Our Past Is Present November 21, 2018

November 21, 2018

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

            Tomorrow is an opportunity to take some time to reflect on all that we have to be thankful.  Thanksgivings in early Junction City may not have been so different than many of the current celebrations and traditions. A complete story about some of the early Thanksgivings Days in Junction City may be found on page 323 of the book Set In Stone, which is available for purchase at our Museum at the corner of Sixth and Adams Streets Tuesdays through Saturdays between the hours of 1 and 4. We are sharing an editorial comment and a story about a meal being eaten by community members while others watched.

            George W. Martin, editor of the “Junction City Union” wrote an article which was published the day after Thanksgiving Day in 1871.  He wrote: “Thanksgiving Day in town was as quiet as a Sabbath.  There was a general suspension of business, but a very limited attendance at church.  Folks were too busily engaged in the kitchens getting up Thanksgiving dinners. More ought to attend religious services than do.  It ought not to become a whole day of feasting!” stated Mr. Martin.

            Fred Durland had a furniture shop on West Seventh Street and in 1893 one of the big front show windows was the site of an unusual Thanksgiving display.  Passers-by saw well known community bachelors eating a Thanksgiving feast right before their eyes. The setting was a stylish new dining room suite with all the accessories.  There was roast turkey, oysters, celery, oranges, apples, grapes and other delicious fruits together with all the trimmings and delicacies of the season.  The intent was to lure prospective customers into the store to see the other fine furniture for sale there.

            However, you spend your Thanksgiving Day, remember to take some time to reflect on all that is good about Geary County, our nation and our world.  Even though we struggle to get along in peace at times, we can be thankful that we have each other to get through the tough times and make things better by working together to solve problems. 

            Happy Thanksgiving from the Geary County Historical Society.