The Selection of the Winchester Site

Compiled by Karen M. Heady

In June of 1854, a man named William Gardiner was heading west on the Military Road from Fort Leavenworth to Fort Riley with homesteading in mind. About a day’s journey (18 miles) out of Leavenworth, he came to a place where he was at once impressed. Nearby was a very fine spring, a natural stopping place for weary, thirsty travelers.

Mr. Gardiner staked two claims, one on a river (Walnut Creek — marked in Section One on the map with a “dwelling,” which was quite probably the log cabin he built for his family in 1855); the other claim was right near the road, a quarter section he planted, which yielded an excellent crop of corn. This good farming, in all likelihood, drew other farmers to the area, creating a small settlement, which in turn drew “city” businesses.

Mr. Gardiner sold his claim nearer the Military Road to Joseph Best. Mr. Best built two log cabins that were connected to form a hotel. This first business flourished with both military and civilian travelers. This drew more people to the area to settle.

In 1857, the settlers decided to choose a site for their town. They chose a site near a spring (about 1 ½ miles further south along the Military Road than the present Winchester) and called it Savannah. However, the oldest settler wished to have a different location named Winchester, after his old home town in Virginia. They agreed to go along with him. So the present town of Winchester is where it is because of the oldest settler of that year — Alvin Best.

For water, the settlers hauled tubs on buckboards to the Walnut Creek Spring. It was said in 1938 that, “Men may come and men may go, but the spring will flow forever.” So far, it is true. In 1981, it was still one of Winchester’s main sources of water.

There is still only a small portion of the Military Road intact in Winchester today. It is the diagonal road just south of the Jefferson County North School Complex. My guess is that the settlers phased out the “road” soon after the government land survey “squared off” the land. The main businesses had been located on Main Street. As fires destroyed the frame structures and businesses prospered, many relocated into more permanent buildings along Third Street and Winchester Street, putting them closer to the railroad.

The railroad came through in 1872, running east and west between Delaware Street and Grasshopper Street. This made Winchester a thriving community, especially in the first quarter of the 1900s. When the railroad left in the 1930s, the town’s population started slipping. This was shortly after the depression years.

Sources: Kansas Historical Society Library and Maps Section in Topeka

Jefferson County Department of Engineers in Oskaloosa

Finley Abstract Office in Oskaloosa

 

The old Winchester Railroad Station and the Midland Elevator Co.
These buildings as well as the railroad itself, have been gone for many years. The occasion pictured above by Charles Forsyth was the arrival of the Leavenworth “Booster” train.
The following short notation is found in the Winchester Star, 21 October 1910 (page 4) — “The Leavenworth ‘Booster’ train made up of 110 passengers, representing different business firms of Leavenworth, arrived in Winchester on schedule time Wednesday morning. The band played and the passengers got busy and made the acquaintance of a number of our people. They left numerous souvenirs with our people.”

In this same issue of the Star (page 1) is the following advertisement: “Chas. Forsyth, Photographer; View, Portraits; Amatur Work and Supplies; Permanency Guaranteed; Phone No. 29.” Mr. Forsyth changed his ad for the next week’s paper to read: “Having secured the agency for the well known, popular Seneca Cameras, for both plates and film packs, I can now supply you with anything in that line. Call or write for latest illustrated catalogue and prices; Chas. Forsyth, Photographer, Winchester, Phone No. 29.”

This story appeared in “Yesteryears” in April 1981.