Our Past Is Present March 15, 2018

March 15, 2018

            You are reading “Our Past Is Present” from the Geary County Historical Society.

            Today’s story is about an update on the street repairs on Grant Avenue in 1910.

            The “paving work” along Grant Avenue to Fort Riley is being finished as rapidly as possible and when completed this will be one of the best roads in the state.  That was the statement made in the “Fort Riley Guidon” newspaper in March of 1910.  Mr. Woodward, who was the contractor for hauling the crushed rock for the project had several teams at work and a number of men busy spreading the macadam.  The stone was being furnished by W.J. Lott and came from the crusher east of the city. 

This stone was crushed very fine and almost made gravel which when rolled would make a pavement.  One of the Junction City businessmen who was out inspecting the work, suggested that a street made of macadam alone and oiled once or twice a year would make good cheap paving even if the asphalt was left off.  The road was almost complete and as soon as it rained a ten-ton roller would compact the surface.   The, if the expense was not too much, a coat of oil twice a year would put the finishing touches to the road of which the the citizens of Junction City and Fort Riley would be proud.  The officials at the Fort and Mr. Haas Ziegler of Junction City were overseeing the building of this important road to insure that it would be done right.

Remember our Museum is open from 1 until 4 each day Tuesday through Saturday and admission is free. The display titled “Submerged” about the Geary County floods that led to the construction of Milford Dam is still in place.  Stop by at the corner of Sixth and Adams and see “Submerged” and the other galleries in our Museum.  And… Thanks for reading “Our Past Is Present” from the Geary County Historical Society.