On a wall is a large mural of two covered wagons pulled by oxen. Longtime resident Joyce Podlena recalled dances of yesterdays long ago. They were great with the polka and the waltzes. Like many small Kansas towns, this one has seen better days. The highway is still there, but most travelers opt for Interstate 70 just north of town.
Passenger trains stopping are but a memory.
During World War II, the boys were drafted and they didn't come back. It went downhill from there. Its heritage and culture has kept the town from evaporating into a collection of tumbledown buildings and forgotten memories. Four decades ago, a few residents hit on the idea of celebrating the Czech heritage with an annual festival at the end of July. They figured it would bring people and money to this Ellsworth County town of about 800 people.