Sep 21, 2023

📷 Throwback Thursday: Hutch - Then & Now Collection - Vol. 36

Posted Sep 21, 2023 11:00 AM
Elliott Mortuary prior owner - Charles S. Winchester Home - 1219 N. Main  - c. 1925. Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.
Elliott Mortuary prior owner - Charles S. Winchester Home - 1219 N. Main - c. 1925. Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.

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 1200 block of North Main Street on the west side.

Charles Winchester was a very successful businessman and owned the Winchester Packing Co. About 1910, he built a large, lovely home at 1219 N. Main. The first photo shows that home about 1925.

Elliott Mortuary prior owner - Charles S. Winchester Home - 1219 N. Main  - c. 1925. Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.
Elliott Mortuary prior owner - Charles S. Winchester Home - 1219 N. Main - c. 1925. Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.

Charles died in 1929 (age 74) and his widow, Nell, continued to live there. In April of 1935, she sold the home to Jim Elliott and Dale Gard. They converted the home to a modern mortuary. Gard even resided there for a while. The name was Elliott-Gard Funeral Home. The second photo shows that conversion in 1937.

Elliott-Gard Funeral Home - Elliott Mortuary - 1219 N. Main - 1937. Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.
Elliott-Gard Funeral Home - Elliott Mortuary - 1219 N. Main - 1937. Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.

In 1948, Bill Elliott joined the business. The third photo shows the building improvements in 1951.

Elliott - Gard Mortuary - 1219  N. Main  1951. Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.
Elliott - Gard Mortuary - 1219 N. Main 1951. Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.

In 1952, the Elliotts bought out Gard's partnership. In 1953, Don Elliott joined the firm. In 1962, the chapel and covered drive were added, and the name was changed to Elliott Mortuary. The fourth photo shows that building upgrade.

Elliott Mortuary - 1219 N. Main - 1962 (Jim, Willian & Don). Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.
Elliott Mortuary - 1219 N. Main - 1962 (Jim, Willian & Don). Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.

The fifth photo shows Elliott Mortuary today, still at 1219 N. Main. Notice the original house is still visible, although the siding has changed. This exemplifies a longterm family business, now run by Tom Elliott, that has prospered for 88 years.

Elliott Mortuary - 1219 N. Main - Aug. 11, 2023. Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.
Elliott Mortuary - 1219 N. Main - Aug. 11, 2023. Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.

To purchase a print, contact: [email protected].

Throwback Thursday is brought to you by:

Gambino's Pizza
Sleep Shoppe & Furniture Gallery
Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce
STRATACA Kansas Underground Salt Museum

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