A little history of the old west….
Welcome back. Coffeyville, Kansas where back in 1892 the Dalton gang tried to rob two banks at the same time and if you haven’t heard it didn’t go well. There is a museum dedicated to the bank robbers in downtown Coffeyville right where it all happened and I learned that every October the town holds Dalton Defender Days, a big festival commemorating the event. The museum and the festival are well worth a visit but there is a lot more to this town. The Brown Mansion alone is worth a trip to see this elaborate 1900s era home and its gardens. Then there’s the Coffeyville fairgrounds, a beautiful piece of property where many different events are held throughout the year including the big Interstate Fair and Rodeo. Coffeyville Community College is also in the center of town and that’s where I was this past Friday and Saturday attending the 2nd Annual Interstate Farm and Home Show.
Going to these types of events always gives me the chance to visit with folks and look around in whatever town I happen to be in. In this case my walk through downtown Coffeyville and around the campus of the community college turned up more than one piece of interesting history about the town. Founded in 1869, Coffeyville was the first trading post you came to after leaving Indian Territory which later became Oklahoma. Today that small trading post has been turned into quite the industrial center. Coffeyville Resource produces 100,000 barrels of refined oil a day and also has a large nitrogen fertilizer plant making them one of the town’s largest employers but John Deere, Acme Foundry, Cessna Aircraft and a handful of other companies all play a big role in the community.
Many may remember the flood of 2007 here in Coffeyville when a third of the town was underwater after the nearby Verdigris River went 10 feet over its banks. This natural disaster was covered by all the national networks but friends from what I could see this past weekend there is little sign of flood damage now. From its historic downtown area to its many beautiful period home this community in the southeast corner of the State of Kansas has a lot to offer. I will be looking forward to the Third Annual Farm and Home show next year and you might just put it on your calendar as well. Want to know more/ Check with their Chamber of Commerce– that’s what I do when visiting a new town.
This coming weekend I’ll be back in Oklahoma City where I’m putting together a story about gun shows. R&K Shows out of Iowa is one of the largest in the country and they are having a show at the Oklahoma City fairgrounds. With all the conversations currently going on about guns, I’m hoping to get an interview with the owner of the show.
Till next time, I’ll see ya down the road…………….
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