for the University of Kansas at Lawrence, presented the classes from 7 till 10 p.m. each evening. Sixteen men attended the school.
