History
Company 788, CCC, was formed at Camp Whiteside, Fort Riley, Kansas, May 19, 1933. The company was made up of Kansas boys, the largest percentage coming from the eastern part of the state.
After conditioning at Fort Riley, the . . . — — Map (db m50189) HM
We dedicate this monument to the 3.5 million men of the Civilian Conservation Corps. We celebrate their legacy of accomplishments they left for the future to enjoy.
This is the home of Camp Farlington, Co. 788th "Fire Devils" SCS-10-L, who built . . . — — Map (db m50187) HM
Another advantage the Civilian Conservation Corps offered to its enrollees was the chance to further their education. In their spare time, they could enroll in classes, such as radio operator and maintenance, surveying, photography, leather works, . . . — — Map (db m50207) HM
By 1936, the progress of building the dam was greatly accelerated with the arrival of new heavy equipment. The men now had excavators, dump trucks, caterpillar tractors, box sleds, and a pull-type grader.
The CCC camp had storage sheds for . . . — — Map (db m50234) HM
Proof of how hard times were during the Great Depression, this CCC recruiting poster depicts a young man wearing a clean, pressed uniform with a plate of food. Another incentive to enroll into the CCC was a $30.00 a month salary with $25.00 . . . — — Map (db m50192) HM
"We used mules and dump wagons before we got dump trucks," said Stanley Dolinar.
Prior to 1935, the majority of earth was moved by mule teams pulling slip buckets and wagons.
On display here is a pair of slip buckets actually used to . . . — — Map (db m50235) HM
This lake constructed
by the
United States
Department of Agriculture
Soil Conservation Service
Civilian Conservation Corps
cooperating with Kansas State
Forestry-Fish-Game Commission — — Map (db m50236) HM
The story of the Civilian Conservation Corps cannot be told without knowing the tale of the times from which it was created. The stock market crash of 1929, which led to the Great Depression coupled with the lack of soil conservation enabled the . . . — — Map (db m50186) HM
You Are Here! The Water Tower. Rumor had it that whoever had the job of testing and chlorinating the drinking water in the tower received more than his share of ribbing from the men. The only recorded time of discontent was over the sulfur . . . — — Map (db m50233) HM
The 788th Co. was nicknamed the Fire Devils because of its reputation for putting out prairie fires while stationed at Camp Ruteledge in Minnesota. The nickname remained with the company throughout service. The men were proud of their reputation . . . — — Map (db m50210) HM
The Farlington project started with a creek bed surrounded by trees and brush that had to be cut and hauled away. In fact, 90 percent of the work to build Crawford State Lake was done by hand. As one volunteer claimed, "You worked, and you worked . . . — — Map (db m50190) HM
On 7th Street west of Broadway (Business U.S. 69), on the left when traveling west.
Moved to present location
September 12, 2012
Designed for applications that require blasts of air for long distances. Used in coal mining industry to force fresh air into the shafts. — — Map (db m72361) HM
On 7th Street west of Broadway (Business U.S. 69), on the left when traveling west.
Moved from Chicopee to present location
July 19, 2012
The hoist had cables on the drum that were used to raise and lower coal cars from the mine, Circa Late 1800s-Early 1900s — — Map (db m72362) HM
On 7th Street west of Broadway (Business U.S. 69), on the left when traveling west.
Used in strip-mining operations to remove the overburden of soil from coal seams.
Owned by Wilkinson Coal Company
Donated by Wendell & Lynda Wilkinson
Dedicated January 13, 2013 — — Map (db m72353) HM
On Broadway Street (Business U.S. 69) at 5th Street, on the right when traveling north on Broadway Street.
Constructed by John Nepote with help of Ray Hamblin, Melvin Patrick and a host of friends and volunteers. Historic artifacts (Angels and Sacred Heart) are from St. Philip Neri Catholic Church which was located in Franklin from 1915-2004. The . . . — — Map (db m36834) HM
On 5th Street near Broadway Street (Business U.S. 69), on the right when traveling east.
On this site stood the original
Franklin Grade School and Playground
1907
This bench is made from a marble
window ledge from the 2 story brick
Franklin School House — — Map (db m36761) HM
On 5th Street near Broadway Street (Business U.S. 69), on the right when traveling east.
Originally there were 3 school buildings in the community. This bell sat atop the large two story, eight room brick building that was originally the high school and later became the grade school. The schools were in operation from . . . — — Map (db m36742) HM
On Broadway (Business U.S. 69) at 7th Street, on the left when traveling south on Broadway.
Constructed in 1936 with federal funding assistance, the Franklin Sidewalk connects two rural mining communities in Crawford County - Franklin and Arma. The 3' wide sidewalk stretches 1.7 miles. It has become well known as the "longest sidewalk . . . — — Map (db m72352) HM
On 5th Street near Broadway Street (Business U.S. 69), on the right when traveling east.
owned and operated the Pritchett Insurance and Real Estate Agency in Pittsburg, Ks. for more than 50 years.
This park is one of the results of a trust they established with a mission to improve the quality of life in Pittsburg and Crawford . . . — — Map (db m36831) HM
On McKay Street near Crawford Street, on the left when traveling east.
Honoring All Who Served
"We pledge allegiance to the flag
of the United States of America
and to the Republic for which it stands,
one nation under God,
indivisible, with liberty and
justice for all."
The City of . . . — — Map (db m117426) WM
On Parkview Drive (U.S. 69) south of McKay Street, on the right when traveling south.
This Flag symbolizes Liberty and Justice for all.
The John F. Derby Post No. 43 Frontenac American Legion is proud to display and maintain this flag for all those who died defending it and those who live under it. — — Map (db m63690) WM
On McKay Street at the railroad grade crossing, on the right when traveling east on McKay Street.
To show our appreciation to the U.S. military men and women, past, present and future, for their sacrifices, dedication and service to our country. — — Map (db m71511) WM
On Ozark Street at Prairie Street, on the left when traveling north on Ozark Street.
[Honor Roll of Names on Black Granite]
April 15, 1995
This UH-1H "Huey" helicopter was donated by Department of the Army and Kansas Army National Guard to Girard Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7479 through the efforts of All American Post . . . — — Map (db m36946) HM WM
On 620th Avenue (State Highway 47) 1 mile east of Summit Street (State Highway 7), on the left when traveling east.
This flag is lifted high and flies gallantly above this memorial in honor of those who served from those who care.
May God bless you all. — — Map (db m50133) WM
On Prairie Street near Ozark Street, on the left when traveling east.
To the loving memory of those men and women who gave their lives in all past wars and to all veterans who served our great country, we dedicate this memorial as a symbol of your sacrifices. — — Map (db m36929) WM
On Summit Street (State Highway 7) at Prairie Street, on the left when traveling south on Summit Street.
Dr. Charles H. Strong was a native of Girard, Pennsylvania.
Dr. Strong's dream came true when he decided to go deer hunting and possibly locate the geographical center of Crawford County, which had just been established in Southeast Kansas . . . — — Map (db m36928) HM
On 620th Avenue (State Highway 47) 0.5 miles east of 60th Street, on the right when traveling east.
According to legend, in 1869, Father Phillip Colleton was caught at this site by a furious hail and thunderstorm. The frightened priest took refuge under his saddle and vowed that if his life was spared, he would build a church on this spot. The . . . — — Map (db m46241) HM
On 2nd Street near Pine Street, on the right when traveling west.
Among the many significant European immigrants in Kansas history is Alexander Howat, President of District 14 of the United Mine Workers of America. He was chiefly responsible for the organization of a powerful and militant union membership in the . . . — — Map (db m35668) HM
On this site Carney Hall stood from 1919 until it was torn down in 1979 due to structural problems. The site of classes, theater, lectures and musical performances, it was named in honor of the third governor of Kansas, the Honorable Thomas . . . — — Map (db m44116) HM
Near South Joplin Street, 0.1 miles west of East Lindburg Street.
Chandler Hall stood on this site from 1922 until 2002. Built as the first campus cafeteria, the building was occupied by the Home Economics Department, now the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences. It was dedicated as Chandler Hall in 1964 to . . . — — Map (db m22114) HM
On 4th Street (State Highway 126) at Chestnut Street, on the left when traveling west on 4th Street.
Built for the enjoyment of all
the citizens of Pittsburg
Dedicated on June 8th 1999.
Dr. Paul Bannon Leffler practiced medicine in Pittsburg from 1945 to 1977.
He lived the Rotary Motto
"Service Above Self" — — Map (db m59573) HM
On 4th Street (State Highway 126) at Elm Street, on the left when traveling west on 4th Street.
was listed in the
National Register of Historic Places
by the
U.S. Department of the Interior
National Park Service
July 10, 2017 — — Map (db m129470) HM
On 2nd Street near Walnut Street, on the right when traveling west.
Frontenac, Kansas first came into being when the coal mining industry moved into the area during the late 1800s. The Santa Fe Railroad leased the land around what is present-day Frontenac, and formed the Cherokee and Pittsburg Coal and Mining . . . — — Map (db m35604) HM
On Joplin Street near 29th Street, on the left when traveling north.
To the loving memory of those men
and women who gave their lives in all
past wars, and to all veterans who served
our great country, we dedicate this tank
as a symbol of your sacrifices.
This M-60 forty five ton Army tank was donated . . . — — Map (db m41992) WM
On U.S. 69, 0.7 miles south of Atkinson Road, on the right when traveling south.
Green Elm School was a one-room school house built in the 1870's in southeast Kansas. It was located in the southwest corner of Crawford County, seven miles north and one mile west of McCune, Kansas. The school held classes 1872-1955 and employed . . . — — Map (db m84737) HM
On U.S. 69, 0.7 miles south of Atkinson Road, on the right when traveling south.
H.R. Browns Grocery was one of the last neighborhood grocery stores in Pittsburg, Kansas. By 1912, there were seventy-nine retail grocery stores in Pittsburg. Their strength was in their relative convenience for their customers. Regular customers . . . — — Map (db m84741) HM
In tribute to all veterans who
so loyally served their country
Flag flying today in memory of
____________
and these men who gave their lives
in service of their country
World War II
Albertson, Henry • Bazin, Lawrence . . . — — Map (db m34649) WM
On 2nd Street near Broadway Street (U.S. 69), on the right when traveling west.
During the latter half of the 19th century and the early part of the 20th century a diverse population of European immigrants came to Southeast Kansas in search of a better life. The first view of Pittsburg for many was from the depot of the Frisco . . . — — Map (db m34247) HM
Near East 4th Street (State Highway 126), on the left when traveling east.
Locomotive 488 was built July 1906, in Pittsburgh, Pa. In 1925, it underwent major changes in Pittsburg, Ks. and changed to Locomotive 1023. Track was laid and locomotive was installed in Schlanger Park on September 17, 1955, after the city had . . . — — Map (db m69838) HM
On U.S. 69/169, on the right when traveling south.
Founded in 1876 on lands formerly held by the Cherokee Indian Nation. Pittsburg became an early center for railroads, lead and zinc smelting, coal mining, clay tile and mining machinery manufacturing. The Kansas State Teachers College was . . . — — Map (db m41989) HM
On East Cleveland Street, 0.1 miles west of South Joplin Steet, on the left when traveling west.
On this site stood the first university gymnasium/fieldhouse. Built in 1922, it was torn down in 1972, following the opening of the Garfield W. Weede Physical Education Building. Several bricks and the building plaque from the gymnasium are featured . . . — — Map (db m22311) HM
(Center Panel)
"Pittsburg State University
honors sons and daughters
who answered the call
of the nation.
We are ever grateful
for their many sacrifices
in peace and war
that freedom would prevail."
(Left Panel) . . . — — Map (db m20299) HM
On West 2nd Street at Walnut Street, on the right when traveling west on West 2nd Street.
Phase One: Pioneer Mining
The coal fields of Cherokee and Crawford Counties covered over 300 square miles of land, making it a prime area for coal mining. When early settlers first moved into the area in the 1800's, they were amazed to see . . . — — Map (db m35571) HM
On 2nd Street at Pine Street, on the right when traveling west on 2nd Street.
The women’s march of 1921 epitomizes the spirit of the Kansas Balkans, an area known for its rich cultural heritage and turbulent strike-ridden history. On December 12 of that year, 3,000 (by some reports up to 6,000) women—wives and other . . . — — Map (db m35692) HM
On Pine Street at 6th Street, on the left when traveling north on Pine Street.
With the vision of universal freedom
for all mankind
this tree is dedicated to
Col. William H. Nelson
and all
Prisoners of War
and
Missing in Action — — Map (db m53029) WM
On 2nd Street at Walnut Street, on the right when traveling west on 2nd Street.
With the discovery of coal in Cherokee and Crawford Counties in the late 1860's, thousands came to work the mines. Some came from American towns and cities but most were immigrants from Europe. Over fifty nationalities settled in this area. Many . . . — — Map (db m35522) HM
On 2nd Street near Pine Street, on the right when traveling west.
The 1st Deep Mine, Scammonville, KS
In 1874 four brothers from Illinois, the Scammon brothers, pioneered new methods of mining coal in southeastern Kansas, digging the first mine shaft in Cherokee County. Although many doubted that their . . . — — Map (db m35605) HM
On 2nd Street near Pine Street, on the right when traveling west.
• William Wilkinson was born in Pelton Fell, England in 1862. He worked in the mines from the age of 10 and came to Weir City, Kansas, in 1883 at the age of 20 to continue mining.
• In 1917, he started his own deep mine a mile south of . . . — — Map (db m35606) HM
On U.S. 69/160, on the right when traveling south.
This shovel was donated by Wilkinson Inc in order to create a permanent symbol of our southeast Kansas coal mining heritage
McNally Pittsburg Inc was responsible for the relocation and renovation of the shovel to its present condition
July 4 . . . — — Map (db m41990) HM