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 Avenue A and South Walnut.
The Salt City Business College was established in 1879 and, before 1900, it was located in a variety of downtown locations.
In 1903, G.L. Moody was elected president of the school. In 1904, it moved to the southwest corner of Avenue A and Main Street (where the old Isham's Furniture was located later). The first photo shows that location in 1905.
By 1916, the school had 700 students and built a new facility at Avenue A and Walnut. Not only did the school teach business classes, but it had athletic teams. The second photo shows the 1908 football team.
The third photo shows the 1926 girls basketball team.
In 1920, the J.D. Conard family secured ownership of the school and continued its growth. The fourth photo shows the 1940 school attendees in front of that building.
The upstairs held all the business classes, like the typing class in the late 1940s — shown in the fifth photo.
The sixth photo shows the exterior of the school in the 1950s with neon signage.
The school continued successfully until it declined in the mid-1970s and finally closed in 1979 on its 100th anniversary.
It was vacant between 1980 to 1985.
Leon Schartz Enterprises had flea markets there from 1986 to 1991.
In 1993, Kirt Poovey of Wichita purchased the building and had Ecowater Systems on the first floor.
In November of 2024, Jon Lovett purchased the building. The seventh photo shows the building at 100 E. Avenue A today (a night snow view), with Jon starting a renovation of the building to bring it back to life!
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