Tag: history

Holmdel Township in the very beginning…


What one could say was the dawn for New Jersey’s Holmdel Township finds its beginning verse in the Monmouth Patent.

The onset for Holmdel Township started off with the annexation by Great Britain of territory formerly possessed by the Dutch.


This territory – that which had once been the Netherlands’ New Amsterdam – was put under the control of Great Britain’s Royal Crown. As such, the Monmouth Patent enabled conveyances of land to settlers by Great Britain in this new British territory.

In April of 1665, Great Britain’s deputy-governor for New Amsterdam granted “patents” for a triangular parcel of land located in today’s Monmouth County. This was the Monmouth Patent. This, the tract of land in Great Britain’s New Amsterdam territory which would later become New Jersey’s Monmouth County.


The earliest families to acquire land through the Monmouth Patent in what today we recognize as Holmdel Township had been the Bowne family, the Holmes family, the Cotterell family and the Stout family.

The Holmes family’s tract of land stretched north of Ramanessin Brook to Hop Brook Farm – the Holmes Tract.

John Bowne’s tract of land touched the northernmost boundary of the Monmouth Patent “triangle.”

Eliezer Cotterell received two land conveyances. Cotterell’s first conveyance totaled 100 acres. Cotterell’s second conveyance totaled 130 acres.

Richard Stout acquired a tract of land within the “triangle” which was situated to the east of Ramanessin Brook – the Richard Stout, Senior Tract.

One other such early land conveyance through the Monmouth Patent was the Bray Tract. This, the conveyance of land to a Baptist minister. John Bray.

Fifty acres was the Bray Tract…running from the easternmost portion of the Monmouth Patent “triangle” – at Bray’s Brook – to the east side of Hop Book Farms. 

And it was this 1687 purchase of territory by John Bray which led to the establishment of the first Baptist church in the State of New Jersey. Which was rather symbolically supportive of the Monmouth Patent “exercise” in the first place. As the Monmouth Patent codified religious freedom in this new British territory of New Amsterdam.

New Jersey’s first Baptist church evolved from this Bray Tract. In time, becoming Middletown Baptist Church. A church located in today what we know to be, Holmdel Township. As Baptists throughout New Jersey can point to their New Jersey origin as being, the Bay Tract.

On land John Bray acquired through the Monmouth Patent, John Bray proceeded to set up Bray’s Meeting House. 

Bray’s Meeting House became a congregation for Baptists. Local Baptists whose house of worship became…Bray’s Meeting House. At the corner what today would be Main Street and Holmdel Road. In Holmdel Township.


As the number of Baptists who resided within and near this new British territory of New Amsterdam in today what we call “Holmdel” grew, in 1709 John Bray donated a portion of his land to the Baptist Church. This land donation by John Bray led to New Jersey’s first Baptist church. This first Baptist church in New Jersey was, at first, known as The Upper Meeting House. 


With The Upper Meeting House established, during the first half of the 18th Century, this farming community of what one day would one become Holmdel Township experienced an increase in the migration of Baptists to the area.

First, at John Bray’s Meeting House, then later, at what would become The Upper Meeting House, Baptists weren’t yet meeting in Holmdel Township. Where Holmdel Road meets Main Street, as Baptists joined together, this was not yet Holmdel Township. At that time, Baptists were meeting in Middletown. There was not yet a “Holmdel.”

What had been Middletown then consisted of all of the territory in Monmouth County north of the Navesink River. And east of today’s Freehold Township. So for nearly 150 years, The Upper Meeting House – at the corner of Main Street and Holmdel Road – was located in Middletown.

In 1848, the expansiveness of what was then Middletown was altered. Middletown was broken up. And parceled out. 


In 1848, Raritan Township was spun off from Middletown. This new Raritan Township consisted of what later would become Hazlet, Aberdeen, Union Beach, Keansburg, Keyport, and Matawan. As well as…Holmdel.

Nine years after Middletown was restructured, in 1857, Holmdel Township officially formed. Formed, through an act of the New Jersey Legislature. 

John Bray originally settled in today’s Holmdel Township in 1684. Three years later, John Bray received his 50 acres. Granted to Bray by New Amsterdam’s acting governor.

The earliest land conveyances made possible through the Monmouth Patent were not enacted through the acts of a full-fledged territory governor. 

In 1664, the British territory made up of what would one day become New Jersey – then, being, New Amsterdam – was governed by a British deputy governor. This British deputy governor in 1664 was Richard Nicolls.


A few years after settling in Monmouth County, John Bray increased his land holdings. Bray purchased two additional tracts of land. These purchases took place in 1688.

The first of John Bray’s subsequent land purchases totaled 130 acres. Bray’s second land purchase in 1688 totaled 30 acres.

Johm Bray’s land holdings – the land grant he received from Deputy Governor Richard Nicolls, coupled to his subsequent land purchases – foretold of the pathway to Bray’s later establishment of his Meeting House. While also foretelling of Bray’s later land donation. To the Baptist church. Leading to, New Jersey’s first Baptist church.

On the corner of Main Street and Holmdel Road.

Belleville, New Jersey

The name Belleville has a French connotation. In French, Belleville means “beautiful town.” To those of us here in the United States, Belleville means, “birthplace of the Industrial Revolution in America.”


Outside of Belleville’s earlier days, well-earned setting within our Industrial Revolution, the origin for what today we know to be Belleville can be traced back to the late-18th Century. Yet then, in those waning years of the 18th Century, today’s Belleville was once, Second River.

In 1797 Belleville’s name was changed. From Second River. To Washington. But that name change – to Washington – didn’t last very long.

This new name – Washington – proved to be unsatisfactory to inhabitants of the old Second River settlement. As such, shortly thereafter, the name change – from Second River to Washington – proved to be the first of two name changes for Second River.

Second River’s name was changed, once again. This time, changed to Belleville. Yet at that time, Belleville was moreso a settlement than it was an organized town.  That changed.

Belleville was incorporated as a New Jersey township 42 years after receiving its name – as Belleville. The year was 1839. This once-a-settlement completed its evolution into becoming a full fledged township in New Jersey by way of an act of the State legislature. The year was 1839. 

Forty-some years prior to the thrice renamings – from Second River, to Washington to Belleville – an occurrence of historical significance took place in this township. An occurrence which cemented Belleville’s place within the annals of an emerging industrial economy in the New World.

You see, Belleville is the official birthplace of America’s Industrial Revolution. Belleville’s position, as such, brought to be through the workings of an 18th Century New World newcomer. A newcomer who arrived in Belleville by way of Great Britain. Josiah Hornblower.


In 1753, Josiah Hornblower was commissioned by his company across The Pond – his company being, Newcomen – to build what would become the first steam engine assembled in the New World. 

And it was the result of this first steam engine that Josiah Hornblower’s link to Belleville, and thus, Belleville’s position as the birthplace of America’s Industrial Revolution, was formed.

Josiah Hornblower traveled from Great Britain to the New World to build a Newcomen steam engine. A steam engine he’d build for the owners of what was then the oldest copper mine in the New World. A copper mine located in Belleville. The Schuyler Copper Mine. 


The Schuyler Copper Mine traces its history all the way back to 1710. 

In 1710 Arent Schuyler purchased a tract of land on which the future Schuyler Copper Mine would be built. The construction of this mine…the byproduct a discovery. This discovery being, copper ore. Copper ore discovered on Schuyler’s land.

This discovery of copper ore coming three years after Arent Schuyler completed his land purchase. This discovery of copper ore taking place in 1713.

The purchase of a large tract of land… The discovery of copper ore… Yet, neither the land purchase, nor the subsequent copper ore discovery directly led to Josiah Hornblower’s arrival in Belleville. Nor did the land purchase, nor the discovery of copper ore, directly lead to Belleville’s designation as the birthplace of America’s Industrial Revolution.

Belleville – as the birthplace of America’s Industrial Revolution – and Belleville – as the Josiah Hornblower’s home- came about because of an act of God. It was a flood.

In 1748, a flood decommissioned the Schuyler Copper Mine. In order to continue on with mining operations, Schuyler Copper Mine – then run by Arent Schuyler’s sons – was in need of a steamship. A Newcomen steam engine, that is.


Newcomen steam engines were manufactured in England. The Schuyler mine was in Belleville. Therein, we find our Belleville link to Josiah Hornblower. And thus, to Belleville becoming the birthplace of our Industrial Revolution.


Schuyler Copper Mine contracted England’s Newcomen to build the steam engine they needed.

Newcomen, located in Cornwall, England, sent Josiah Hornblower across The Pond to assemble this steam engine for the Schuyler Copper Mine. 

Thus arriving, Josiah Hornblower established himself as a Belleville resident. To assemble the Newcomen steam engine for Schuyler Copper Mine. A steam engine which would be used to pump flood water out of Schuyler’s mine.

Thirty-nine years later, the first steam engine was manufactured in the United States. That year was 1794. Tellingly so, the very first steam engine manufactured in the United States was manufactured in Belleville.

In 1797 – three years after the manufacture of the first steam engine in the United States – the first steamboat produced in New Jersey was built by Josiah Hornblower. New Jersey’s first steamboat was built in Belleville.

Two-hundred years after Josiah Hornblower built that first steam engine in Belleville, the Congress passed a resolution recognizing Belleville’s historical role in a then-industrializing United States.

Congress’s 1994 resolution: Belleville, birthplace of our Industrial Resolution.

The late, great Congressman Bill Pascrell was responsible for our Belleville resolution. 

Overland Park


In real estate, developers acquire land, then plat a subdivision. For Overland Park, Kansas, that is how it all began. As a platted subdivision. 

This platted Kansas subdivision – the one which evolved into today’s Overland Park – came to be through entrepreneurship espoused by a Johnson County entrepreneur. This entrepreneur, William B. Strang, Jr., his contributions to the Kansas City region coming through his establishment of a local rail service which connected Kansas City to Olathe, Kansas. Leading to the formation of Overland Park.


William B. Strang, Jr. founded the Missouri and Kansas Interurban Railway. Strang founded his railroad in 1906. Two years prior to Henry Ford’s Model T entering into production. 

When Strang founded his Missouri and Kansas Interurban Railway, there were no cars on Kansas City roads. One could not drive in to Kansas City, Missouri from Johnson County, Kansas. And in 1906, train travel in Kansas City was a luxury. A luxury with longer distance routes. A train to St. Louis. A train to Chicago. When Strang founded his Missouri and Kansas Interurban Railway there was no specific train route which took passengers from Kansas City, Missouri to Johnson County. No railroad was offering this local service. Yet Strang believed this could be an economically viable route. Hence, the origin of the Strang Line. 


Headquarters for Strang’s Missouri and Kansas Interurban Railway could be found in downtown Kansas City, Missouri. At the corner of 7th and Walnut. In the Railway Exchange Building.


With Missouri and Kansas Interurban Railway headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, Strang proceeded to build several depots in Johnson County, Kansas. The largest of Strang’s depots was the one he built at what is today the corner of 80th Street and Santa Fe Drive. In Overland Park.  


William B. Strang, Jr. was a 20th Century railroad entrepreneur. He was also a real estate developer. A speculator. Strang built spec homes. The sale price for one of Strang’s spec homes – as well as demand for spec homes built by Strang – was driven by an idea: you can own your own new home in Johnson County.

To this point, Strang’s rail service enabled city dwellers in Kansas City, Missouri to gain access to the Johnson County suburbs. And, so too, to new homes built in Johnson County by William B. Strang, Jr. New homes being built where today we find Overland Park. 

William B. Strang, Jr.’s Olathe-to-KCMO Missouri and Kansas Interurban Railway contributed to the success Strang attained as a real estate developer. In that Stang’s Missouri and Kansas Interurban Railway increased access to new suburban Kansas homes Strang was then building. In turn, driving up demand for Strang’s homes. The result? Higher sale prices for Strang’s homes.

William B. Strang, Jr. arrived in what would go on to become Overland Park in the earliest days of the 20th Century. He arrived in Johnson County 1905. Upon his arrival, Strang proceeded to acquire land on which the downtown for today’s Overland Park now sits. Strang’s initial Johnson County land acquisition – the land acquisition which led to an Overland Park – totaled 600 acres.

A 600-acre acquisition…

A real estate developer…

The coupling of an idea: new homes/increased access to new homes…

A railroad entrepreneur…

The makings of Overland Park…

As a city, Overland Park was incorporated 55 years after William B. Strang, Jr. set foot in Johnson County. Overland Park was incorporated in 1960. Yet, by 1960, the railroad which laid the groundwork for the formation of Overland Park was no longer. The last Missouri and Kansas Interurban Railway train car pulled into Olathe in 1940…20 years prior to the incorporation of Overland Park.

Those 600 acres William B. Strang, Jr. purchased in Johnson County in 1905… Those subdivisions to the southwest of Kansas City, Missouri, those out in the Johnson County suburbs… One of those subdivisions was named “Overland Park.” 

Overland Park… Originally, one of William B. Strang, Jr’s subdivisions. The undertaking of one Johnson County real estate developer who became a railroad entrepreneur. 

A railroad entrepreneur whose subdivisions ignited the construction of new homes to the southwest of Kansas City. New homes which increased in value as a result of new access – by rail, circa the Missouri and Kansas Interurban Railway – to these new homes which were being built. Several of which were being built by William B. Strang, Jr. The train entrepreneur who was also the real estate developer.

William B. Strang, Jr. Real estate developer. Railroad entrepreneur. Founder of Overland Park. 

Manhattan, Kansas


In 1854, when President Franklin Pierce signed the Kansas-Nebraska Act into law, a new Kansas Territory was opened for settlement. That same year, seeds were planted for one such riverside settlement within this new Kansas Territory. A settlement that would go on to become “The Little Apple.”


Steps taken by pioneers to establish what would go on to become “The Little Apple” -aka, Manhattan, Kansas – should be thought about with the Kansas-Nebraska Act also in mind. This is so due to the relationship the Kansas-Nebraska Act had to the institution of slavery. To how the Act served as a catalyst for Kansas’ formation. To how the Act fueled the antislavery movement in Kansas. Then too, to how the Act served as the precipice for the early organizers of a townsite which would evolve into “The Little Apple.”


So how do we connect Manhattan’s formation to the Kansas-Nebraska Act? Then too, to the antislavery movement? This connection really begins, with a Senator from Illinois…

In 1854, Illinois Senator Stephen Douglas introduced a bill to Congress. This bill that Senator Douglas introduced to Congress was the Kansas-Nebraska Act.


Senator Douglas’ bill – which President Pierce signed into law the same year the bill was introduced – ended the Missouri Compromise. The Missouri Compromise banned slavery in states north of an established latitudinal designation. Minus, one state, Missouri. Missouri’s exclusion from the ban of slavery, being, the “Compromise.”

While doing away with the Missouri Compromise, the Kansas-Nebraska Act also organized two new territories for the United States. These two new U.S. territories being, one, the Kansas Territory, and, two, the Nebraska Territory.

Two new U.S. territories were organized. The Missouri Compromise was ended. Without the Missouri Compromise, the two new U.S.territories would be free to enact “popular sovereignty.” And this popular sovereignty, within Douglas’ Kansas-Nebraska Act, related to whether slavery would become an institutional pillar within each of the two new U.S. territories.

So, with President Pierce’s signing of the Kansas-Nebraska Act, the race was then on to settle these two new territories. And, to settle the territories with positions on slavery which would thus, in turn, be representative of the viewpoints pertaining to the institution of slavery espoused by the early framers of the territories.  

Popular sovereignty was in. The Missouri Compromise was out. The Kansas-Nebraska Act was in. What remained to be either in or out, was, the institution of slavery.

The same year the Kansas-Nebraska Act was signed into law by President Pierce, a settlement took hold in the Kansas Territory at the junction of the Kansas River and the Big Blue River. This, a riverside settlement founded by Colonel George Park. Colonel Park named his settlement, Poleska.

As Colonel Park founded Poleska, another group of pioneers heading into the new Kansas Territory – this group, cattlemen from Illinois, led by Samuel Houston – founded a neighboring settlement. Their neighboring settlement, Canton.

Popular sovereignty. No Missouri Compromise. And two new settlements in the Kansas Territory.

One year after Colonel Park founded Poleska, one year after Samuel Houston founded Canton, we find the structural framework for what would go on to become, “The Little Apple.” Manhattan.

Our framework for Manhattan, inspired by the popular sovereignty which came to be in the Kansas Territory. As the Missouri Compromise, was no more.


One year after the settlements of Poleska and Canton were founded, in 1855, a group of New England abolitionists traveled to this new Kansas Territory. From Boston. With popular sovereignty in mind, these New Englanders wanted to establish a Free State for this new Kansas Territory. They realized that they could do so. By increasing the number of antislavery voters in the Kansas Territory. Thus, with a majority of antislavery voters, ensuring that when Kansas did become a United States state, Kansas would enter the Union, as a free state. 


These abolitionists from Boston – the New England Emigrant Aid Company – selected the contiguous Poleska-Canton settlements as their new Free-State home. Their new Kansas Territory home, located alongside those two Kansas rivers. The Big Blue River. And the Kansas River. 

Recognizing how their settlement could develop reliable channels for commerce as a result of the settlement’s strategic position alongside two rivers, a river landing was built. With a river landing, then, ferries were built. Means of waterway commerce was established. A town constitution was adopted. The pioneers from Boston proceeded to acquire acreage. With their land acquisitions, the footprint of this new antislavery settlement, had been enhanced.

Yet, this antislavery settlement, was not yet a town. This settlement was not yet, Manhattan. 

Manhattan was once, Boston…

This townsite, nestled alongside the Kansas River and the Big Blue River was still known as – just as this townsite had been known to be, since its founding by Boston settlers – Boston.

The name Manhattan would indeed come…not long after.

The same year the New England Emigrant Aid Company arrived at the Poleska-Canton settlements, another group – this group, with their origin being, Cincinnati, Ohio – also arrived. And it was this second group, from which, our Manhattan name, came to be.

This second group was the Cincinnati and Kansas Land Company. The Cincinnati and Kansas Land Company arrived at the Poleska-Canton settlements, also in 1855. Making their journey to the new Kansas Territory, on a steamship.

Upon arrival, ready to put up buildings. And houses. To further develop the commerce which was still in its infancy – in year one – within the Poleska-Canton settlements.


As an inducement to advance commerce, the New Englanders offered the Cincinnati and Kansas Land Company half of their Kansas Territory townsite of Boston. 

Our new Kansas Territory group from Cincinnati accepted the stake holding offer. With one condition. This condition being, the townsite name would need to be changed. From Boston. To Manhattan.

A deal was struck. 

Manhattan, Kansas was founded in 1855. Two years later, Manhattan, Kansas was incorporated. 

The Little Apple.

Indiana University at the very beginning.



In 1820, the academic institution at which the Six Million Dollar Man first began his college football career as a defensive end, thanks to an IU athletic scholarship, was founded. This Midwest school with nine campuses and 90,000 students today was founded as a seminary. 

Classes began at this Hoosier seminary four years after the school’s founding.

Those early classes were held in Bloomington. Just as IU classes are held in Bloomington today.

Before Indiana University became Indiana University, Indiana University was educating Hoosiers as Indiana College. After first educating Hoosiers as Indiana Seminary.

Our Hoosier school. First, Indiana Seminary. Then, Indiana College. Then, Indiana University.

Indiana Seminary became Indiana College in 1828…four years after those first classes were held in Bloomington. At Indiana Seminary. Eight years after the school which would go on to become Indiana University was established. Twelve years after an Indiana university was to be established. According to Indiana’s state constitution.

Indiana’s university became Indiana University twenty two years after Indiana’s state constitution called for the establishment of an Indiana university.

Indiana’s state constitution was written in 1816. Written at the state capital. Written in Cordyn.

Indianapolis is Indiana’s capitol today. in 1816 Cordyn was the capital in the Hoosier State. Written in Cordyn in 1816, Indiana’s state constitution paved the way for the transformative history of IU.

Indiana’s university…

Indiana Seminary. Later becoming Indiana College. Later becoming Indiana University, where the Bionic Man once played defensive end.

UCONN, and how the Huskies’ school came to be


In the year 1822, a boy by the name of Charles Storrs had been born into a world of Mansfield, Connecticut agriculture. The Storrs family…a family of Mansfield farmers.

While Charles Storrs’ 19th Century life found its origin in agriculture, Charles Storrs ventured out. Beyond his family’s humble Mansfield farm.

Charles Storrs migrated from an agricultural world, into Connecticut mercantilism. Going on to sell silk. For a Hartford manufacturer.

While Charles Storrs started out on a family farm in Mansfield, he attained his wealth by way of successes found in Connecticut mercantilism.

And, to the benefit of Charles Storrs’ home state of Connecticut, Charles Storrs turned back from his mercantile successes. Turning back to where it all began in Mansfield for Charles Storrs. Turning back, to agriculture.


The success of Charles Storrs…

In 1854, Charles Storrs ascended from silk salesman, to entrepreneur. By partnering with his older brother Augustus Storrs to establish Storrs Brothers. 

Charles Storrs headed the company he founded, the company which bore his name, from the company’s inception in 1854, on through 1879.

In 1880 Charles and Augustus Storrs donated 170 acres – along with several buildings – to the State of Connecticut. This land that Charles and Augustus Storrs granted to Connecticut was conveyed with a condition. The condition being, for Storrs’ farmland to become the ground on which a Connecticut agricultural school would be established. A college. An agricultural college.

These 170 Mansfield acres went on to become a Connecticut village. Storrs, Connecticut.

The agricultural school intentioned through the Storrs’ land conveyance went on to become a college – Storrs Agricultural College. Charles and Augustus Storrs, being the College’s founders.

Storrs Agricultural College evolved into the University of Connecticut. I.e.: UCONN.

One of those old buildings which had been given by the Storrs Brothers to the State of Connecticut went on to become the very first Storrs Agricultural College campus building – Edwin Whitney Hall. Which today, on UCONN’s campus, is the Edwin Whitney Residence and Dining Hall.

Today, the village of Storrs, Connecticut remains anchored in academia. The village’s stalwarts being UCONN. As well as the Connecticut Repository Theatre.

UCONN’s address? 110 Storrs Road, Storrs, Connecticut.

During the latter part of the 19th Century, at the Kansas-end of the Texas-to-Kansas Chisholm Trail, an unruly establishment sprang up. Located just outside of Wichita. This new establishment, a cowtown. Laden with gambling. A place where saloons and brothels far outnumbered any churches. At the Kansas end of the Chisholm Trail, this raucous establishment was a place where cowboys – weary from cattle drives – could rest up. Enjoy bourbon. Play cards. Before heading back out on the road. This congregation-of-cowboys along the Chisholm Trail became, Delano.

Delano in the 1870’s became an unruly cowtown on the Chisholm Trail. So let’s look at how this Kansas cowtown came to be.

The emergence of Delano as a Kansas cowtown had been foundationally based upon, a convergence. Our convergence being, an over-abundance of cattle during the 1870’s in Texas. Coupled to a shortage of cattle during the 1870’s on the East Coast.

As one part of the country – Texas – had an abundance of cattle, and one part of the country – the East Coast – had a shortage of cattle, a business opportunity presented itself. Hence, our Chisholm Trail. Hence, Jesse Chisholm. And within the circumstances of this need – cattle to be shipped to the East Coast – we have our catslyst, for Delano.

To optimize this opportunity in the cattle business, Jessse Chisholm figured out that an establishment of a trail, starting out in Texas, and ending in Wichita, would enable cattle to be transported from where there had been an abundance of cattle – Texas – to where there had been a shortage of cattle – the EastCoast. As the Chiron Trail formed, Wichita was the perfect endpoint. Cattle transported from Texas (the Chisholm Trail began in San Antonio) to Wichita could then be shipped off to where there had been demand. With limited supply. The East Coast.

Cattle were shipped north…along Jesse’s Trsil. Delano. To Wichita. Located right next to Wichita, had been Delano. 

Delano was built upon the cattle-shipping industry. Delano’s growth, made possible through Jesse Chisolm’s 500-plus mile trail. From San Antonio to Wichita.

Along with the growth of the cattle shipping industry in Wichita, you had cowboys. And while Wichita was the established city, just next door to Delano – as Wichita had rules, and a sheriff…and laws, with a jail – Delano had no such checkpoints. 

During the 1870’s, there was no sheriff in Delano. During the 1870’s there was no law enforcement in Delano. No jail. Just across the Arkansas River from Wichita, to west. No rules in Delano. And right across the river from Delano, in Wichita, lots of trail-weary cowboys. That’s how Delano grew. 

The growth of Delano accompanied Wichita’s growth as a cattle shipping hub. Thanks yo the Chiron Trail.

Cattle drives from Texas – where there had been an abundance of cattle in the 1870’s – ending up in Wichita. Once the cattle got to Wichita from Texas, Wichita railroads transported cattle from Wichita to the East Coast. A major industry took hold – and grew -in Wichita. Facilitating Wichita’s cattle shipping industry, the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad was extended to Wichita in 1872. With the cattle industry in place, with the arrival of the railroad, Wichita became “Cowtown.” 

And just across the river from Cowtown, cowboys enjoyed their bourbon. And gambling. With no sheriff. With no jail. Hence, we have Delano. 

Delano. The perfect “wild west city” – with no law enforcement, with no sheriff, with saloons and with brothels – for Wichita’s cattle industry cowboys.

Today, Delano is a neighborhood in Wichita. Wichita annexed Delano in 1880. So, by the end of the 1870’s, Delano as an independent town, frequented by raucous cowboys, was no more. Integrated into Wichita – then locally becoming known as West Wichita – Delano adopted the rules of its city, just across the river. 

By 1880, Delano’s existence as a playground for cowboys – with no sheriff, with no jail – was no more. 

Council Grove, Kansas


What is so very interesting about our nation’s history can be discovered through historical connections we make between famous Americans, and quite often, places we frequent. Or, places we visit. Or, in my case, the restaurant which serves the best bread pudding.

One of my – How did this come to be? – started off as an affinity for bread pudding. Bread pudding in Council Grove, Kansas. Bread pudding served at Hays House 1857.

Hays House 1857, Daniel Boone, Benjamin Franklin and Council Grove.

Council Grove’s origin…


In the earliest part of our nation’s 19th Century, in what would – 29 years later – go on to become the Territory of Kansas, in 1825, westward-focused American settlers had been eager to identify quicker (and better) trade routes. With this impetus for expanding trade to the west in mind, a treaty in 1825 had been negotiated between United States commissioners and the Osage Indians. Negotiated in a section of the Great Plains where frontiersmen gathered. Rested. And congregated. Before continuing on…west.

In the early part of our 19th Century in what today is Kansas, as United States trade – and as United States trade routes – were being expanded to the west, one 1825 treaty entered into by the United States with Indians – the Osage Indians – grew what would go on to become one of the most famous passageways – passageways, trails, routes, roads and/or highways… – in all of United States history. 

This trail…a 900-mile United States trade route. 


This trail…starting out in a small town, 100 miles to the east of Kansas City, Missouri.

This trail…its origin, a small town which had been founded by European setters in 1816. 

This trail…beginning in that small Missouri town – to the east of Kansas City – which had been named for one of the United States’ Founding Fathers.

This trail…which one would, at that time, start their travels on in Franklin, Missouri. 

Franklin, Missouri…a town named for one of the United States most famous Founding Fathers, Benjamin Franklin.


This trail…ultimately arriving in, Santa Fe, New Mexico.

This famous trail we are speaking to? The Santa Fe Trail. 


The treaty between United States commissioners and the Osage Indians extended our Santa Fe Trail to the west. Through a section of what would later go on to become, the Territory of Kansas. Later becoming, the State of Kansas. 

This treaty entered into between United States commissioners and the Osage Indians – in 1825 – was centered upon a destination point for frontiersmen traveling west. At the “Grove.”

In 1825, there was no incorporated United States town through which this section of the Santa Fe Trail had been extended. 

In 1825, there was no organized territory through which this section of the Santa Fe Trail had been extended.

This 1825 treaty – extending the Santa Fe Trail though a most-scenic part of the largest tall grass prairie in the United States, the Flint Hills – focused on an area in the Plains where travelers gathered their wagons. They’d form wagon trains. And they’d head west. From the “Grove.”

We are referring to an area in Kansas’s Flint Hills which was at that time – to the Osage Indians, and to frontiersmen – simply known to be, the “Grove.”

The “Grove.” Named for a grove of trees. 

This 1825 extension of the Santa Fe Trail would wind along – what had been at that time – simply, the main street in the “Grove.”

The unincorporated territory in which this section of the Santa Fe Trail had then been extended – in 1825 – would go on to become a formal United States Territory. In 1854. This territory would go on to become the Territory of Kansas.

This grove of trees would go on to become an incorporated United States city. Twenty-six years after the Territory of Kansas became the State of Kansas in 1861. The grove of trees would go on to become…Council Grove. 

Council Grove was incorporated as a city in Kansas in 1887.

And that old main street in the “Grove?” Our old main street would go on to become …Main Street. In Council Grove. 


Which brings us to our link between the “Grove,” the Santa Fe Trail, Council Grove and…Daniel Boone.

But first…Seth Hays.

Hays house ( lower case “h”) started serving American pioneers three years after the Territory of Kansas was incorporated as a United States territory. 


In 1857, Hays’ house originally started out as a Santa Fe Trail trading post. A Santa Fe Trail trading post coupled to a Santa Fe Trail restaurant. Located – then, and now – on the Santa Fe Trail. 


With its historical position, quite literally, on the Santa Fe Trail, the Hays house traces back to Seth Hays.


Seth Hays. Founder of Council Grove, Kansas.

Seth Hays. Rancher. Tavern owner. Trader. Publisher.

Seth Hays, who grew up in the Kansas City, Missouri neighborhood of Westport.

The original Hays house? Well, the original Hays house that Seth Hays built next to the Neosho River wasn’t actually a house.

The original Hays house was in fact a log cabin. A log cabin which functioned as Seth Hays’ home – I.e.:. where Seth Hays lived with his adopted daughter, a freed slave. And as a Santa Fe Trail trading post. 


The trading post built by Seth Hays in the “Grove” was a business venture headed by a relative of his, A.G. Boone. 

A.G. Boone…grandson of Daniel Boone.

Seth Hays…great-grandson of Daniel Boone.

Strong City, Kansas


…for the next time you see one of those long BNSF freight trains chugging along the tracks. Whether you see one of those BNSF freight trains in Los Angeles. Or in New York City. Or in Dallas. Or in Chicago. The next time you see one of those BNSF freight trains, you can think about a town located along the Flint Hills Scenic Byway in Chase County, Kansas. You can think about Strong City. Population, 388.

Five years after the Kansas Territory was first organized… Two years prior to Kansas becoming our 34th U.S. State…Chase County, Kansas was born. That year? 1859.

Twenty-two years after that – in 1881 – the railroad in the United States entered Chase County, Kansas. The Chase County town which was the benefactor of this rail extension in Kansas had been Cottonwood.


And in Cottonwood, a new train station was built. That new train station – built in 1881 in Cottonwood – became, the Cottonwood Station.

The very next year – in 1882 – the town of Cottonwood would change its name. Becoming, Strong. Later becoming, Strong City.

Our Strong City name took hold much, much later. Sixty-three years later, to be precise. In 1945.

Strong City…

Yet, let’s go back to the beginning of it all. To the very beginning of Strong City’s – then, Strong’s – imprint on U.S. rail.

The beginning, which brings us to a New Englander. A New Englander, who was born in Vermont. A New Englander by the name of William Barlow Strong. W.B. Strong. As W.B. Strong is where our Strong City-BNSF connection begins.

W.B. Strong. Our namesake for Strong. Our namesake for Strong City. W.B. Strong. W.B.Strong, the man on whom a petition had been set forth to change a Chase County town’s name. From Cottonwood to Strong.

When that railroad –  the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway – was extended into Cottonwood in 1881, W.B. Strong served as president at Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway.


The year Cottonwood Station first opened- in 1881 – would be the same year W.B. Strong took over the reins at Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway. As president. Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway. ATSF, for short.

Expanding on from the opening of that Cottonwood Station in 1881, under W.B. Strong’s leadership, ATSF significantly grew its train routes. To cover 7,000 miles. 7,000 miles of Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway routes. Throughout the United States.

Headed by W.B. Strong, Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway went on to become part of what is today the largest railroad in the United States. ATSF’s growth spurt coincided with the opening of that Cottonwood Station. In our Chase County town that would go on to bear W.B. Strong’s name. In Cottonwood. Later becoming, Strong. Later becoming, Strong City.

Strong City. The Chase County town named after our railroad executive, W.B. Strong.

Whenever we see a freight train, we no doubt will see the letters “BNSF” on those freight cars. And on those, once-steam, now diesel or electric, engines. BNSF is our modern-day evolution for Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway.

Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway went on to merge with Burlington Northern Railroad in 1995. Out of this merger, we had, Burlington Northern & Santa Fe Railway.


Later becoming, simply, BNSF.


The prevalence of those BNSF freight trains we see throughout the United States…transporting goods from the West Coast to the East Coast. From the Midwest into Canada. From the Midwest into Mexico. The prevalence of those BNSF freight trains we see…we see those BNSF freight trains, arguably, as the modern day result of the expansion-oriented mindset which had been espoused by the man whose name is forever linked to our Chase County town. W.B. Strong. Our namesake, for Strong City.

In the late 19th Century, then-Cottonwood, later becoming Strong and later still, becoming Strong City, had a population of, between, a few hundred to one thousand people. Strong City’s population today is just about where it had been in its earliest days. A few hundred people.

Just as our Strong City forefather – W.B. Strong – laid the late 19th Century “tracks” for a company which would go to become the largest rail company in the United States – with over 32,000 miles of track, across 28 U.S. States – Strong City would proceed to make a second notable contribution to the freight-by-rail system we now have. 

Beginning in the late-19th Century, Strong quarries supplied large quantities of the stone which had been used for U.S. railway expansion. While at the same time, Strong stonemasons handled a good deal of the stone-work which had been necessary in order for that that late-19th Century/early-20th Century rail expansion to take place. 


While Strong stonemasons performed according to their names – as stonemasons, handling stone-work for railroads – Strong stonemasons extended their contributions to the growth of late-19th Century/early-20th Century rail in the U.S. beyond their stone-work. In fact, Strong stonemasons went on to enter into numerous phases of late-19th Century/early-20th Century railroad construction. Far beyond stone-work.

The laying of track. Building the bridges on which track was laid. Building train stations. Roadhouses.


Each being one such category of railroad construction that Strong stonemasons placed their signatures upon.

So…our Chase County town of 300-or-so residents, located a little less than a two hour’s drive west of Kansas City. Our Chase County town can be thought of whenever we do see one of those BNSF freight trains.

W.B. Strong. Strong. Later becoming, Strong City. Strong stonemasons. United States rail. BNSF.

For me, it’s quite difficult, moreso, impossible, to see a freight train and to not think about those picturesque drives I’ve taken, oh so many, many times, along Highway 177 in Kansas. Onto Main Street. Along the Flint Hills National Scenic Byway. Into…Strong City.

Strong City. Our Chase County town of 300-or-so people which has left its not so-little-at-all “Strong City signature” – in more ways than one – on U.S.cargo, shipped by rail. 

Lumber: types and uses


Framing lumber – I.e.: dimensional lumber – is the lumber used by builders in new home construction when, as our category foretells, we are talking about framing the new home. Framing the home and lumber…which brings us to an acronym. SPF.


SPF. Spruce. Pine. Fir. This grouping, an attractive combination of strength and affordability. Spruce, pine and fir. More commonly referred to as SPF. The types of lumber builders use for different elements of framing.

Spruce, pine and fir are milled together. By milling SPF, you end up with standard dimensions of lumber – 2 x 4’s, 4 x 4’s and 2 x 6’s. 

Let’s look at the “F” in our SPF – fir. Douglas fir.


Douglas fir is a type of lumber which is a core component in new home construction. Builders use Douglas fir for joists, posts and beams. Yet, not for trusses. 

Southern Yellow Pine – when using pine for this specific application – is the preferred pine when it comes time for trusses. Although the “S” in our SPF – spruce – would more typically be used by builders for trusses. Moreso, than Southern Yellow Pine.


Spruce is known for its structural benefits. Hence, the use of spruce for trusses. Spruce is also known for its keen aesthetics. 

While spruce is used in load-bearing capacities – I.e.: for trusses (as well as for floor joists and wall studs) –  spruce is also used for interior finishes. Paneling. Molding. Trim. Spruce takes paint and stain quite well. Hence, the utilization of spruce for interior finishes.

Let’s look at the pricing of spruce…


One 1 x 3 x 16 board of spruce can be purchased by builders at, in the range of, $8.00/piece. While one piece of 1 x 4 x 16 spruce would be priced, in the range of, $10/piece.

In regard to the flooring, the trim and the cabinetry going into the new home, builders utilize a hardwood. Commonly, builders will use oak.  

There are several reasons why oak is not used by builders for framing. First off, oak tends to be pricier than SPF. While the (general) higher cost of oak – as compared to SPF – makes oak cost prohibitive when it comes time to frame the new home, cost is not the only reason homes are not framed with oak. Nor the main reason.

Oak has a tendency to split when nailed. So framing and oak? Quite simply, that’s just a bad “marriage.”

Let’s look, for a moment, into how much lumber a builder will need in order to build a home…

To construct one 4,000 square foot home, a builder will typically use between 20,000 to 25, 000 board feet of lumber. Which brings us to the “F” in our SPF – fir. Douglas fir. 

Douglas fir is one of the strongest – and the most durable – woods available to builders. This combination of strength and durability makes Douglas fir the optimal choice for builders when it comes time to frame the home. 

Douglas fir possesses exceptional dimensional stability. Furthermore, Douglas fir is not prone to warp. Nor to twist. Douglas fir…great for framing.

Let’s look, for a moment, at lumber prices…

For flooring, trim and cabinetry, builders like oak. So how much does oak cost? Well, that depends. 

4/4 Red Oak, 1-99 board feet, is priced in the range of $5.00/board foot. Which means, Red Oak would be classified as a rather inexpensive type of oak. 

Whereas Red Oak is a rather inexpensive type of oak, 4/4 Spessart Oak, 1-99 board feet, will range in price from between $22/board foot to $25/board foot. As compared to Red Oak, Spessart Oak would then be classified as a rather expensive type of oak. 

Spessart Oak – consisting of a fine texture – is a white oak found in the Spessart Forest in Germany. 


Red Oak is native to Canada – Nova Scotia and Ontario – as well as to the United States – Georgia, Mississippi, Nebraska and Oklahoma.

The new home the builder builds will, more likely than not, have oak cabinets. So, the type of cabinets the builder selects – combined with the type of oak used for those cabinets – will correlate to cabinet quality. And to cost. For example, using the two aforementioned types of oak – Red and Spessart – Spessart Oak cabinets will be more costly than Red Oak cabinets. 

We examined the cost of oak. As the type of oak – ranging from $5.00/board foot for Red Oak to $22 to $25/board foot for Spessart Oak – is determinative of the builder’s costs, in regard to his or her utilization of oak. As then so too will be the type of lumber used – in this case, oak – when it comes to the price of the home. Once construction of the home is complete. 

So let’s now look at SPF once again. This time, let’s look at the “P” – pine. And let’s look at the price of pine. 

The price of pine has a range. From mid-$2.00/board foot. To a high of $3.00/board foot. 

For example…

Builders can order 4/4 Eastern White Pine at a price of $2.50/board foot. 

While Poplar – a different type of pine – is more expensive. Poplar can be ordered by builders at $3.75/board foot. 


When building the home, White Pine and Poplar would be used for decorative elements. For interior trim. As well as for paneling.

So let’s look at framing. And lumber costs. For our 4,000 square foot home. 

4 x 4 Douglas fir will range in price from $10.00/board foot to $16.00/board foot. 

Let’s use a Douglas fir price of $15.00/board foot for our new 4,000 square foot home. And let’s say the builder needs 25,000 board feet of Douglas fir to build that new home.

25,000 board feet of Douglas fir – at a price of $15/board foot – would give us a total lumber cost of $375,000.