By JUDD WEIL
Hutch Post
Hutchinson, Kan. – For those who enjoy looking at historic photographs of Hutchinson and Reno County, take a walk through the Reno County Courthouse to see 22 photographs printed from the Conard – Harmon Collection, owned by local residents Steve Harmon and Steve Conard.
The final 24” x 36” prints are displayed in various locations on the first, third and fourth floors of the courthouse.
Two years ago, Reno County District Judge Trish Rose went to the Reno County Administration Department and asked if photographs could be made to be displayed inside the courthouse to feature the history of Hutchinson and Reno County.
A committee was created with Judge Trish Rose, Reno County Commissioner Ron Sellers, Maintenance Director Harlen Depew, Maintenance/Purchasing Technician Matt Elliott, Retired Youth Services Director Bill Hermes, Communications Specialist Laurie Moody, and later Communications Specialist Sandra Milburn.
They chose 22 photographs from about 75 offered by Steve Harmon.
The photographs were printed by the Reno County Information Technology Department and then framed by Stephanie Rhorer at Frameography, located at 21 N. Main St.
Hutchinson Art Center Lifetime Board Member Don Fullmer helped county staff identify the best placement of the photographs in the courthouse.
Some of the photographs include:
The oldest photo of Hutchinson’s Main Street in 1874.
The first Reno County Courthouse and Jail in 1910, at Avenue B and Main Street.
A portrait of Hutchinson founder C.C. Hutchinson.
The Excelsior Auto Cycle business in 1912.
Hutchinson’s Interurban #58 electric trolley car from 1915.
A photo from 1893 shows the W.L. Little Horse Rig used by the Hutchinson Fire Department, and a photo from First Avenue and Main Street looking north shows the Reno House Hotel during a flood in 1903.
Other unique images include a photo of a horse on top of the Wiley Building in 1941, and photographs from Hutchinson’s past Pow Wow celebrations.
A few photographs are from the Kansas State Fair including Evil Knievel performing a motorcycle jump over Kenworth trucks in 1971, the fair’s automobile entrance in 1920, and horse racing in 1935 at the grandstand.
The Reno County Courthouse is located at 206 W. First Avenue and is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. excluding holidays.
Reno County’s YouTube channel features a video of Judge Trish Rose talking about the photographs.
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