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 100 block of North Halstead on the east side.
In 1908, a group of investors came together to form the Western Straw Products Co. with a capital stock of $100,000. It was born on May, 17, 1909. The first photo shows the original plant in a split view in 1910.
From 1909 to 1913, the company struggled.
In 1913, Emerson Carey took over the plant and named it the Hutchinson Boxboard & Paper Co. Emerson placed his son Charles Carey as plant manager.
In 1919, they added wallboard products to the line and renamed the company Carey Fibre Products. The second photo is a 1920's aerial showing the plant with all the straw bales out front.
The third photo is a 1930 aerial showing how the plant had grown.
In 1931, nine companies came together to form the Central Fibre Products Co. The fourth photo shows the plant during that era in 1957.
The fifth photo shows the plant about 1950 with their signage of Atlas & Bison Wallboard.
In 1959, the company went public and the Packaging Corporation of America bought the plant.
In 1983, one of Packaging Corp's largest customers, Republic Gypsum, purchased the plant.
Then, in 2001, the Sonoco Corporation purchased the Republic Paperboard Group. The sixth photo shows the Sonoco plant during that time frame.
In 2023, Sonoco closed the facility, and dismantled and scrapped the equipment so no competitor could use it. The seventh photo shows the property today at 100 N. Halstead, sitting idle, and now owned by Murdock Properties L.L.C. out of Park City.
To purchase a photo print, contact: sharmon5@cox.net.
Throwback Thursday is brought to you by:
Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce
STRATACA Kansas Underground Salt Museum
Anchor Inn and Anchor Away