The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-04-19
BY CIVIC PRIDE.
How North Topeka Has Been
Transformed.
Wide Awake Organization of
Business Men.
REAL ESTATE MOVES.
Much Property Has Changed
Hands Recently.
Desirable Rental Houses Are
Snapped Up.

| A trip over that section of the city
known as North Topeka would serve
most any purpose better than re-
7ninder Of Nthe devastating flood of
four years ago. The horrors of the
days ard nights when. the residents
huddled together in the upper Stories
Of their homes or in crowded build
ings where they had sought refuge
will never be wiped from their
memories.
The day is past, however, when
| those scenes are considered and but
seldom is a. word let fall from the lips
of those who endured the terrible days
and nights of, their sufferings. They
are living in the present and not in the
past and all fear. of repetition of the
disaster has passed from their minds
In the place of the buildings which
stood in ruins for year following the
flood as mute reminders of the awful
ness of the fury of the mad waters Of
the Kaw modern homes have arisen.
On every hand is seen the evidence
of the courage and honesty of purpose
of the people who have determined
that their section of the city shall be
second to none. There are no, pref
tier lawns or homes in the city than
are to be found On the north side of
the river and each succeeding day the
improvement can be noted.
The first of the year the North To-
peka Civic club was organized with
Fred o. Morns, one of the leading
business men of that side, as presi-
dent, and to this club and it's members
much of the recent transformation is
due. Mayor Davis was prevailed upon
to lend the use of the entire street
cleaning force to the club for one day,
the first part of the month, and the
MO Nf hot -
history among the residents of North
Topeka as one of the most satisfactory
ever attempted. 81
Schools We're dismissed and stores
closed and the day was made one of a
general clean up. of the streets and
alleys in which merchants. laborers
and school children WED with each
other in a friendly rivalry for. the bet
terment of that section of the city.
Through the efforts of the Civic club,
which ism reaHtS a commercial club, \
devoted to the interests of North To-
peka more than 500 trees have been
planted since the 1rst of the year. The
Old ice hoslse which, had stood a mass
of ruins ana eyesore TO All approach
ing that sectpn of5the city from the
south was torn dFhAn. Pretty grassy
lawns have sprung into existence,
dotted with flower .,bedsf surrounding
in Keeping with the teachings of the
Civic club. = AR- 81 4
The club is back bof the sentiment
which caused petitions to- be present.
ed which has obtained for North To-l
peka the paving of Kansas avenue to
Garfield park, and Central avenue to
the bridge oyer Soldier creek.
An effort which will probably be sue
cessful is being made to secure the
consent of the Eastern owners of a
triangular strip Of land at the corner of
Kinus street between Logan and Cen
trail avenues to- be used for a park
Two of the largest Touring mills in
the city are located on the north side
of the river besides four mills and ele-
vators combined; the Otto Kuehne
Picking works; the Central Sash and
Door factory; the Western Wooden
mills; The Kaw Package company and
numerous other manufacturing and
wholesale institutions.
The Quincy street school which was
last year is the largest
school building IN the city with the
exception of the high school building
on this side of the river and one of
the most complete in every way.
The numerous improvements which
have been made althe residence prop
critics in North Topeka during the
past six months attest the prosperity
which has visited that section of To-
Deka. While there has not been the
number of new houses erected the old
ones have been made comparatively |
new and in most instances modern.
IN speaking. OIL NORTH topeka ana |
it's prospects Mr.. Anderson of the real
estate firm of Olinger & Anderson, 500 |
North Kansas avenue, said: 1--WE are |
not making much fuss about what we |
ara doing on this side of the river but |
it is my honest opinion that more |
real estate has changed hands during
the last thirty days than in the pre-
vious ~ months. There is some
going on; for instance, %
new houses have been erected for that
of families who have recently |
located in this part of the city direct
ly from Russia. M
"There is this to be said for these
people aside from the fact that they
are wage earners and good citizens
and that is that they pay as they go.
Any time that you see a sidewalk in
front of their home you may feel sure
that the place is paid for. as it is one
of their peculiarities. The Union Pa
cific railroad recently purchased 40
acres Of land near Shorey and has
commenced the, erection of 80 stall
round house as a nucleus for shops
which they will some time erect on
this side of the river, and have an
option on about 100 acres more.
There are but few desirable rental
in North Topeka vacant
and we have trouble in getting places
for those who are moving into this