Our Past Is Present December 4, 2017

December 4, 2017

            In December of 1900, the B. Rockwell Merchandise and Grain Company celebrated its 35^th anniversary in business. Mr. Bertrand Rockwell, the head of the establishment had only recently mustered out of the Union Army, when he rode into Junction City on December 1, 1865.  His ability combined with his strength was the only capital he had.  However, he applied it vigorously and by 1900 had gone through sunshine and storm, grasshoppers, drought and fires.  He had triumphed over all of these and made a business of which few Kansans could be so proud.

            According to the local newspaper, the Rockwell Mercantile establishment of Junction City, was known near and far as one of the largest and most solid in the west.  The splendid success of that firm may be attributed to its excellent management and the accommodating courteous treatment given to customers.

            While Mr. Rockwell was conservative with his ordering and selling of materials, he was liberal and chartable. In celebration of the 35 years in business, Mr. Rockwell gave a check of $5.00 per year worked to his 35 clerks for a total of over $1,600 dollars.  F.B. Gaylord and E.J. Blades had worked the longest time with the business and their checks amounted to $125 and $120 respectively. 

            The Rockwell Merchandise and Grain Company closed its doors in 1926 after 61 years serving the shopper’s needs of Junction City. 

            Visit our “Main Street Gallery” at our Museum on the corner of Sixth and Adams Streets and reflect on some of the businesses of the past and learn more about why we say, “Our Past Is Present” from the Geary County Historical Society.