Jul 25, 2024

📷 Throwback Thursday: Sugar Mill - Vol. 80

Posted Jul 25, 2024 11:00 AM
Sugar Mill under construction - 600 E. 1st - 1882. Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.
Sugar Mill under construction - 600 E. 1st - 1882. 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 600 block of East 1st Avenue on the north side.

The Kansas Sugar Refining Mill was organized in September 1881 for the purpose of supplying sugar from sorghum for the early settlers of the area. The first photo shows it under construction in 1882. It opened in March.

Sugar Mill under construction - 600 E. 1st - 1882. Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.
Sugar Mill under construction - 600 E. 1st - 1882. Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.

The second photo shows that at opening.

Sugar Mill - Sorghum Sugar Factory - 1st & Plum - 600 E. 1st - 1882 to 1887 (Then Soap Factory). Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.
Sugar Mill - Sorghum Sugar Factory - 1st & Plum - 600 E. 1st - 1882 to 1887 (Then Soap Factory). Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.

This enterprise only lasted for about five years, then it was converted to a soap factory. The third photo shows that in about 1890.

Sugar Mill - Soap Factory  c. 1890 - was Sugar Mill before 1887. Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.
Sugar Mill - Soap Factory c. 1890 - was Sugar Mill before 1887. Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.

Over the years, the building had many uses, but was eventually just used for storage purposes.

By 2000, the Wilbeck family had owned it for a while and the soft limestone used in construction had really started to deteriorate. The fourth photo shows that era.

Sugar Mill - Sorghum Sugar Factory (Wilbeck Sugar Mill) - 600 E. 1st - Sept. 7, 2016 (owned by T&T Leasing - Ted Robinson). Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.
Sugar Mill - Sorghum Sugar Factory (Wilbeck Sugar Mill) - 600 E. 1st - Sept. 7, 2016 (owned by T&T Leasing - Ted Robinson). Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.

In 2019, the city deemed it unsafe and condemned it. The fifth and sixth photos show the demolition of the old Sugar Mill in April 2019.

Sugar Mill Demolition  - 600 E. 1st - April 1, 2019 (built 1881 - Ted Robinson owner). Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.
Sugar Mill Demolition - 600 E. 1st - April 1, 2019 (built 1881 - Ted Robinson owner). Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.
Sugar Mill Demolition - 600 E. 1st - April 1, 2019 (built 1881 - Ted Robinson owner). Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.
Sugar Mill Demolition - 600 E. 1st - April 1, 2019 (built 1881 - Ted Robinson owner). Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.

Always a shame to see one of the oldest structures in the city go! The seventh photo shows where the building used to sit, at 600 E. 1st. Now the property is owned by T&T Leasing of Ted Robinson.

Sugar Mill - Original Property - After Demolition - 600 E. 1st - 2019 (T&T Leasing - Ted Robinson). Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.
Sugar Mill - Original Property - After Demolition - 600 E. 1st - 2019 (T&T Leasing - Ted Robinson). Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.

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

Throwback Thursday is brought to you by:

Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce
STRATACA Kansas Underground Salt Museum

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