Editor’s note: To capture time accurately, language from the past generally is left unchanged. This may result in some antiquated or out-of-use language from time to time. We try to maintain the exact wording when possible, but edits are occasionally made for the sake of brevity or because such wording isn’t acceptable today.

25 years ago: Sept. 13, 2000

The amount that downtown property owners will pay for the recent Fourth Street redevelopment project just got smaller. Monday night, Tonganoxie City Councilmembers agreed to decrease the property owners’ share by nearly $100,000, down to $200,000. The city will fund about $423,600 and the remaining funds will come from a federal grant.

Tonganoxie soon could have a new water source. Monday night, city council members agreed to an option to purchase 65 acres of land near the Kansas River off Leavenworth County Road 25. The offer is contingent on the Kansas Department of Health and Environment granting water rights to the city for two new wells on the land.

Mayor John Franiuk explained that the city currently has only one well which supplies existing residents. But there are 479 proposed lots in 10 subdivisions, which is estimated to impact the community by over 1000 households. “The existing water capacity of the city simply cannot meet this need,” Mayor Franiuk said.

For the first time in five years, Tonganoxie High School’s ACT scores equaled the state average. In the composite ranking, which is an average of the math, science, English and reading scores, the combined average scores of THS students matched the state average of 21.6. This is an improvement from last year, when Tonganoxie’s composite score was 21.2 and the state’s was 21.5.

Tonganoxie’s annual Crop Walk begins at 1:30 p.m. Sunday at VFW Park. This walk is one of 2000, which are taking place around the nation.

50 years ago: Sept. 11, 1975

Herb Robbins was appointed to the Tonganoxie City Council to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of Laurent Stoner.

Tonganoxie’s first football game of the season will be against Basehor.

The Tonganoxie girls volleyball team placed third in the Pioneer League Tournament held in Tonganoxie. The seven league teams played a double round robin schedule allowing each team to compete against all other teams in the league in two games. The Tonganoxie team’s final record was 8-4 finishing third. Osawatomie finished first but Tonganoxie was the only team to defeat Osawatomie.

Over 100 people attended the regular meeting of the Tonganoxie Senior Citizens at the 4-H Building. An enjoyable and varied program was presented by Elaine and the Linwood Rails. Country and western music and requested numbers were played by the group.

An anonymous pledge of $1,000 has been made to the Chief Tonganoxie Bicentennial Memorial Site Committee. The donor wants to remain anonymous and wants the funds to be used for construction of the Chief Tonganoxie Memorial Site. Under the supervision of Site Development Chairman Dave Johnson, a voluntary crew made up of Russ Kimberlin, George Flowers, Steve Crupper, Kerry Putthoff along with Dick Fatherley and son Douglas poured the concrete footings on which picnic tables and the monument honoring Chief Tonganoxie will be placed.

Come to the “Bo” Himpel Lumber and Building Center which is your complete home center. It has everything for the builder or the do-it-yourselfer.

About 140 elderly persons will be fed a noon meal daily at two locations in Leavenworth and one in Tonganoxie when the Area Agency on Aging begins its nutrition program for the elderly in November or December. The county commission voted $15,000 to the project as did the City of Leavenworth. Wyandotte County gave $20,000 to the project.

75 years ago: Sept. 14, 1950

This is a new one-the Kansas State Prison received first and second place ribbons for their entry of a 4 year-old cow and a five year-old cow at the Leavenworth County Fair!

The sunflower crop is blooming thick. One of the biggest since last year.

The new mechanical corn picker has a lot of features, including the elimination of weeds. However, a group of farmers out at the fair deemed it one of the most dangerous machines on the farm. These fellows say it can grab an arm in no time if you don’t watch out. Tractors are getting built up to get speed and if you aren’t careful on those end of the row turns, the tractor can flip right on a man.

Keep an eye out as you drive the highway. School has started and many children have to cross the major thoroughfare just to get to their classrooms.

Wayne Finch, Happy Helpers 4 H reporter shares the ribbon results from the fair. All together the club won 105 red, white or blue ribbons. The booth at the County fair won first prize, so they will be able to go on to Topeka.  Several members, including Jimmie Grinter and Larry Deaton gave reports on Junior Leadership Camp and Beef Day.

General Omar Bradley says, “Modern war visits destruction on the victor and vanquished alike. Our only assurance of surviving World War III is to halt it before it starts.” 

100 years ago: Sept. 3, 1925

The First National Bank of Tonganoxie was granted a charter by the Comptroller of the Currency at Washington, D.C., Monday, according to a telegram received from National Capital Tuesday, and will be received here this week, it is believed. The new banking institution is capitalized at $25,000 with a surplus of $2,500, making in all $27,000. Uncle Sam goes at it differently than the state does when granting a bank charter. The state application is largely a matter of formality, and the charter is granted without serious investigation as to the financial standing of its organizers. Uncle Sam sends an inspector to look over the town, its commercial enterprises and the country surrounding it, but more particularly does he look over the proposed incorporaters and requires financial statements from them. This was done in Tonganoxie several weeks ago, and the report sent in was a favorable one. The organization of The First National Bank will give Tonganoxie two strong financial banking institutions, and will bring back a lot of money that has been going to outside banks for deposit. Tonganoxie should have business enough for two banking institutions whose combined assets should aggregate well beyond three quarters million.

The swimming pool has been in use for a week and is proving quite an attraction for old and young. Every afternoon and evening the pool is the center of attraction for those who want to be cool and comfortable, and feel refreshed these hot days. The swimming pool company is only charging ten cents for children and fifteen cents for others, until the pool has more water in it. The pool is being filled as fast as the city can spare the water, and this hot weather the consumption of water is very high and the well is being pumped to its capacity. About 10.000 gallons is being added to the pool each day.

125 years ago: Sept. 13, 1900

William Randall has opened his broom factory again. He has completed his broom corn harvest and will soon begin working up his new crop. 

The Reading Circle will meet with Mrs. McNaughton tomorrow afternoon at 2:30 o’clock, and all members, both old and new, are urgently requested to be present. 

The township and city are going to build a stone arch culvert in the west part of Tonganoxie next to Frank Fairchild’s place. Numerous washouts have occurred at that place, and it is intended a substantial crossing shall be made there. 

The ball in the new Odd Fellows Hall had a large attendance last Thursday evening, and many tripped the “light fantastic.” Others who eschew the mazy dance were merely spectators, but partook freely of the delicious refreshments provided. The affair netted a profit of over $66 and this will be used in purchasing furnishings for the new lodge room.  Dedication ceremonies for the new hall will not be held for some time yet, but the society will move after its next lodge meeting.  The Odd Fellows is the largest secret society in town, now numbering about 100 members and is constantly increasing. The newly organized A.O.U.W. will hold its meetings in the new hall, a contract to that effect being about completed. 

The public school opens next Monday morning, at nine o’clock, and will continue in session eight months in accordance with the decision of the annual school meeting in June. There is no change in the teachers as originally selected. Those who will instruct are Elmer Jones principal, of Stanwood, Miss May Hunt, of Edwardsville, Miss Emma Eichenberger, of Holton, and Misses Lena Gamble and Nina Lacy, of Tonganoxie. 

To relieve the congested condition of the primary department, which is anticipated, pupils will attend that department half a day each. The school board requests that the A and B classes of Miss Lacy’s room will come for the morning session, the C and beginners for the afternoon session.