by Marcia Napier, Grain Valley Historical Society


When I am struggling for a topic, which is often, I go to the Historical Society newspaper files. This week I turned to the 25-year old articles and I opened the file to an article entitled “Age before Beauty.” The headline was in reference to choosing an old building with historical significance over a beautiful new building. The building which currently houses our museum at 506 Main was purchased 25 years ago. So, over the next few weeks I’ll be writing about our “home".

Twenty-five years ago, Paul Morganroth was president of the Grain Valley Historical Society. About three years prior, the East Broadway Development Company had given the society a lot on Broadway Street, east of Buckner Tarsney. The land included an old Sni-A-Bar silo and some members had hope to include the silo as a part of the museum. The land was valued at $10,000.

Fast forward to 1998. The same development company that had given the site on Broadway offered to take back the land and deduct $10,000 from the $70,000 purchase price of the Main Street building. John Washburn was the building chairman. Over the previous three years, the society had raised just over $16,000 for construction of a new building.

Washburn immediately raised the fundraising goal from $30,000 to $60,000 in order to pay off the building and do the necessary renovations needed to make the building usable as a museum and meeting space. Over the next few weeks, I will be telling you the history of our building since its’ inception in the early 1900s.
 

 by Marcia Napier, Grain Valley Historical Society

             
This week I thought I would write about a typical Grain Valley Summer in the 1950s, and then I remembered that before I sat down at the computer I was going to go to the Grain Valley and Blue Springs cemeteries to water the flowers. And that is how this week’s article came to be! Hopefully it will spark some pleasant memories for you.
 
I imagine that most of you who read this column are “older” like me and can relate to my memories of Memorial Day. My grandmother always referred to it as Decoration Day, from the early tradition of decorating graves with flowers, wreaths and flags. Begun during the Civil War, Decoration Day was for remembrance of those who have died in service to our country. For decades, it was observed on May 30th, the date General Logan had selected for the first Decoration Day, presumably because flowers would be in bloom throughout the nation.
 
The name "Memorial Day", which was first attested in 1882, gradually became more common than "Decoration Day" after World War II but was not declared the official name by federal law until 1967. In 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which established Memorial Day as the last Monday in May in order to create a three-day weekend for federal employees.
 
Many things come to mind when I think about the day. First and foremost, it meant school had ended for the summer! It also meant a picnic with lots of great food Sometimes we gathered at someone’s house. Sometimes it was just family, but usually some friends were included.
 
But before the “fun” began, there was the serious side. We would visit the family graves at the Blue Springs Cemetery and the Herrington (later called Grain Valley) Cemetery. In those days, everyone took fresh cut flowers. The planning began several days in advance when large tin cans or fruit jars were assembled to hold the flowers. They were covered with aluminum foil and often a ribbon or bow was tied around the container. People actually kept bows from funeral flowers to use on the jars!
 
Flowers were gathered for a few days prior to Decoration Day. Peonies were picked as buds and placed in the refrigerator, either in a container of water, or the stems were wrapped in damp towels and placed in the “crisper” drawer along with the veggies! There were iris and spirea, and daisies and roses. Did anyone else use asparagus fern for greenery?  When the day arrived we all took our flowers to my grandparent’s house where arrangements were made and put in wooden crates for the trip to the cemeteries.
 
Once we arrived, in a two-car caravan we had to find a place to park. Unlike today when families take flowers all weekend, in those days we only went on Decoration Day so parking was sometimes at a premium. Remember, the flowers were “fresh” and would probably only last one or two days. We all got out of the cars,  placed the flowers around on the various graves and them we stood around a talked for a while.  Not unlike visitations and funerals today, Decoration Day was almost a social event.  We often saw folks we hadn’t seen in a year, not since last year at the cemetery.
 
My mother once said she didn’t care if there was only one flower on her grave, it had better be alive. I’ve never forgotten how she felt, so NO artificial flowers as long as I’m able to place a live one there. Even at Christmas, the wreaths are fresh greens. I took planters with live, growing plants on Friday. I have returned twice to water them. As large as the cemetery is in Blue Springs, I’ve only cited one live bouquet of roses. They were beautiful, many shades of reds, pinks and yellow, hand-picked and arranged in a quart fruit jar filled with water! So far, the Grain Valley Cemetery, while colorfully decorated, is all artificial flowers except my Rumbo grandparents.
 
It was nice to see both cemeteries filled with American flags blowing gently in the breeze.

by Marcia Napier, Grain Valley Historical Society 
 
 
The Historical Society calendar page for May features the World War II Memorial Honor Roll. During my childhood and throughout most of my teen years, the Honor Roll was in a predominate location in Grain Valley. It stood on Main Street between Mrs. Savage’s little house and the Christian Church. If you came to Downtown Grain Valley, you could not miss it.

In August and September of 2020, three articles appeared in this column about the Honor Roll. At that time I mentioned the two women on the roll, sisters Loubell and Dorothy Becker, both army nurses. I also talked about brothers, brothers-in-law, and other relatives on the Honor Rolls. And finally, I gathered information about the six stars on the board representing Grain Valley “boys killed in action.” Which asked the question, why did we call them boys, when they so obviously were men? The answer is also obvious, they were all very young, really just boys!

I do not believe we can see this photograph too often and that is why it is in this year’s calendar. Although all of these young men, and women, are no longer living, putting the photograph in the 2023 calendar is yet another way to thank them for their service.

And now, if I may editorialize here –why don’t we have an Honor Roll in Grain Valley today? I think it would be a great way to recognize the young women and men of our community who are currently serving in our armed forces.
 
If you would like to read more about the names on this Honor Roll, visit the Grain Valley Historical Society and we’ll share our information with you. We would love to talk with you about a future Honor Roll in Downtown Grain Valley! Maybe this could be a NHS or Eagle Scout project! Visit the Historical on Wednesdays from 10 AM-3 PM.
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601 Main Street (photo credit: Grain Valley Historical Society)
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Today it is called the Community Garden, but do you remember the once stately two-story home that occupied the front of the lot facing Main Street? Actually the 1920 U. S. Census called it Broadway and the occupants of the home were Benjamin Ervin Herrington, his wife Bess, and their older daughter, Mayzelle. Their daughter Cecyle Frances was born in 1922.

Ervin and Bess came to Grain Valley from Simpson County Kentucky, where all of the Herrington’s and their descendants got their start. They were married in Tennessee in 1902.  Ervin (1880-1959) came here to be near his Uncle Merrick. (Merrick was my great-great Grandfather and he had been living in the area since 1854.)
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When they first came to Jackson County the Herrington’ home was in the country. Later, Ervin (1880-1959) and Besse (1882-1975) moved to their big old house “in town” but he continued to farm land north of Grain Valley on Seymore Road. Later, he was employed at a stock farm. In the 1920s and 30s they rented their second story rooms to Homer & Nellie Fay Clements and Miss Lela Guthrey, the superintendent (Homer) and two of the teachers at the high school.

Besse & Ervin in the front yard           ​

The information on the back of this photograph reads “James A. Wood home, The Ladies Aid Society, January 12, 1921. If you look carefully, you might recognize the front steps of the stone house on the Northwest corner of Walnut and Capelle Street.

Growing up in the 1940s, 50s and 60s, most of us went to church and Sunday School each week. Some went on Sunday night and some went on Wednesday night. But it seems to me that the ladies of the community, at least in Grain Valley, were always “going to church.” Was that because they belonged to the Ladies Aid Society? I don’t recall the name of the group in other denominations, but we Methodist called it The Ladies Aid in the early years of the organization. It was later known as WSCS (Women’s Society of Christian Service), UMW (United Methodist Women) and currently UWF (United Women in Faith).

In the 1920 U. S. Census, James A. Wood was a real estate agent which probably accounts for the fact that he and his wife (Amy Hudson) had a different residence in 1900, 1910 and 1930! According to his obituary he was born in Eastern Jackson County where he lived his entire life. He died on May 13, 1933 and his funeral services were held at The Methodist Episcopal Church South. Since the Wood home was only a short block from the church, they regularly held their Ladies Aid meeting there.  In 1920 the church would have only been one room. As dressed up as the ladies are in the picture, I’m assuming that in addition to their mission work they might have had “tea and crumpets!”

As I recall, church ladies in Grain Valley, be they Methodist, Christian or Baptist, were always known for their good work. They helped the needy, took turns caring for the sick, provided care packages to our military men and women and numerous other missions.

Unfortunately, I cannot tell you the names of the ladies in the picture. Besides Mr. Wood, I can only name one. In fact, I look a bit like her. That’s my grandmother, Mittie (Sanders) Rumbo in the back row on the right.

by Marcia Napier, Grain Valley Historical Society


Today, as I drove over the railroad tracks heading south to the library, I glanced to my left and saw what is left of the old Frantz Home, behind a fence. It’s probably use for storage now. It’s hard to tell.

The once quaint bungalow that graced the corner of Main and 3rd Street was the home of Ray and Ella Frantz. The house set off of the street just a bit. It was surrounded by big old trees and lots of flowers lovingly cared for by “aunt” Ella. Even though it was a house “in town” it was on a large lot that extended to Harris Street. And south of Harris Street was  pasture that was the beginning of Sni-A-Bar Farms. On the edge of town, this little home was practically in the country.

And just north of their home was their business, Frantz Oil Company. It was the only gas station left in downtown Grain Valley.  In fact, in the late 1950s, it was the only gas station in Grain Valley! That was before Bill Officer built and ran the new Phillips 66 Station at the intersection of Main and U. S. 40 Highway; across the street from the high school.

At the new and modern “service” station you could also get an old change, buy new tires, and get some minor repairs. But only at Frantz Oil Company could you sit down in one of the old theater chairs (yes there were three chairs out front that were attached and appeared to have come from an old movie theater) and learn all of the town gossip before noon!
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Pop Frantz, as he was affectionately known, also had a bulk oil business and drove a school bus. (Valley News, July 1, 2021) 

by Marcia Napier, Grain Valley Historical Society


     If you are looking at this photo and thinking déjà vu, you are right. About two years ago, June 17, 2021, I ran this photo in the Valley News and told you what I could find at that time about the Liberty Chapter of the Order of Eastern Star, the member names and the officers from 1945.
     Shortly afterward, I received a copy of the history from Cinda (Nading) & Mike Reeder.  members of Liberty Chapter before it merged with the Blue Springs Chapter in 1981. If you are interested in the entire early history of the Order of Eastern Star in Grain Valley, I would encourage you to visit the Grain Valley Historical Museum.
     The “History of Liberty Chapter #413 was written by Birdie Potts Brown Davidson and recorded on June 18, 1969. While I won’t attempt to tell you all of it, I will give you a few excerpts which I find particularly interesting. (I really wanted to say ….I find particularly amusing!
     “Sister Hazel Reppert’s mother, Zoe Henthorn of Buckner, met with us May 31, 1918 to institute this chapter.
It was the closing year of World War I. People being patriotic chose the name Liberty Chapter.
The Stars arranged to pay the Royal Neighbors $4 a year for the use of the piano and 25 cents a meeting night to the janitor who was hired by the Masons.
August 22, ten dollars was sent to Grand Chapter. In other words we were on a trial basis U. D. until Grand Chapter voted to issue a charter which is dated December 18, 1918."
     And finally…
     "On was a cold snowy night Thursday, January 9, 1919, Liberty Chapter was constituted with six Grand officers and two members from Independence being present in our hall.”
     Mrs. Davidson went one to list every officer of Liberty Chapter from 1918 through 1965. It is my belief that the Stars met in what came to be known as the “Lodge Hall.” It was located on the second floor above the Bank of Grain Valley. It was also used by The Masons, The Modern Woodman, and The Royal Neighbors of America. Evidently, the Royal Neighbors owned the piano!
     Mike Reeder, GVHS Class of 1966, was initiated in Liberty Chapter in February, 1975. He was the 2020 Worthy Grand Patron for Missouri. Visit the Historical Society to view other photos and keepsakes from the   O. E. S.
  

     While it may have been one of the finest productions I’ve seen at Grain Valley High School, it certainly wasn’t the first. I cannot tell you when that first production was, but I can tell you it was at least 91 years ago, if not longer. My parents graduated in 1932 and I don’t recall my mother ever talking about being in any musical program. I know for sure my father would not have been allowed, except maybe on the stage crew. They don’t make buckets big enough to carry his tune!

     That’s how many years the Grain Valley Alumni Association has been celebrating. The Class of 1909 had four members, Curtis Houston, Ora Morrison, Madge Butler and Lillie Ashcroft. They were the first to graduate from Grain Valley’s two-year high school and the first to celebrate their alumni status. The story I’ve been told is those first graduates provided “punch and cookies” for the Class of 1910 as a way to welcome them to alumni status; and thus the tradition began. For a few years it became a custom for the previous graduates to provide refreshments after graduation for the new alumni. 
     At some point in those early years, the refreshment became a dinner and reunion for the graduates to come together. With only four or five exceptions, the dinner has continued. Once during WWI and for a couple of years (probably 1944 and 1945) during WWII the dinners were cancelled. And then we had a pandemic!
     Sometime during the 1930’s a dance was added to the celebration. I remember my parents attending Alumni Banquets when I was young. It was always the one time each year I can recall my father buying my mother a corsage. I remember one year the corsage was a beautiful white orchid with a blue ribbon. Of course, Mom along with several others, wore their corsage to church the following Sunday morning.
     During the 1980s the dances were discontinued. The dance bands of the 30s, 40s, and 50s had become DJs with records and tapes.  I suspect the alumni attending the banquets weren’t overly fond of the “rock and roll” music they provided.
     In 2020 the pandemic halted the annual event for a couple of years. But the annual Grain Valley High School Alumni Banquet lives on. I have always been told that Grain Valley has the oldest (nearly) continuous alumni association in the State of Missouri. I don’t know how this can be proven, but I suspect that is true!
     While the meal has been catered by Nadler’s from Wellington for many years, that wasn’t always the case. For many years the alumni officers planned and cooked the meal, soliciting additional cooking help from other members. When the school got a cafeteria in 1954, the cafeteria ladies were hired to cook the meal.
     This year the event will return to the Grain Valley High School Commons on April 29th.  As has been the tradition, the 50-year alumni, the Class of 1973, is in charge of planning the program. They will be recognized along with the 40-year, 60-year, and the oldest alumnus present. For the last several years the Alumni Association has awarded scholarships to graduating seniors. Three members from the Class of 2023 will receive $500 scholarships. One of the criteria for winning is they must be the son or daughter (grandson or granddaughter) of a GVHS graduate.
     The Historical Society is fortunate to have a nice collection of memorabilia from the Grain Valley schools which includes photos, yearbooks, school newspapers including The Broadcaster and The Eagles’ Cry, prom favors, and old textbooks, to name a few.

by Marcia Napier, Grain Valley Historical Society


     Yes, I’m a week behind with the March calendar photograph. I got so involved in the Jackson County Roads project that I complete forgot to report on the photograph selected for the March calendar page.
     Although the date written on the back of the photograph below is 1902, the store may have been built as early as the mid-1890s. I have previously written about the hardware in the Valley News on March 26, 2020.
     The back of this photo is dated “about 1902” and identifies the owners as William Warren  (second from the left) and Tommie Webb (lower front). The other gentlemen include Watson Hendricks (in front) Orie Morrison (3rd from left), Nob Alexander, Bill Brammer, and two are unknown.
      In the 1910 United States Census, Thomas (Tommie) Webb was listed as 60 years-old, single, a merchant and living as a border with the Edward Williams family in Grain Valley, Missouri. After spending a couple of hours on the internet, I can only say this is my best guess. There are at least four Thomas Webbs in ancestry, all living in the area at that time, however, the Williams Home was just a block north of the hardware and he was the only one listed as a merchant.
     William A. Warren is much easier to identify. In 1900, he was already the third generation of the Warren Family living in the area. Benjamin and Lucinda Warren came from Tennessee in 1843.  They settled at Tarsney Lakes with their children, including Zachariah. He married Nancy Terrance on March 24, 1850.  William Andrew was the fifth of their eleven children, born May 20, 1856. William A. and his wife Mary were the parents of William Durwood “WD” Warren, founder of the Bank of Grain Valley.
     The Warren Webb Hardware was built on the north side of the railroad tracks on Broadway (now Main Street). Exactly when it was built is unknown to me, however Warren died in 1914. Perhaps that is when the name changed to Loring Hardware. William H. Loring and his wife Ada ran the store until his death in 1930.  After that, Walter Hoehn ran the store. 
     Other than a new roof and asphalt siding, the building had remained much the same when Charles and Mildred Napier purchased it from Cecil and Anna Louise Poage in 1949. The store no longer sold Askew Saddles as the sign on the right of the building advertised, but it did sell about anything else one might need.  Sewing machine needles, baby clothes, dishes, garden seed, Cook’s paint, and nails. A garden plow, tools, window glass and washing machines. You name it, you could probably find it at the hardware.
     In 1954 the name was changed to Napier Hardware, Plumbing & Heating. The store burned along with the old hotel, in the background, in December 1959. Since that time the property has been a parking lot.
     Note: If you feel like you have read this before, you probably did. But many people expressed an interest in knowing move about the calendar photos. This is article number 242, so hopefully, if I repeat some things, I am forgiven!