As we celebrate the 150th birthday of Hutchinson and Reno County, we want to go through the years, decade by decade, to see how things have changed and — remarkably — how they have stayed the same. This would not be possible without the efforts of Steve Harmon, the Reno County Museum, and the Hutchinson Public Library, who have made a great effort to supply us with the information and photos that you’ll see in this 15-part series. We hope you enjoy it.
We invite you to help us with this trip down memory lane. If you have specific memories of our city or county's growth since the 1960s, or have photos you'd like to share, send them to [email protected].
Many changes were a part of the 1960s, including a new home for Hutchinson High School, air passenger service in Hutchinson and the start of what is now one of the premier museums in the United States. That and more as we look back on the 1960s.
1960: Dillons Stores looks for an easier way for shoppers who need just a few things when it opens its first Kwik Shop. The partnership continues through 2018 when Kroger sold off the chain.
There are conflicting dates as to when this project was completed, but in 1961, the Farmers Commission grain elevator was in full operation. It is still the second-longest single-head house elevator in the world.
Sen. John F. Kennedy speaks at the Sports Arena.
Captain Kangaroo entertains a large crowd of children at the Hutchinson Sports Arena.
A gas explosion rips through the community of Haven, destroying the Haven Journal and two other buildings.
Dillons expands with a new distribution center on the city's east side.
Air passenger service comes to Hutchinson as Central Airlines. Eventually, the airline becomes Frontier Airlines.
The Hutchinson Fire Department builds a new training tower in Sylvan Park.
High school students in Hutchinson have a new home as the new Hutchinson High School is built at 13th and Severance.
1961: The Hutchinson Planetarium is opened by Patty Carey in a chicken coop at the Kansas State Fairgrounds. Her love of space and the vision of others is now on full display at the Cosmosphere, which is now one of the premier space museums in the world. The museum is one of just two that has a spacecraft flown in all three Cold War programs: Mercury, Gemini and Apollo.
In an effort to preserve the history of Hutchinson and Reno County, the Reno County Historical Society was formed.
Although you still have to stand in line for some state and county business, it was in 1961 that the state began to mail out license plates to residents.
A military plane crashes in Reno County. Crews were able to parachute to safety.
Hutchinson taxpayers form the Taxpayers League to promote better government.
1962: Fairfield High School opened in Abbyville. Today it is located just north of the community of Langdon.
Softball-sized hail hammers the area, causing more than $6 million in damages. The total would be $55 million in 2021.
Although it is well within the city limits today, Union Valley residents fought against annexation by the city in 1962.
Construction of a dam begins in southern Reno County in what would eventually become Cheney Reservoir.
Former President Harry S. Truman speaks at the Sports Arena.
1963: Many great events have come and gone from Reno County, but many still stand today, including the Abbyville Frontier Days Rodeo, which started in 1963.
The first Reno County Museum opened in 1963. The museum was located in several rooms of the home of Goldie Maupin, who was president of the historical society at that time.
The first Reno County 4H fair was held.
Consolidation of school districts continues as county districts are redrawn again.
IRS agents raid the Eagles Club and seize slot machines.
More than 48,000 residents receive the Sabin polio vaccine in an effort to eradicate infantile paralysis.
1964: Still entertaining today, the Hutchinson Symphony Orchestra was formed in 1964.
As consolidation of school districts continues, voters in Arlington approve the closing of Arlington High School.
The police department makes the decision to stop escorting funeral processions.
Dog owners are unhappy with the city’s new ordinance that requires all dogs to be in a fenced yard or on a leash.
As the Cold War escalates, Kansas State University advises the public about when it would be safe to exit a fallout shelter if the U.S. were attacked.
1965: Trinity High School is built at 17th and Lorraine.
After standing proud in Hutchinson for so many years, the Bisonte Hotel catches fire during demolition, bringing a quick end to the hotel's demise.
Flooding hits the town of Nickerson as residents are forced to use sandbags to protect property.
The Ultra Van powered by a Corvair engine and transaxle was designed by David Peterson in the early '60s. These units were produced in limited quantities by Ultra, Inc. of Hutchinson, Kansas, until June of 1970.
The Hutchinson News was awarded a Pulitzer Prize in 1965.
After years of military service, the old naval base has new life as it becomes the Hutchinson Air Base Industrial Tract. Today it is still home to various industries, The Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center and a popular glider port.
Hutchinson Junior College is taken under the reins of the state. The college had been run as a division of the Hutchinson School District. The college and the high school still have a close working relationship today.
Unable to secure more space downtown, Sears builds the Sears Shopping Plaza at the corner of 1st and Adams.
The planetarium moves to the campus of Hutchinson Junior College, now the site of the Cosmosphere.
After four years of construction, Cheney Reservoir is finished.
1966: Local doctors were found to have blocked free chest X-rays for five years, citing opposition to government encroachment into the private practice of medicine.
A new innovation aids police in catching speeders as Hutchinson begins using radar.
In what was the driest year on record, Reno County received just a little more than 13 inches of rain for the year.
The Human Relations Commission was formed in 1966 at the urging of the NAACP.
Mildred Baughman becomes the first woman in the state of Kansas to hold the office of county commissioners. She went on to serve for 25 years.
A new thing called a "computer" kickstarts a business in Hutchinson called the Data Center Inc.
The Dillons Northgate Shopping Center is built at 30th and Plum.
1967: Unable to receive any help from Reno County tax dollars, the Reno County Museum moves to Haven.
People read her advice column for years, but in 1967, Ann Landers spoke in Hutchinson.
The year after six residents die in the Broadacres County Home, Reno County commissioners approve air conditioning for the facility.
The Daisy BB gun shooting championships are held at Gowans Stadium July 7-9.
Old brine wells erupt in South Hutchinson.
Haven postal carrier Homer Astle retires after carrying mail on the same route for 46 years.
A danger that still exists today, a large prairie fire consumes the northern part of Reno County.
1968: A runaway train leaves Hutchinson heading west. The train travels 78 miles before it is derailed in the small town of Kinsley.
Wheat continues to be the crop in Reno County with a record 11.4 million bushels harvested.
Reno County servicemen write home about the horrors of the Vietnam War as local casualties increase.
USD 312 patrons approve a $1 million bond issue to build a new high school.
A popular event still held each year in Nickerson, the first Klear Nearly Days event is held in 1968.
The Fair Housing Ordinance was passed by the city of Hutchinson, outlawing discrimination in housing.
The Hutchinson Community College debate team wins the national title.
Thousands of trees die from Dutch elm disease.
The reformatory supervisor resigns after months of controversy over financial irregularities and an investigation by the governor's panel.
1969: What might have been for Hutchinson, no one will ever know for sure, but the new interstate system route does not go through Hutchinson, instead taking a route to the east through Newton.
The Board of Trade diminishes use of the Wiley Building, eventually closing. When the Wiley Building was renovated, 2013 papers, maps and most everything that was a part of the board was still there.
New telephones allow Hutchinson residents to make their own long-distance phone calls.
Vietnam protesters march down Main Street and hold a rally in Sylvan Park.
In what was finally an end to consolidation in the county, the number of school districts is reduced to six. There were 88 in 1948.
Addition: We are asking for your memories of events that happened up to the current date. Here are some of the things one reader shared with us about the 1950s and 1960s — Kathy says some of her memories include:
Sitting on Random Road watching movies playing at the drive-in.
Dragging Main with the turnaround at Sandy’s Drive-In.
Going to the rodeo at the Sports Arena.
Going roller skating at the Rollerena.
Taking swimming lessons at Carey Park.
Having the Morgan Grade School teacher walk the entire class to Dairy Queen on the last day of school.
And finally, shopping at Pegues and Wileys — the only places you could buy dresses in town.
Thanks for sharing!
The Decades are brought to you by:
Hutchinson Funeral Chapel
Rothe Family Flooring
Hutchinson Public Library
Check back next Sunday for the next part in this series.
CLICK HERE FOR THE 1870s
CLICK HERE FOR THE 1880s
CLICK HERE FOR THE 1890s
CLICK HERE FOR THE 1900s
CLICK HERE FOR THE 1910s
CLICK HERE FOR THE 1920s
CLICK HERE FOR THE 1930s
CLICK HERE FOR THE 1940s
CLICK HERE FOR THE 1950s
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