Our Past Is Present November 2, 2017

November 2, 2017

            This is “Our Past Is Present” from the Geary County Historical Society.

            Many attempts have been made to name Junction City’s Park at 6^th and Washington Streets, which is now called Heritage Park.  In 1908, there was an attempt to name the park after a man known only as General Knox.  He was one of the early residents of Junction City in the 1860s.  In 1908, a number of the original settlers had been interviewed and encouraged to share information about the early history of Junction City in commemoration of the 50^th anniversary of the town’s founding.  Many of them recalled how the founders had designated the plot of land in the center of town to become the city park.  This property had been surrounded by a high picket fence and left for some time with no further improvement.  There were only a few trees near the east end of the grounds.  The rest was covered by high prairie grass.  General Knox, who was somewhat eccentric, took an interest in the park and planned it with paths winding through newly planted trees.  It was recalled that when the newly planted trees were in danger during the terrific heat of those first scorching summers, General Knox laboriously and faithfully carried water in buckets to keep his trees alive.  Although some of the trees died, his efforts were not in vain and the result eventually became a shady oasis.  Thus, in 1908, the call went out to name the area Knox Park in memory of this community pioneer.  However, this effort failed when some of the General’s more eccentric behaviors were realized.  It was not until 1989 that the name Heritage Park was given to this first Junction City Park. 

That is today’s story on “Our Past Is Present” from the Geary County Historical Society.