Barber County Kansas

Medicine Lodge, Barber County, Kansas

USGS Aerial Photo of Medicine Lodge, Barber County, Kansas, 21 March 1996.
USGS Aerial Photo of Medicine Lodge, Barber County, Kansas, 21 March 1996.
Scale: 1 pixel = 32 meters


The Kansas Gazeteer & Business Directory For 1882-1883

Medicine Lodge . An incorporated city, the county seat of Barbour county, is located at the confluence of the Medicine Lodge river and Elm creek, in the eastern central part of the county, 30 miles due west of Harper, on the KCL&SK RR, its nearest railroad point, from whence it has a daily mail stage and 75 southwest of Hutchinson, on the AT&SF RR. Originally settled in 1872, it now contains a population of 700, has Methodist and Christian churches, district schools and 2 weekly newspapers, the Cressett and the Index. Live stock is the chief shipment. Tri-weekly mail stage to Hutchinson; far $4.00. W.D. Van Slyke, postmaster.

(Contributed by Kim Fowles).

Historic Grand Hotel

History of Medicine Lodge


Post Office Book Store in Medicine Lodge, Kansas, 1880's -1890's.

Photograph from the collection of John Nixon.
Post Office Book Store in Medicine Lodge, Kansas, 1880's -1890's.
Photograph from the collection of John Nixon. All rights reserved.

"Post Office Book Store in Medicine Lodge, Kansas, 1880's -1890's. Located across the street from where the Home State Bank building is today. Home State was not built until 1920 so this was the prior building. Richardson's Dry Goods used to be in this same building. Looking east on Kansas Ave. with Dr. Kocile's house behind the building." -- John Nixon, 9 May 2008.


The Kansas Gazeteer & Business Directory For 1888-1889

Medicine Lodge . A progressive incorporated city of the third class, the county seat of Barber county, formerly called Barbour county, is located at the confluence of the Medicine River and Elm creek, in the eastern central part of the county, originally settled in 1872. It is the terminus of the M.L. br. of the SK Ry, 336 miles from Kansas City. Attica is 23 miles east. Has daily stages to and from Kingman, 45 miles northeast, Bross, 23 miles northeast, Pratt Centre, 28 miles northwest, Sawyer, 18 miles northwest, Isabel, 14 miles north, Saratoga, 36 miles northwest, Iuka, 44 miles northwest, Elm Mills, 15 miles north, Mingonia, 9 miles west, Lake City, 18 miles west, Sun City 25 miles west, Nescutunga, 45 miles west, Coldwater 54 miles west, Ashland, 80 miles west, Lodi, 15 miles southwest, Canema, 16 miles southwest, Aetna, 35 miles southwest, New Kiowa, 21 miles south, Old Kiowa, 18 miles south. It has Methodist, Presbyterian and Christian churches, large public school building, 2 banks, 3 weekly newspapers, the Index (Dem) the Cresset (Rep) and the Chief (Labor), and is a distributing point for a territory 25 by 50 miles. There are Masonic, Odd Fellows, K of P and Ancient Order of United Workmen lodges, Order of the Eastern Star and GAR Post. There are also 3 hotels, of which the Grand hotel is one of the finest and largest in Southern Kansas. Assessed valuation of personal property in the city, $110,397; real estate $228,145. No bonded or floating debt. Shipments, horses, live stock, wool and gypsum. Exp., W.,F. & Co. Tel., S.K. Population 1,500. Mail, daily. Thomas A. McClearey, postmaster.

(Contributed by Kim Fowles).


Barber County Courthouse 120 E. Washington St, Medicine Lodge, KS 67104
Phone: (620) 886-3961.   Fax: (620) 886-5425.

Lincoln Library, 201 N. Main, Medicine Lodge, KS 67104.
Phone: (620) 886-5746. Fax: (620) 886-9985.

Carrie Nation House, Highway 160, Medicine Lodge, KS 67104.
Phone: (620) 886-3908.

The Stockade Museum, Highway 160, Medicine Lodge, KS 67104.
Phone: (620) 886-3417.

Medicine Lodge Chamber of Commerce, 108 W. First Street, Medicine Lodge, KS 67104.
Phone: (620) 886-3417.


Medicine Lodge Newspapers:

Barber County Index, 106 W. First, P. O. Box 349, Medicine Lodge, KS 67104.
Phone: (620) 886-5617.

Gyp Hill Premiere, 110 N. Main, Medicine Lodge, Kansas 67104-0127
http://www.gyphillpremiere.com/
Phone: 620-886-5654.   Fax: 620-886-5655.

Photographs from Medicine Lodge, Barber County, Kansas

Photography by Nathan Lee, 2006.

Barber County Court House, Medicine Lodge, Kansas.
Barber County Court House, Medicine Lodge, Kansas
120 East Washington Street, Medicine Lodge, KS 67104-1421
Phone: (620) 886-3961. Fax: (620) 886-5425.
Photo by Nathan Lee, October 2006.

Medicine Lodge Memorial Hospital, Medicine Lodge, Barber County, Kansas.

Photo by Nathan Lee, October 2006.
Medicine Lodge Memorial Hospital, Medicine Lodge, Barber County, Kansas
Photo by Nathan Lee, October 2006.

Barber County Veterans Memorial, Medicine Lodge, Kansas.

Photo by Nathan Lee, October 2006.
Barber County Veterans Memorial, Medicine Lodge, Kansas
Photo by Nathan Lee, October 2006.

Peace Treaty Statue, Medicine Lodge, Barber County,  Kansas.

Photo by Nathan Lee, October 2006.
Peace Treaty Statue, Medicine Lodge, Barber County, Kansas.
Photo by Nathan Lee, October 2006.

Peace Treaty Statue, Medicine Lodge, Barber County,  Kansas.

Photo by Nathan Lee, October 2006.
Peace Treaty Statue, Medicine Lodge, Barber County, Kansas.
Photo by Nathan Lee, October 2006.

Bronze Plaque at the base of the Peace Treaty Statue, Medicine Lodge, Barber County,  Kansas.

'TO COMMEMORATE THE SIGNING OF
THE PEACE TREATIES BETWEEN THE
UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT AND
THE FIVE TRIBES OF PLAINS INDIANS
AT MEDICINE LODGE, KANS., OCT. 21 - 28, 1867.'

Photo by Nathan Lee, October 2006.
Bronze Plaque at the base of the Peace Treaty Statue, Medicine Lodge, Barber County, Kansas.
Photo by Nathan Lee, October 2006.

"TO COMMEMORATE THE SIGNING OF
THE PEACE TREATIES BETWEEN THE
UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT AND
THE FIVE TRIBES OF PLAINS INDIANS
AT MEDICINE LODGE, KANS., OCT. 21 - 28, 1867."

Medicine Lodge Grade School, Medicine Lodge, Barber County, Kansas.
Medicine Lodge Grade School, Medicine Lodge, Barber County, Kansas.
Photo by Nathan Lee, October 2006.

Medicine Lodge Middle School, old Lincoln Library at left.

Photo by Nathan Lee, October 2006.
Medicine Lodge Middle School, old Lincoln Library at left
Photo by Nathan Lee, October 2006.

New Lincoln Library, Medicine Lodge, Barber County, Kansas.

Photo by Nathan Lee, October 2006.
Lincoln Library, Medicine Lodge, Barber County, Kansas
201 N. Main, Medicine Lodge, KS 67104.   Phone: (620) 886-5746. Fax: (620) 886-9985.
Photo by Nathan Lee, October 2006.

Medicine Lodge Stockade Commemorative Sign, Medicine Lodge, Barber County, Kansas.

Photo by Nathan Lee, October 2006.
Medicine Lodge Stockade Commemorative Sign, Medicine Lodge, Barber County, Kansas
Photo by Nathan Lee, October 2006.

MEDICINE LODGE STOCKADE

The Southwest Corner of the Original Stockade was located near this point. The Militia consisted of many young men who had no families, therefore they were kept scouting most of the time. There were over 100 miles of state line to guard. The outfit and rations of a scout consisted of a Carbine rifle, 100 cartridges, bacon, sugar, coffee, and a grain sack that held five days rations and included army crackers. All of this was tied to the saddle with a frying pan and coffee bucket. The rations became pretty stale towards the end of their trip. The Militia's job was to guard and keep the territory from Caldwell to Dodge City, then south to the Cimarron River clear of any marauding bands of Indians.

Sponsored by the Medicine Lodge Guest Tax Committee.

Medicine Lodge Stockade Commemorative Sign, Medicine Lodge, Barber County, Kansas.

Photo by Nathan Lee, December 2006.
Medicine Lodge Stockade Commemorative Sign, Medicine Lodge, Barber County, Kansas
Photo by Nathan Lee, December 2006.

MEDICINE LODGE STOCKADE

In 1874, during a period of Indian Raids in Western and Southern Kansas, the Governor, Thomas A. Osborne, organized the Kansas State Guards. Sun City and Medicine Lodge furnished the companies for this section of the state. The Stockadge was built by the Militia and Citizens of Medicine Lodge. Guards were posted inside the Stockade walls. The walls of the Stockade were made of cedar posts that stood about 9 ft. high. They were placed side by side and set on end in the ground. The drill ground was outside and to the southeast of the Stockade. Many times 200 or more people would gather in the Stockade with wagon teams, cattle and dogs. The Southeast Corner of the Stockade was located near this point.

Sponsored by the Medicine Lodge Guest Tax Committee.


Kansas State Guards Militia & the Indian Raids:

Medicine Lodge Stockade Museum, Medicine Lodge, Barber County, Kansas.

Photo by Nathan Lee, October 2006.
Medicine Lodge Stockade Museum, Medicine Lodge, Barber County, Kansas
Highway 160, Medicine Lodge, KS 67104.   Phone: (620) 886-3417.
Note the Carry Nation home at the right side of this photograph.
Photo by Nathan Lee, October 2006.

Carry Nation Home, Medicine Lodge, Barber County, Kansas.

Photo by Nathan Lee, October 2006.
Carry Nation Home, Medicine Lodge, Barber County, Kansas
Highway 160, Medicine Lodge, KS 67104.   Phone: (620) 886-3908.
Photo by Nathan Lee, October 2006.

Medicine Lodge Presbyterian Church, Medicine Lodge, Barber County, Kansas.

Photo by Nathan Lee, October 2006.
Medicine Lodge Presbyterian Church, Medicine Lodge, Barber County, Kansas
Photo by Nathan Lee, October 2006.

Medicine Lodge Methodist Church, Medicine Lodge, Barber County, Kansas.

Photo by Nathan Lee, October 2006.
Medicine Lodge Methodist Church, Medicine Lodge, Barber County, Kansas.
Photo by Nathan Lee, October 2006.

Medicine Lodge Episcopalian Church, Medicine Lodge, Barber County, Kansas.

Photo by Nathan Lee, October 2006.
Medicine Lodge Episcopalian Church, Medicine Lodge, Barber County, Kansas
Photo by Nathan Lee, October 2006.

The Grand Hotel, Medicine Lodge, Barber County, Kansas.

Photo by Nathan Lee, October 2006.

CLICK HERE to view much larger image.
The Grand Hotel, Medicine Lodge, Barber County, Kansas
Photo by Nathan Lee, October 2006.
View Much Larger Image

People's Bank, Medicine Lodge, Barber County, Kansas.

Photo by Nathan Lee, October 2006.
People's Bank, Medicine Lodge, Barber County, Kansas
Photo by Nathan Lee, October 2006.

Medicine Lodge Swimming Pool, Medicine Lodge, Barber County, Kansas, 15 December 2006.

Photo courtesy of Nathan Lee.
Medicine Lodge Swimming Pool, built in the summer of 2006
Medicine Lodge, Barber County, Kansas
Photo by Nathan Lee, 15 December 2006.

The Heritage Center near Medicine Lodge, Barber County, Kansas, 15 December 2006.

Photo courtesy of Nathan Lee.

CLICK HERE for more information about the Heritage Center.
The Heritage Center near Medicine Lodge, Barber County, Kansas, 15 December 2006.
Photo courtesy of Nathan Lee.

The Barber County State Fishing Lake on the north edge of Medicine Lodge, Barber County, Kansas, 15 December 2006.

Photo courtesy of Nathan Lee.

CLICK HERE for more information about the Barber County State Fishing Lake.
The Barber County State Fishing Lake on the north edge of Medicine Lodge, Barber County, Kansas, 15 December 2006.
Photo courtesy of Nathan Lee.

Medicine Lodge Municipal Airport, Medicine Lodge, Barber County, Kansas, 15 December 2006.

Photo courtesy of Nathan Lee.
Medicine Lodge Municipal Airport, Medicine Lodge, Barber County, Kansas, 15 December 2006.
Photo courtesy of Nathan Lee.

Kansas Championship Ranch Rodeo Grounds, Medicine Lodge, Barber County, Kansas, 15 December 2006.

Photo courtesy of Nathan Lee.
Kansas Championship Ranch Rodeo Grounds, Medicine Lodge, Barber County, Kansas, 15 December 2006.
For more infomation on this WRCA Sanctioned Rodeo, contact Kaye Kuhn: 620-886-9815.
Photo courtesy of Nathan Lee.

Medicine Lodge Peace Treaty Pageant Grounds near Medicine Lodge, Barber County, Kansas, 15 December 2006.

Photo courtesy of Nathan Lee.

CLICK HERE for more information about the Medicine Lodge Peace Treaty Pageant Grounds.
Memorial Peace Park Entrance
Medicine Lodge Peace Treaty Pageant Grounds near Medicine Lodge, Barber County, Kansas, 15 December 2006.
Photo courtesy of Nathan Lee.

Wisner Fountain, Medicine Lodge, Barber County, Kansas, 15 December 2006.

Photo courtesy of Nathan Lee.
Wisner Fountain, Medicine Lodge, Barber County, Kansas, 15 December 2006.
Looking east. Located just west of Intermediate (Middle) School on north Main Street.
Note the drinking fountain at curbside for public watering of horses.
Photo courtesy of Nathan Lee.

1912 Cook Block Medicine Lodge


Also see the following pages with photographs by Nathan Lee:


Thanks to Nathan Lee for taking and contributing the above photographs to this web site!


More pages on this site about Medicine Lodge:

 

 

 


Medicine Lodge Peace Council


Off-site Links:


The 1949 Medicine Lodge city directory, call# K/910/-M46/1949, is available through interlibrary loan from The Kansas State Historical Society.


The Grand Hotel, Medicine Lodge, Barber County, Kansas, courtesy of Beverly Horney McCollom and Marilou West Ficklin.
The Grand Hotel, Medicine Lodge, Barber County, Kansas.
Photo courtesy Beverly (Horney) McCollom and Marilou West Ficklin.


Also see:

MURDER AND SUICIDE: Frank E. Lockwood is Shot by Lillian Quinn, Who at Once Commits Suicide, The Medicine Lodge Cresset, November 18, 1886. Frank Lockwood was one of the owners of the Grand Hotel.

The Grand Hotel, Medicine Lodge, Barber County, Kansas.

Meandering column by Bev McCollom, from The Gyp Hill Premiere, 29 Oct 2007.

Dr. John G. Hoffer, Jr. - During his more than 35 years of practice at Medicine Lodge Memorial Hospital, Dr. Hoffer never lost a patient in surgery. Dr. Hoffer was honored in 1976 for his many years of outstanding service to Medicine Lodge at an awards ceremony in which he was overwhelmed by the turnout and outpouring of appreciation and affection from the community.


Medicine Lodge School c 1917 Military Photo



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