Day 24 - Monday, June 4th - McPherson to Abilene, KS
Distance: 63.1 miles
Elevation Gain: 1318 ft.
or 20.9 ft./mile
Out here in the
wide-open spaces of Kansas navigation has been easy and today was no different
as we headed east on US 56 for 22 miles and turned left (north) on KS 15 for 41 miles. Light winds from the south, overcast skies and a few rain sprinkles made for a very pleasant day of riding. While there were few towns or obvious communities on the route there seemed to be more small farms, homes and homesteads along with one obvious sign of civilization on the side of the road that most Americans are familiar with. I couldn't recall seeing one of these since we left California.
Just about 5 miles down the road we passed through Galva, a town of about 850. The town was laid out in 1879 on land owned by the Marion & McPherson Railroad Company, served as a shipping point for grain and cattle. By 1883 the population was close to 100 and the town contained several general stores, a drug store, hotel, lumber yard, livery stable, and a schoolhouse. The town was named by Mrs. J.E. Doyle, a native of Galva, Illinois.
Just about 5 miles down the road we passed through Galva, a town of about 850. The town was laid out in 1879 on land owned by the Marion & McPherson Railroad Company, served as a shipping point for grain and cattle. By 1883 the population was close to 100 and the town contained several general stores, a drug store, hotel, lumber yard, livery stable, and a schoolhouse. The town was named by Mrs. J.E. Doyle, a native of Galva, Illinois.
Mile 11 brought us to the Canton, a town of about 750. Like Galva it is the result of the
railroad being built through the area in 1879. Incorporated as a city in 1880,
it is named after Canton, OH, because an early settler was from Ohio.
At mile 18 we passed south of Lehigh, a town of about 175 people and before we reach Hillsboro just past mile 22 we turned north on Santa Fe Ave. (KS-15). Hillsboro, a town of nearly 3,000
people was settled by Russian Mennonites who brought with
them the Turkey Red Hard Winter Wheat which is still grown throughout the Great
Plains.
At mile 31 we reached Durham, a community of just over 100
people and our only SAG stop of the day. Despite its small size, it is the home of Donahue Trailers, a
manufacturer of farm implement trailers. They have a 40,000 sq ft facility
about a half mile northeast of town and have built and distributed over 50,000
carriers since 1962. Nearly 900 a year on average.
As I said earlier, it wasn't easy to tell where we were or what communities were nearby from the the road, yet the increase in the number of homes and signs of what I'll call municipal services, clearly indicated a different landscape then the south western portion of Kansas. To me this felt like rural/middle America.
I wish I could be more precise about where the pictures are from along the route, but unless there is a comment, they are from the road to Durham.
As I said earlier, it wasn't easy to tell where we were or what communities were nearby from the the road, yet the increase in the number of homes and signs of what I'll call municipal services, clearly indicated a different landscape then the south western portion of Kansas. To me this felt like rural/middle America.
I wish I could be more precise about where the pictures are from along the route, but unless there is a comment, they are from the road to Durham.
Silo of the day
Oil/Gas well of the day.
Yes, I am fascinated by silos.
This goes in the category of Necessary Municipal Services and a sign of a thriving community. This was in Canton, KS. The lack of clientle is no doubt due to the time of day...about 8:15 am...but they looked like they were open.
Another indication of the changing landscape...a well manicured lawn and a novelty outhouse. It is almost sad...how long before we see tract housing?
That's better!
Take note of the boundary description. "Urban". Not where I grew up
Church next to our SAG Stop
Home at the SAG stop.
Out of the SAG stop we continued north on KS-15 and at mile 45 we passed through Elmo,
a community that actually started about a mile from its present location. The source of the name is unknown. Why did they move the community? Of course...the railroad. The Missouri Pacific railroad didn't like the original site because of sloping ground so they built a stop in Banner City, which got renamed to Elmo when the post office was moved. The post office was closed in 1966 and the railroad removed in the 1990's/ Elmo's one claim to fame is that in 1899 a trove of insect fossils was discovered about three miles south of Elmo and the site has produced tens of thousands of specimens, with more than 150 species of insects described.
Another 15 miles and we are on the outskirts of Abilene. Here are pictures from the SAG stop to Abilene.
Curious Cows
Living close to Tampa, Florida I was curious. A community of about 100 people tied to the formation of the Santa Fe Trail.
View from my handlebars. That device is a Garmin. It does a lot of things but most important it keeps me on the route.
This corn might already be knee high!
We had a bit of a tailwind but I think the bend of these trees is more indicative of the prevailing winds. We didn't get this much of a push.
This is the Seelye Mansion in Abilene. Built in 1905 at a cost of $55,000. Supposedly it contains original furniture and Edison light fixtures in the 25 rooms that include 11 bedrooms, a ballroom, dining room, library, music room, kitchen area and a bowling alley. Home was built for Dr Seelye and his wife. The good doctor owned a patent medicine business that had salesmen calling on people all over the US...in short a shyster.
Sneak Peek at Tomorrow
It's a rest day followed by 106 miles to Topeka on Wednesday. Abilene looks to be a very quiet town. I'm having(had) several beers and hoping to sleep in.
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