Hutch Post, in partnership with Steve Harmon and the Conard-Harmon Collection, is proud to present Throwback Thursday. Enjoy a weekly release from Steve Harmon as he presents the "Hutch - Then & Now Collection."
STEVE HARMON
Hutch Post Contributor
Today's "Throwback Thursday Collection" takes us to the southwest corner of East Sherman and North Walnut.
Since Hutchinson always has its downtown rod run and classic car show, I thought I'd show you the very first downtown car show.
Cars first started showing up in Hutch en masse in 1906.
By 1908, the national Elks club was sponsoring an automotive tour that stopped in Hutch to celebrate the new Elks Club building opening at 2nd and Walnut. The first photo shows the Elks decorated Ford car for the show in front of their new building.
The second photo shows commercial photographer Marion Bailey's photo of the group gathered for the parade at Sherman and Walnut on July 24, 1908, in front of Taylor Motors, the Ford dealership here at the time.
The third photo was taken at the same time by another photographer, Sam Hirst. Note some quality differences.
The fourth photo was taken from the same vantage point today. The only building still standing today is the Sturgeon Glass Co., although the top floor has been removed. At the time, that building was the Hutchinson News and the Bell Telephone Co. offices.
To purchase a photo print, contact: sharmon5@cox.net.
Throwback Thursday is brought to you by:
STRATACA Kansas Underground Salt Museum
Anchor Inn and Anchor Away