The Finney County Historical Museum opened a new exhibit in September in the Front Door Gallery showing scenes from the community’s history and asking visitors if they know or can guess each location.
The display, which will remain in place at least two months, is entitled “Where on Earth in Garden City?” It features 30 monochrome images, some as recent as the mid-1970s and others going back as far as the 1880s. The photographs are accompanied by a few artifacts from the museum’s collection, as well as short text identifying each site.
Those viewing the depictions will see no-longer existing landmarks such as homes, churches, stores, schools, hotels and restaurants, as well as street scenes, industrial and municipal facilities. A few feature interior views, though most represent exterior perspectives. At least a dozen of the photographs were taken in the downtown area, with others in residential neighborhoods, Lee Richardson Zoo or outside the city limits.
In some cases, buildings in a scene may still be standing, but with dramatically altered appearances; and in others, structures are shown that burned down or were demolished years ago. Older people or those who have lived in Garden City many years might be better able to identify some images, but museum staff members doubt that anyone can name all 30 locations.
The exhibit is open 1-5 p.m. daily, along with all other long-term and changing displays at the museum. Admission is free and the location is 403 S. Fourth Street in Garden City’s Frederick Finnup Park, adjacent to the zoo’s pedestrian arches.
The Front Door Gallery is a small space just inside the museum’s main entrance, where exhibits change periodically throughout the year. The displays are supported by the Steve Stone Memorial Fund. Previous Front Door features so far this year have featured the history of Garden City’s Arkansas River bridges and the new University Press of Kansas Book, “Las Madres,” by Dennis Garcia.
