Celebrating support, upcoming events and 160 years of Kansas history
As we begin a new year this month, most Southwest Kansans probably want to look more toward the future than the past, with hopes of better times to come after recent and continuing adversity caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, not to mention current social and political strife.
However, January also brings a chance to reflect on history for all of us in Kansas, since 2021 marks the 160th anniversary of the birth of our state. It was on Jan. 29, 1861 that the 34th star first took its place on the blue field of the American flag, converting us from a contested territory to an ambitious young state whose constitution forbade slavery – a controversial national issue at the time that touched off the Civil War.
Garden City Telegram
People with fond memories of Garden City’s Big Pool, once billed as the world’s largest free, concrete, municipal swimming pool, may want to stop by the Finney County Historical Museum as part of their holiday shopping.
The museum’s gift shop is offering commemorative Big Pool T-shirts in two styles, as well as nostalgic 2021 calendars featuring approximately 45 photographs from the pool’s 97-year history.
The 8.5 by 17-inch grid-style wall calendars are $15 each and the quantity is limited. The picture page for each month includes a different collection of pool images, showing swimming, diving and poolside lounging, as well as people sailing, water skiing, paddle boating and ice skating on the pool surface. There is also at least one view of elephants from Lee Richardson Zoo frolicking in the water.