Crestline
Taken from: William G. Cutler's History of the State of Kansas which was first published in 1883 by A. T. Andreas, Chicago, IL.
Crestline area reunion picture from around 1936-8. This was actually an area slightly to the north called Wirtonia.
Crestline school picture from around 1930
Crestline is situated eight miles east of Columbus, on the St. Louis & San Francisco Railroad, one mile from Shawnee Creek, on level prairie. The first settlement was made in March, 1875, by Henry Wiggins, who named the town after Crestline, Ohio. The post office was established in May, 1875, and Henry Wiggins appointed Postmaster. Through the efforts of the railroad authorities the post office was discontinued in June, 1880; but soon afterward re-established in response to a petition numerously signed by the citizens, and Mr. Wiggins was re-appointed Postmaster.
The first birth in Crestline was that of Jerome Ewing, January 12, 1876; the first marriage, that of Henry Hallenet to Miss Annie Jones, November 18, 1880, and the first death that of Mrs. M. Hart, December 1, 1878. The first school was taught in 1877, by Julius Bridegroom, in a carpenter shop. A schoolhouse was built in 1878.
In 1881, the railroad company proposed to put in a side track and build a depot, if the town would donate land sufficient for the purpose. The donation was gladly made. The town has now a population of about 100, and being surrounded by as fine farming land as there is in Kansas, is insured a prosperous future.
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Ha! Think he'd be disappointed with that prediction now? Though the town was never incorporated, I think the population peaked at around 300 during WW2. During most of the 20th Century 20 to 40 members of our family lived there. Now only one is left. The Railroad is gone. The school is gone. They will probably soon lose the Post Office. Nothing remains of around nine businesses that were once there. The population is less than 79. The primary reasons, as I see it, that the town is moribund are:
1. The lead and zinc mines in the area are no longer in business.
2. The Chemical plant a few miles to the south is gone.
3. Technology allows much more land to be farmed by fewer people.
4. And, of course, large chains like Walmart and better roads to get to them.
5. Later generations have been better educated hence broader horizons.
6. Finally, a general depopulation of this region appears to be the current trend.
The first birth in Crestline was that of Jerome Ewing, January 12, 1876; the first marriage, that of Henry Hallenet to Miss Annie Jones, November 18, 1880, and the first death that of Mrs. M. Hart, December 1, 1878. The first school was taught in 1877, by Julius Bridegroom, in a carpenter shop. A schoolhouse was built in 1878.
In 1881, the railroad company proposed to put in a side track and build a depot, if the town would donate land sufficient for the purpose. The donation was gladly made. The town has now a population of about 100, and being surrounded by as fine farming land as there is in Kansas, is insured a prosperous future.
----------------------------
Ha! Think he'd be disappointed with that prediction now? Though the town was never incorporated, I think the population peaked at around 300 during WW2. During most of the 20th Century 20 to 40 members of our family lived there. Now only one is left. The Railroad is gone. The school is gone. They will probably soon lose the Post Office. Nothing remains of around nine businesses that were once there. The population is less than 79. The primary reasons, as I see it, that the town is moribund are:
1. The lead and zinc mines in the area are no longer in business.
2. The Chemical plant a few miles to the south is gone.
3. Technology allows much more land to be farmed by fewer people.
4. And, of course, large chains like Walmart and better roads to get to them.
5. Later generations have been better educated hence broader horizons.
6. Finally, a general depopulation of this region appears to be the current trend.
Above located at Mound Hill on the way to Carl Junction,MO. Close to the homestead where
Grandma Jane was raised. They are her parents and an infant sister.
Below are located in Carl Junction. They are the aunt & uncle who raised her + grandmother
Grandma Jane was raised. They are her parents and an infant sister.
Below are located in Carl Junction. They are the aunt & uncle who raised her + grandmother
To the right is a pic. of the surviving pistol of a pair Hugh L. Thompson had in the civil war. Above it is a pic. of a display at Rader Farm.