Saturday, January 24, 2009

Exploring is about asking questions




The manure spreader seems like a perfect place for this sign but who put it there?

What were the early days like at this YMCA in Mankato?

Do you really have to go into the women's restroom in the Decatur Co. Courthouse to get your driver's license?

Who thought of putting heels on fence posts instead of boots?

Why did this town keep their old yield sign?

There was once a Whittle and Argue Club in Eureka? Tell me more!

The very best way to have the maximum Explorer experience in a small town is to ask questions. If you just keep your eyes open you'll always find a conversation-starter.

Talking to the locals is the key and if you do they'll help you "Get Kansas!"

KE #2 Marci Penner

8 comments:

Jenni said...

I'd like to know who thought of putting old boots on fenceposts and why as well. Where's the yield sign?

Unknown said...

Re the "Whittle and Argue club":
This bench was located at the Greenwood Hotel, in Eureka. Forrest Kling, the hotel owner, located the bench there to get a little local publicity. Interestingly, people DID generate a considerable amount of chin music about this addition. A number of retirees could often be found there, solving world problems. Discussions sometimes became heated, however no knife fights ever resulted. This was very disappointing to me, as a kid.

Unknown said...

Jenni, I have read that a boot on a fence post was sometimes used to let visitors know that a rural resident was at home. When the boot was on the fence the homeowner was in; when the boot was off the fencepost, they were out.

Get Kansas! said...

The stories are many about why boots are left on fence posts. The best one I've heard is that they were placed there because the smell would keep the coyotes away from livestock. Other stories are that the rancher couldn't bear to throw away his boots so he placed them on the fence as a reminder.

Get Kansas! said...

Jackson, thanks so much for your response about the Whittle and Argue Club! That was new information to me. Thanks!

Get Kansas! said...

Jenni, over the years I will find slides that Dad and I have taken that don't have a town listed on them. The yield sign is one of those, are is the row of fenceposts with high heels. If anyone knows where either are found, please let us know!

Unknown said...

I'm sure there's some truth to every one of these explanations.

Anonymous said...

When I was in Victoria a couple of weeks ago, I was pleased by the many signs on poles proclaiming that the Cathedral of the Plains was one of the 8 Wonders of Kansas. But I was amused by the back of this one: http://www.kansastravel.org/09clinesmortuary.JPG