Valley Falls, 1883

A Wealthy, Healthy and Prosperous Jefferson County Town

From the Atchison Daily Champion, January 16, 1883

Although not a county seat, Valley Falls has long been known as the head business center of Jefferson county. Here people come to trade from a radius of from five to fifteen miles north, south, east and west, because this is the recognized political, as well as otherwise, center, and because they can do better. It was a trading point as early as 1855, but of the then old landmarks few, if any, are left to tell of the growth, the accumulation of wealth, and the prosperity that has followed the building up of the town from that time up to the present day. Of the adversities no one seems to say anything about them. All who are here are making money, enlarging their business and extending the trade.

Valley Falls is the best town between Atchison and Topeka, situated half way, and has long been recognized by the officials as among the largest shipping points on the lines of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe and Kansas Central railroads, at which place they cross. W.C. Butts, a most efficient agent, and one of the oldest on the road, opened the station here eleven years ago, and a few years later when the Kansas Central was completed, was appointed their agent, since which time he has occupied the same position for both roads with credit to himself and usefulness to his employers. The business at the station has wonderfully increased in all these years, until now it takes several clerks beside Mr. Butts to dispatch business.

The town is built on a slight elevation, the Delaware river running by on the south and east, forming a sort of basin. The land is of the richest quality, and is capable of producing a yield of any cereal equal to any other portion of the State. It is principally adapted to raising corn and stock, though quite as much small grain was raised last year as has ever been known.

The Valley Falls elevator, Messers Hayward & Co., proprietors, have shipped since the first of October 140 cars of shelled corn, 30 cars of wheat, 60 cars of flax and 20 cars oats alone. Then the firm of Isaac Friend & Son have shipped a large number of car loads, buying on track.

Valley Falls is built up substantially. The solid blocks of brick business houses that adorn her principal thoroughfare are creditable to M.P. Hillyer, one of the first settlers, the place owes much of its pride, for the large amount of wealth he expended in the construction of so many blocks of elegant buildings. It would not be out of place to calling “Hillyerville” or “Hillyertown.” There are but few brick buildings in the place that his money has not been invested in. Much of the residence portion is built on the outskirts, and there are many elegant stone and brick houses of the business people.

Of the business of the town, it is tremendous. “Dull Times” seldom calls around among our merchants. “Failure is played out.” The 1,200 solid population are generally thrifty, energetic and prosperous. Merchants are not called upon for “trust,” as formerly, and are employing more clerks than ever before; and farmers were never in a more healthy and prosperous condition. Every plot of ground hereabouts has been fenced, and they raise and feed upon their own lands instead of their neighbors. The “croakers” all emigrated from here many years ago.

With the immense trade contiguous to Valley Falls has necessitated the erection of two flouring mills, owned and operated by Henry Legler and J.M. Piazzek, who manufacture annually hundreds of car loads of flour for shipment; a woolen mill by J.M. Piazzek; two oil mills, run in connection with the grist mills; a commodious elevator, by Howard & Co.; two reliable banking houses; two lumber yards, and many other smaller industries. One of the finest stores, as well as the largest in Northeastern Kansas is that of Friend & Son, whose double building is stocked with goods.

There are also seven church buildings completed, two of which belong to the colored people. There is also a commodious brick school house with five departments, all largely attended.

The popular French hotel had adopted the first step towards naming the place “Hillyerville,” before suggested, R.D. Simpson, the enterprising proprietor blotted out the word “French” and inserted the “Hillyer.” The Hillyer House has long been the headquarters for commercial boys while in Valley Falls, and is one of the very best hotels in the State.

This story appeared in “Yesteryears” in October 1983.