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 Kansas State Fairgrounds again.
After Evel Knievel's historic jump in last week's article, I wanted to focus on other great grandstand events over the fair's long history.
In 1908, the Strobel Airship moored at the fair to give twice-a-day rides. As seen in the first two photos, it was 60-feet long, 18 feet in diameter, 7500 pounds of hydrogen gas, had 500 pounds of lifting capacity, a 4-cycle, 4-cylinder engine with 15 H.P., 570 yards of Japanese silk, and weighed 82 pounds.
The third photo shows the winners of the first motorcycle races ever held in the state in 1910.
M.L. Wilson of Wichita, second place, Harley-Davidson single. Paul Warner of Ellsworth, third place, Indian Twin. Ray Weishaar of Wichita, first place, Indian single and Ferd Selle, Great Bend, fourth place, Thor Twin.
The fourth photo shows Delbert Ging in open wheel auto racing in 1927.
In the early part of the century, the fair had horse racing called "The Kansas Derby." The fifth photo shows a horse racing event in 1935.
The sixth photo shows some of the first televised auto racing in the state by local KTVH-TV station about 1960.
To purchase a photo print, contact: [email protected].
Throwback Thursday is brought to you by:
Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce
STRATACA Kansas Underground Salt Museum