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 southwest corner of Airport Road and East 4th, specifically, 3742 E. 4th Ave.
In 1942, the Cessna Aircraft Company of Wichita built a rather "hush-hush" plant in Hutch to produce wooden gliders for the World War II Normandy invasion effort. The first photo shows a 1952 photo of that original glider plant.
After the war, they built Cessna wooden and metal furniture there.
In 1951, the plant expanded and was converted to hydraulics production for aircraft and farm machinery.
In 1959, the plant doubled in size, costing $1.5 million and hired 600 more employees. The second photo shows the plant entrance in 1970.
The third photo is a 1975 aerial showing how expansive it had become.
In 1978, they built an employee activity center next to the plant, that has become the fire training center now.
The company hit its historic peak in 1980 with 2,875 employees.
In 1988, the Eaton Hydraulics Co. purchased the Cessna fluid power plant and continued there for a long time, though steadily declining.
Eaton closed the facility Aug. 31, 2017. The fourth photo shows the 3742 E. 4th facility today. The west side has become the KMS Warehouse owned by Big Square Feet L.L.C. of Wichita. The east side has turned into a worm farm owned by Hutchinson Building L.L.C. out of Goodland.
To purchase a photo print, contact: sharmon5@cox.net.
Throwback Thursday is brought to you by:
STRATACA Kansas Underground Salt Museum
Anchor Inn and Anchor Away