Monument to early Reno County Pioneers
Have you seen this monument at the Kansas State Fair?
The monument dedicated to Reno County Pioneers has been moved to a new, more visible location at the Kansas State Fair.
By Sandra J. Milburn/Reno County Communications Specialist
If someone asked you - have you seen the Rose Garden Memorial monument dedicated to early Reno County Pioneers at the Kansas State Fair? What would you say? Well, most people haven't seen it although it has been there since 1961. It was hidden behind a vendor and some metal college mascots just northeast of the Information and Visitor's Center.
Reno County Commissioner Randy Parks headed the project to move the monument to a more visible location when his son, Ryan Parks asked him if he had ever seen the monument at the fairgrounds. With the help of the Kansas State Fair Board, Ward Davis Builders, Woolsey Monument Co., Stutzman Greenhouse and Andy Fry - State Farm Insurance agent, the monument is now located in a highly visible area surrounded by flowers just north of Lake Talbott. There is a walkway going from the Lowen Corporation Free Stage up to the monument.
The monument moved from just west of the Eisenhower Building to between the Professional Arts buildings, just north of Lake Talbott and south of the 4-H Centennial Building. According to the date on the monument, the Rose Garden Memorial was dedicated by the Reno County Historical Society on September 10, 1961.
A story from The Hutchinson News on September 11, 1961, said that 125 persons attended the dedication of the Reno County Historical Society's Memorial Rose Garden at the State Fairgrounds. The marble scroll didn't arrive in time for the dedication, but it was installed later.
In a news story earlier in 1961 from The Hutchinson News on March 26, 1961, the memorial rose garden was located on the fairgrounds fronting on 20th (Ave.), immediately west of the entrance. "The committee plans to plant 100 bushes within a few days and a dedicatory service is planned. Members of pioneer families of the country are being invited to contribute to the rose fund with roses memorializing families and friends. The plants will cost $5 for planting, identification and care, John Fontron, chairman of the committee, said."
Commissioner Parks' son Randy Parks II also added a metal clock hand to the center of the sun dial since the original one was missing.
If you have any information about the Rose Garden Memorial, please contact Sandra Milburn at sandra.milburn@renogov.org or call 620-694-2568.
Enjoy these photos from the monument's former location to new location and make sure to take a look while you are at the Kansas State Fair this year!
Have you seen this monument at the Kansas State Fair?
The monument dedicated to Reno County Pioneers has been moved to a new, more visible location at the Kansas State Fair.
By Sandra J. Milburn/Reno County Communications Specialist
If someone asked you - have you seen the Rose Garden Memorial monument dedicated to early Reno County Pioneers at the Kansas State Fair? What would you say? Well, most people haven't seen it although it has been there since 1961. It was hidden behind a vendor and some metal college mascots just northeast of the Information and Visitor's Center.
Reno County Commissioner Randy Parks headed the project to move the monument to a more visible location when his son, Ryan Parks asked him if he had ever seen the monument at the fairgrounds. With the help of the Kansas State Fair Board, Ward Davis Builders, Woolsey Monument Co., Stutzman Greenhouse and Andy Fry - State Farm Insurance agent, the monument is now located in a highly visible area surrounded by flowers just north of Lake Talbott. There is a walkway going from the Lowen Corporation Free Stage up to the monument.
The monument moved from just west of the Eisenhower Building to between the Professional Arts buildings, just north of Lake Talbott and south of the 4-H Centennial Building. According to the date on the monument, the Rose Garden Memorial was dedicated by the Reno County Historical Society on September 10, 1961.
A story from The Hutchinson News on September 11, 1961, said that 125 persons attended the dedication of the Reno County Historical Society's Memorial Rose Garden at the State Fairgrounds. The marble scroll didn't arrive in time for the dedication, but it was installed later.
In a news story earlier in 1961 from The Hutchinson News on March 26, 1961, the memorial rose garden was located on the fairgrounds fronting on 20th (Ave.), immediately west of the entrance. "The committee plans to plant 100 bushes within a few days and a dedicatory service is planned. Members of pioneer families of the country are being invited to contribute to the rose fund with roses memorializing families and friends. The plants will cost $5 for planting, identification and care, John Fontron, chairman of the committee, said."
Commissioner Parks' son Randy Parks II also added a metal clock hand to the center of the sun dial since the original one was missing.
If you have any information about the Rose Garden Memorial, please contact Sandra Milburn at sandra.milburn@renogov.org or call 620-694-2568.
Enjoy these photos from the monument's former location to new location and make sure to take a look while you are at the Kansas State Fair this year!