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 northeast corner of East Second Avenue and North Walnut.
The early Reno County Homesteaders had few options for jobs in 1873. The wholesale slaughter of what is estimated at four million bison near extinction caused many to collect the bones by the wagonload for money just to keep from starving.
These bones were used by eastern manufacturers for fertilizer and shirt buttons, and piled at the location of today's topic.
Fred Harvey worked with the A.T.& S.F. Railway to build a first-class hotel with his restaurant in it. That hotel, designed by Louis Curtiss of K.C., cost $250,000 to build — the most expensive hotel in the state at that time. It was named the Bisonte after the bone pile that was located there.
Construction was from 1906-1908. The first photo shows the Bisonte, new in 1908.
The second photo shows the north (track-side) view in 1920.
The third photo shows the elegant interior lobby.
The popularity of auto travel caused the railroads to slow passenger traffic and the Bisonte suffered too. In 1946, the American Legion bought the hotel for $25,000. But even the Legion couldn't make it work financially.
In 1964, all the contents were auctioned off and the grand old building was razed in 1965. The fourth photo shows the Bisonte coming down (what a shame).
In 1967, the Ramada Inn constructed the current building. The fifth photo shows the 100 E. 2nd location today, now the New Beginnings - Meadowlark Commons & Walnut Court Apartments.
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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