Historic Old Abilene Town and The Dickinson County Heritage Center
Join us on a trip back into Kansas history as we visit the heart of the cattle boom at Old Abilene Town, KS! Rich in history, Abilene is full of attractions that we have long wanted to visit. Not only is it the boyhood home of President Dwight D. Eisenhower, but it was also the final stopping point along the famous Chisholm Trail. Once the wildest town in the west, Abilene became famous for the rough and tumble crowd of cowboys who had just been paid. It took tough men like Wild Bill Hickock to tame it.
Also located down the street from Old Town is The Dickinson County Heritage Center home to a plethora of Kansas history ranging from prehistoric to early twentieth century. A special wing devoted to the history of Independent Telephony and The C.W. Parker Carousel are fun highlights that had us all acting like kids! Join us as we explore Historic Old Abilene!
Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park, Kansas
Earlier this month Kansas opened its newest state park to the public. Owned by the Nature Conservancy and operated by the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks & Tourism, Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park is a geological wonder that will change all you ever thought you knew about Kansas. Made of the same Niobrara chalk that formed impressive landmarks like Castle Rock and Monument Rocks, Little Jerusalem is the largest expanse of these formations in Kansas. Once privately owned property, this remarkable location is now open for all to enjoy. We have been anticipating visiting The Badlands ever since we first learned of their existence over a year ago.
The Niobrara Chalk is extremely fragile and easily eroded so strict adherence to Leave No Trace principles is required when visiting Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park. Stay on the trails leave all as you found it. Guided tours into the badlands themselves can be arranged and are free.
HIUS 530, Liberty University, Discussion Board Presentation 2
The River Brethren Denomination: filmed at replica of frontier church at Old Abilene Town, Abilene, Kansas.
Bibliography
Beyer, George R. Pennsylvania Germans Move to Kansas. Pennsylvania History: A Journal of Mid-Atlantic Studies 32, no 1 (1965): 25-48. In JSTOR (accessed July 31, 2016).
Durnbaugh, Donald F. Pennsylvania's Crazy Quilt of German Religious Groups. Pennsylvania History: A Journal of Mid-Atlantic Studies 68, no. 1 (2001): 8-30. In JSTOR (accessed July 31, 2106).
Reynolds, Margaret C., and Simon J. Bronner. 2001. Plain Women : Gender and Ritual in the Old Order River Brethren. University Park, Pa: Pennsylvania State University Press, 2001. eBook Collection (EBSCOhost), EBSCOhost (accessed July 31, 2016).
River Brethren, Dickinson County Heritage Center. Abilene, Kansas, 2016.
Special to, The Post. Church Factions at War. The Washington Post (1877-1922). Jul 27, 1899, 4. In ProQuest (accessed August 2, 2016).
Photo Credits
Crosby-Hastings, Kandy. August 2015. Photos of Dwight D. Eisenhower Boyhood Home. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum, Abilene, Kansas.
Hastings, Taliesin and Kandy Crosby-Hastings. July 2016. Photos of River Brethren exhibit. Dickinson County Heritage Center, Abilene, Kansas.
Dwight Eisenhower's boyhood home
This is a look at former President Dwight Eisenhower's boyhood home in Abilene, Kansas.
The Meditation Place Shrine of Dwight D Eisenhower at Abilene, Kansas
The Meditation Place Shrine of Dwight D Eisenhower at Abilene, Kansas provokes a little message on political ideals and after death.
Crew Cuts: Top Of The World Trail, Manhattan, KS
The kids are growing up and their lives are getting busy. It seems like it has been a long time since we had the whole Crew together for an adventure. When we found ourselves with a rare weekend when all the kids were at home we took full advantage and hit a trail that we've talked about hiking for a long time! The Top Of The World Trail at Washington Marlatt Memorial Park in Manhattan, KS! With a name like Top Of The World you might expect a long and arduous climb, but remember this is in Kansas. That being said, the scenic overlook does offer an awesome view of Manhattan and the surrounding Flint Hills. We even managed to have one extra as Tori's friend Mariah joined us for her first hike ever!
Beautiful Carousel at Crossroads Village!
Twisted Sisters (and Brother) take a ride on a gorgeous carousel from a time gone by. This carousel has been restored and has constant upkeep. It's like a blast from the past at Crossroads Village in Flint, Michigan.
Riding the Flint Hills Topeka Carousel
A delightful 1908 Herschell Spillman carousel as seen from the rider's point of view!
Eisenhower library church bells
Riding the Historic Carousel in Topeka, KS
Riding the Historic Carousel in Topeka, KS. It was originally built in early 20th century.
Merry ago ground
Saturday June 9 2018 Put-in Bay Ohio
New Bridges Hayward Church Picnic July 14 2013
Annual Church Picnic at Kennedy Park.
attack of the bison!
run!!
Cruising Topeka Kansas /Gage Park
Driving around Topeka Kansas and Gage Park on a rainy Day in May 2015
Charles carousel ride at fawson carnival
Watching Barnaby Village Museum Carousel in Vancouver
The restored 1912 C.W. Parker Carousel is located on the grounds of the Burnaby Village Museum & Carousel. This is one of the most well run carousels I've visited. They do a safety lesson before each ride to make sure everyone is safe and taking proper care of the carousel. There is also an attached room with lots of information on the carousel.
History of Parker #119
The Parker #119 was the 119th carousel constructed by C.W. Parker in Leavenworth, Kansas. Built in 1912, it was first sold in 1913 to Mr. F.K. Leggett of Houston Texas for $5,886.00. It was originally equipped with a steam engine and wishbones/grass-hopper/jumping horse mechanisms. It toured Texas for two years with the Lone Star Circus until 1915 when the machine was shipped back to the factory.
It is believed that the machine was rebuilt by the factory and had some fancier horses and heavier rounding boards added. The jumping mechanism may have been changed at that time. Some of the horses are circa1917 and some 1920-22. Factory records we consulted do not definitively tell where the machine went between 1915 and 1936. It possibly went to San Jose, CA from 1918 until 1922 and then to San Francisco or Tacoma, Washington. In 1936 it was purchased and was in operation at Happyland at Hastings Park in Vancouver by May 1936.
The Parker #119 was put onto a pavilion which had been built in 1928 by a rival company (Philadelphia Toboggan Company - P.T.C.). It was located next to the Shoot-The-Chutes ride. Here it remained until Happyland was demolished in 1957 and Playland constructed on the north side of Hastings Street by the Pacific National Exhibition (PNE). Parker #119 was moved to a new but smaller pavilion in Playland until that too was demolished in 1972. From 1972 to 1989, Parker #119 was operated outdoors in the summer and was put away each winter.
Rebuilding Parker #119
In 1989 the PNE announced that the carousel would be sold off horse by horse at an auction in New York State. Ms. Venus Solano and Mr. Doug McCalum and other local residents came together to Save the Carousel and formed the Friends of the Vancouver Carousel Society. In May 1989, Burnaby Village Museum agreed to provide a home for the carousel and the Friends of the Carousel, led by President Don Wrigley, set about raising the $350,000 to purchase the machine. Keith Jamieson, a carousel expert, was brought in to coordinate the rebuilding project.
Miraculously, and with a great deal of hard work, the help of the Government of British Columbia and the support of the Municipality of Burnaby, the carousel was purchased. Funds were also raised to pay for the restoration, and Burnaby agreed to build a new pavilion for it as a Centennial project.
Happy Thanksgiving from Destiny USA
From all of us here at Destiny USA we want wish you a Very Happy Thanksgiving.
We are so thankful for being part of such an amazing community!
Date Hike: Exploring Tuttle Creek State Park
Finding ourselves without the kids for a day, Christina and I decided to go on a Date hike. Just the two of us enjoying some trails at Tuttle Creek State Park. Because most of the trails at Tuttle Creek are short mileage we decided to hike multiple trails and explore the entire park. Honestly, we cant imagine a better way to spend a beautiful early fall day. Join us as we spend our alone time exploring Tuttle Creek State Park!
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