Our Past Is Present February 19, 2018

February 19, 2018

            Today’s story is a quick look at the history that led to the construction of the Milford dam.  This information was first published in an article by the late Marilyn Heldstab and published in 1993. 

“The first settlers began establishing homesteads in the community of what is now called Milford in 1855.  The chartered name of the city was Bachelor, however it was later changed to Milford, because the postmaster was unhappy with the misspelling of the name Bachelor.  Marilyn cited another resource titled “Our Town and Townsmen”, which was written in 1892, in which the author stated that “The town is the oldest on the Republican River.  It is situated about fourteen miles from the mouth of the river on the Fort Kearney branch of the Union Pacific Railroad.” The rest of the article describes the people who settled the town and later continued to develop it.  Some of those included A.F. Fawley, who sold general merchandise, Ed Steckel, a blacksmith, a Mr. Pickering, who was a wagon maker, William P. Bard, restauranteur, Mr. Newby conducted the public schools as principal and Miss Gertie Brown taught the primary department.  Miss Bell Roether was a dressmaker and seamstress in the town and Burt Bartell a barber.

            If you are interested in more information about “Old Milford”, why the town was moved to make room for the Dam, stop our Museum at the corner of Sixth and Adams Streets any day Tuesday through Sundays from now until February 18.  The hours are between 1 and 4.  Check out the Submerged and Water/Ways displays. And… Thanks for reading “Our Past Is Present” from the Geary County Historical Society.