A TOWN STRUGGLING FOR SURVIVAL
Nancy and I recently returned from our semi-annual trip to Kansas and CV. The purpose of the trip was to visit our mothers, (91 and 92) who are residents of the assisted living facility, Presbyterian Manor in Arkansas City. Nellie Hite, Coena (Scott) Foster and JD Hite’s mother is also a resident there. Nancy took her mother to Cedar Vale to stay in her home which she still has in CV.
On the drive back I got to thinking of how Cedar Vale has changed from the way I remember it 50 to 60 years ago. Even though I have been back many times in the past 50 years, I still think of it as it was in my youth. I thought there may be CV blog readers who have not had the occasion to visit CV for many years and might be interested in how the town is now. Had I thought of writing this while I was there, I would have done a better job of research and be more accurate in my comments than what I can recall from my casual observations. My comments are surely not intended to offend anyone, for there are many CV residents who enjoy and are proud to live in CV and many dedicated, hard working individuals who strive to keep CV a viable town.
The most significant difference from the 40 and 50's is the number of businesses. I tried to retrieve Wayne’s “tour of the town” but didn’t find it. From my recollection there were three grocery stores, two drug stores, three or four cafes, four or five service stations, two auto dealers, two farm implement dealers, barber shop, dry cleaners, pool hall, theater, saddle shop, chiropractor, bank, black smith, feed store, dry goods, hardware, motel, hospital, television repair, newspaper, REA, lumber yard, auto repair, sale barn, two elevators, locker plant and I am sure several others I don’t immediately recollect.
Contrast these businesses to what I recall is presently in business now. Starting at the Methodist Church and going down main street there is a small beauty shop, which is apparently open by appointment only, the post office, the city office, museum in the old LC Adams store, Mickey Myers drug store, (no fountain) where Maurice Smiths grocery was; Mike Campbell insurance and real estate office, where Hankins drug store was; a library in the vicinity of where the pool hall was and the bank on the corner. On the other side of the street is the People’s Place, which serves lunch to senior citizens. All the other remaining buildings on that side of the street are vacant and many of the old building have been torn down. The was a comment that a small grocery store may be going in the area where Woodruff/Clark dry cleaners used to be.
The REA is still in the same location, two cafe’s, The Hilltop, operated by Jim Looman, class of 49, and the Prairie Kitchen, operated by Eddie Snyder’s wife Rosie, which is by the locker plant, which is also in operation. A medical clinic, I assume with limited capabilities, is located in the Hays hospital.
Across from where the Coop service station used to be is the only service station in town and is also a convenience store with a goodly stock of grocery and items. Where the Rice House elevator was, is a company called Western Feeds, which grinds, sacks and distribute livestock feeds. The apparently do a good business as motors are constantly running.
Compared to the old days, main street was basically deserted. On one occasion there was only one car on main street. The most activity is at lunch time, with cars park at the People’s Place.
In the evenings there were no kids cruising main street; no cars parked on the corner with girls in one car and boys in another. In fact I never saw a teenager in a car on main street at any time.
CV has had a lot of rain this summer and every thing is beautifully green. Most of the yards are mowed neatly and the homes that are lived in, most of them show the pride of their owners. However there are many vacant houses and the some of the yards were in need of attention. A few places had all sorts of items (junk) in their yards.
A nice addition to CV is the swimming pool, which is down by the rodeo grounds. I went by it a couple of times and there were kids that seemed to be having a good time. Many evening there were ball games at the old ball diamond that so many of us bloggers remember so well. Hewins park looked very nice, the grounds were mowed and the pavilion has been restored and appeared to be in good repair. In fact it looked much better than it used to when it was very active with Saturday night dances in the summer. ( Remember when the car trunk lids were always open and a crowd standing around). Across the road from the rodeo grounds is the nursing home that has been closed for many years. I think it is vacant and not used for any thing.
Seeing the changes in CV is kind of like seeing the changes in acquaintance’s, loved ones and our selves. It is sad, but inevitable. Time and mother nature has taken its toll on us. We don’t look the same or able to do the things we did 50-60 years ago. Time and economics has taken its toll on CV. Economics will not allow it to be the thriving town that we remember. A farm family today, cannot survive on 160 acres, with crops, hay, cattle and pigs. I applauded those who have chosen to stay, raising their families and contributing to the towns survival.
CV is and will continue to be a nice place to live, raise a family and work in surrounding towns. I feel it will become more of a retirement area if there are food and medical facilities available.
But for now and the near future it seems it will be a struggle for the present businesses and for the schools to remain open for the long term.
Of the various places I have lived, only in Kansas and Cedar Vale have I experienced chiggers, lighting bugs and singing locust. The latter two were pleasant reminders, the former I would just as soon not encounter.
PS–Don C. since you live in CV, please feel free to add to or correct any of my observations and comments.
