Apr 25, 2024

📷 Throwback Thursday: Cow Creek - Vol. 67

Posted Apr 25, 2024 10:50 AM
1877 Flood - Sherman and Main looking North - First National Bank on left - by T.H. Jackson - Lot #43 N. Main. Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.
1877 Flood - Sherman and Main looking North - First National Bank on left - by T.H. Jackson - Lot #43 N. Main. 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 early downtown history, which has seen one significant flood after another from Cow Creek spilling out of its banks.

The first was in 1877, when Hutch was just six years old. These photos were from T.H. Jackson, Lot #43, one of the first photographers here locally. The first photo shows Sherman and Main, looking north, with the First National Bank on the left.

1877 Flood - Sherman and Main looking North - First National Bank on left - by T.H. Jackson - Lot #43 N. Main. Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.
1877 Flood - Sherman and Main looking North - First National Bank on left - by T.H. Jackson - Lot #43 N. Main. Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.

The second photo shows the McKee and Bloom Livery - Sales and Feed Stable at 16-24 W. 2nd.

1877 Flood - McKee and Bloom - Livery, Sale and Feed Stable - 16 to 24 W. 2nd - By T.H. Jackson - Lot #43 N. Main St. Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.
1877 Flood - McKee and Bloom - Livery, Sale and Feed Stable - 16 to 24 W. 2nd - By T.H. Jackson - Lot #43 N. Main St. Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.

The third photo shows 2nd and Main looking south at the Empey & Burell signage at 113 N. Main. They were a grocer and bakery. This one required deep search in the newspaper archives to pinpoint the location.

1877 Flood - 2nd and Main looking south - Empey & Burrell - 113 N. Main - by T.H. Jackson - Lot #43 N. Main. Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.
1877 Flood - 2nd and Main looking south - Empey & Burrell - 113 N. Main - by T.H. Jackson - Lot #43 N. Main. Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.

The fourth photo shows what that view looks like today.

1877 Flood - 2nd and Main looking south - March 11, 2024. Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.
1877 Flood - 2nd and Main looking south - March 11, 2024. Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.

Many attempts were made over the years to fix the flooding problems, from straightening the canal, to constructing the Harsha Canal, culminating with the Cow Creek Diversion Canal in 1955 finally working.

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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