THE CLOCK IN THE TOWER. Many Franklin Countians today might be surprised to learn that the clock in the west tower on the roof is not original to architect George Washburn’s 1893 courthouse. The clock was installed as a memorial to Edwin M. Sheldon, who died of complications from pneumonia on April 11, 1911. #ClockTowers #KansasHistory #FranklinCountyKS #Horology #KansasArchitecture @histodons

The Franklin County Historical Society is working on a new exhibit, and we need your help! Our upcoming exhibit tells the story of the Civil Defense and Ground Observation Corps. If you have local artifacts, please contact brannana (at) olddepotmuseum (dot) org.

#KansasHistory #ColdWar #CivilDefense #FranklinCountyKS #OttawaKS #PomonaKS #RichmondKS #PrincetonKS #RantoulKS #LaneKS #WellsvilleKS #CentropolisKS #PeoriaKS #AppanooseCommunityKS @histodons

@genealogy @histodons

Christmas in Franklin County in words and photos:

Pence’s Super IGA, southeast corner of Fourth & Main, decorated for Christmas. The Mode O Day company sign can be seen above. This building is now the home of Corner Market and Impact Wealth Planners. 11/

#Christmas #FranklinCountyKS #OttawaKS #KansasHistory

@genealogy @histodons

Christmas in Franklin County in words and photos:

An invitation, dated December 16, 1924, to celebrate Christmas in Williamsburg. “Mr. and Mrs. Lay, This is to ask you to be our guests at Dinner. Christmas Day –1924. Mary and John will be here. So hope nothing will interfere with your coming. PS. The boys are welcome if the care to come. Alice McEvoy.” 10/

#FranklinCountyKS #KansasHistory #Christmas #WilliamsburgKS

@genealogy @histodons

Christmas in Franklin County in words and photos:

Women and children surround the Nativity scene at St. Teresa’s Catholic Church in Richmond, Kansas. Photo by J.B. Muecke. 9/

#RichmondKS #FranklinCountyKS #KansasHistory #Christmas

@genealogy @histodons

Christmas in Franklin County in words and photos:

Decorating an aluminum Christmas tree in preparation for a party at Elks Lodge #803 in Ottawa, Kansas. The woman on the right is identified as Carol Gleason, and the boy is her son, John. Photo by J.B. Muecke. 8/

#FranklinCountyKS #OttawaKS #Christmas #KansasHistory

@genealogy @histodons

Christmas in Franklin County in words and photos:

Handwritten plum pudding recipe on stationary that reads "Office of J.D. Bodley & Son, wire and Picket Fence, No 424 South Main Street." Recipe in alt text. 7/

#KansasHistory #Christmas #OttawaKS #FranklinCountyKS

@genealogy @histodons

Christmas in Franklin County in words and pictures:

Letter to Abbie Bachelder (She later became Abbie Maxwell) from her friend D. W. Palten. They sent her a Christmas present of $100. They asked her not to tell anyone about the money. 1866. 6/

#FranklinCountyKS #RichmondKS #Christmas #KansasHistory

@genealogy @histodons

Franklin County Christmas in words and photos:

The Stoltz family in their home at 4th and Hickory (where the US Post Office now stands) in Ottawa, Kansas at Christmas. Pictured Elizabeth Stoltz holding baby Herman, Fred Stoltz holding Fred Jr., children William, Elizabeth, and Mary on the floor, and Andrew Volk stands in the doorway. 1897. 5/

#KansasHistory #OttawaKS #FranklinCountyKS #Christmas

@genealogy @histodons

Christmas in Franklin County in words and pictures:

Partially used sheet of Christmas seals used to raise money for the Tuberculosis and Health Association which later became the American Lung Association. 1930. 4/

#KansasHistory #FranklinCountyKS #Christmas