Table of Contents

Full-Length Features Community Profile

Parsons Through the Years 4 Parsons was founded in 1870 and incorporated in 1871. The
Growing Up in Parsons 12 city was named for the president of the Missouri, Kansas & Tex-
Bringing the News 20 as Railroad at the time, Levi Parsons.
Sun Reflections 24 “Isaac T. Goodnow, N.S. Goss, F.C. White, O.B. Gunn, Nor-
Main Street Memories 28 man Eastman and Robert S. Stevens were incorporators of the
Generations 33 town company. The charter was filed with the secretary of state
A Family of Families 38 on Oct. 24, 1870.
When the Bottoms was Tops 42 The company was formed expressly for the purpose of laying
Viking Glory 51 off and building a railroad town. It was believed that the junction
of the two branches of the Katy was the most feasible point for

Short Features
Parsons Grocery Stores 31
Beneath the Learning Tree 47
Living on the Outside 48
A Look at the Past 49
The History of Commercial Bank 54
the town, where the railroad would almost certainly build ma-
chine shops and offices, according to Nelson Case’s “History of
Labette County.”
After initial difficulties in acquiring title to land, the town site
was platted and surveyed. The sale of lots commenced on March
8, 1871. Abraham Cary bought the first three tracts of land and
landed the first deed from the town company, lots 14, 15 and 16
in block 42. Block 42 is now bordered by 18th and Central and

Community Guide
Belmont and Broadway. The city’s population blossomed to 6,500
by 1882.
Labette County Sheriff 64 Rapid expansion and civic improvements made Parsons a thriv-
Courts 64 ing town, with the railroad and agriculture keys to its economy.
Development 64 By the turn of the century a business college and a state hospi-
Extension 64 tal had been founded in Parsons. Homes of the grandest design
College 65 and most elegant detail were constructed, many of which survive
Labette County Offices 65 today and contribute to the city’s beauty.
Schools 66 The Kansas Ordnance Plant was located here in 1941 to back
City of Parsons 67 the war effort. When the need for physicians and medical facili-
Other Cities in Labette County 68 ties became apparent in the late 1960s, Parsons began a construc-
tion and recruiting program that resulted in the most complete
medical services in the surrounding area.
In the 1970s, a massive urban renewal program was undertaken
ON THE COVER: This 1916 photo is part of a larger panorama from the Electric
to benefit the municipal facilities and the business district.
Studio. It looks to the southeast from the Main Street underpass. Two of the most
dominant buildings in town at the time (the Elks Theater and the Parsons Business Union Pacific Railroad purchased Katy Industries, along with
College) can be seen in the distance. the rail line, in 1988. The city received $1 million from the U.P. to
benefit the Parsons economy that suffered from the loss of jobs
WRITING/PHOTOS PRODUCTION SPECIAL THANKS
Cynthia Miller Dave Mattox because of the merger. The interest from this money has been
Colleen Williamson
Jamie Willey Michele Cave Mike Brotherton used to help businesses grow.
Ray Nolting Brenda Pitts Each year Katy Days celebrates the city’s railroad history.
Sean Frye ADVERTISING
Cynthia Miller Alissa Meier

PUBLISHER: Shanna Guiot