February 2, 2018
This is “Our Past Is Present” from the Geary County Historical Society.
The late Bob
Honeyman, former “Daily Union” newspaper correspondent for many years, wrote an
article in his column, “Bits of Honey”, about two of the oldest businesses
located on Washington Street in Junction City.
Some of what he wrote is our story today.
One of the
oldest businesses was the “Daily Union” newspaper, which was founded in 1861.”
It is now located on Sixth Street. However, Bob wrote “of those still located on
Washington Street, the Central National Bank is the oldest. The Bank dates back to 1884. It was founded
by Sumner W. Pierce, a native of Cooperstown, New York. In 1861 Pierce borrowed
$750 from the Building and Loan Association to start a sewing machine and music
business. He established branches in several
towns in Kansas. To finance his business
ventures, Pierce began making loans on real estate and selling mortgages in the
East as early as 1880. He organized the
Central National Bank with capital of $50,000. Edward W. Rolfs began a 60 year career with
the bank in 1915 with his son, Ed J. Rolfs and Ed C. Rolfs both succeeded him
in the presidency.” Robert Munson, E.J.’s son-in-law, is now the President of
the bank.
“Water’s
True Value Hardware “takes the laurels for being the oldest continuous retail
business in one family. Waters Hardware was founded in 1904 by G.E. Waters,
grandfather of the late Bob Waters. G.E.
Waters moved to Junction City from Manchester, Kansas. Waters purchased the Grentner Hardware Store,
which was housed in the Masonic Temple at 722 N. Washington Street, The store moved to the southwest corner of
Eighth and Washington in about 1918. Waters True Value is now located on East
Sixth Street.
The Rolfs
and Waters families are connected through the marriage of Betty Ann and Bob Waters.
And… that is today’s story on….. “Our Past Is Present” from the Geary
County Historical Society.
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