The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-04-18
Lost Springs and Tampa Are on
the Map.
Former Has One of Larges t
Nurseries in Country.
ARE BUSINESS RIVALS.
Both Towns Are Making a Bid
for Trade.
Tampa's 200 Barrel FIGURING
Mill Feature.
ARE BUSINESS RIVALS.

There are two towns in the north-
ern part of Marion county that are
doing things-they are about the same
size, have equal advantages, are stu
ated in the same type of country and
turn out their portion to the world
with equaIity-but as to the type OF
their population and the spirit of their
people-they are among the leaders in
Kansas towns of their size.
Lost Springs is the name of one of
these unusual and thriving towns
and Tampa is the other. Lost Springs
IS noted because of it's situation on
the Santa Fe trail and its immense
nursery-one of the greatest in the
country Tampa is noted for its flour
ing mill-the output of which IS
known in almost every Kansas town
and city.
Being about the same size, with the
same advantages and territory to draw
upon, the two little cities are rivals
rivals to such an extent that the beau
ty of their streets, their homes and
the prosperity of their industries and
their business houses vie with each
other. When Lost Springs builds a
new business block and opens another
institution. Tampa pricks up her ears
and goes just one better-and this is
the course of the good natured rivalry
between their citizens.
This rivalry has grown to such de-
gree that when both cities woke up ana
counted their population last fall they
found that they had gained almost
fourth. Their enterprise in upbuildfng
their little cities and making it just
that much better than the other has
worked wonders with the mun1clpa
standing. Each town has population
oe about AGO people and they are hight
ing for the 500 goal line.
The way matters stand at this time
Lost Springs is a little ahead of her
sister city With the addition of a big
new modern brick business block, 66x1O0
feet, and the addition of number OF
new business houses the town is claim
ing supremacy over Tampa.
Ninety-Ffve Miles From Topeka.
Lost Springs is about 95 miles south
west of Topeka on the main line OF the
Rock Island which leads south to Texas
from Harrington. The town is also on
the Santa Fre, a branch line running to
Superior. Neb. And to complete her
lines. Lost Springs is directly in the
path of the old Santa F'e trail. In fact
the town was named after the history
of this trail-a big spring known to all
travellers at this time in the history of
Kansas. suddenly failed. Lost Springs
was thus given her name. Lately, how
ever, the spring has opened up again
and is flowing sparkling and cool the
year around.
Lest Springs has lots of things to be
proud of. Probably the largest indus
try is the big James McNicol nursery.
Thus nursery covers 240 acres and is a
mass of orchards. trees and nursery
growths of all kinds The Lost Springs
Nursery supplies the whole central part
of Kansas and is a widely known in
stitution-
In addition to this Lost Springs has
q 200 barrel flour mill that employs
many men and is doing big business.
The Lost Springs State bank with
capital of $25 900 is one of the strongest
institutions of its kind IN this part of
the state.
Lost Springs is well supplied with
churches and schools. There are three !
churches, the Methodist Episcopal, the !
Evangelical and the Church of Christ. |
They have large, fiourishing, devout |
congregations. The Lost Springs high |
school is under an excellent corps of |
teachers and the students are not only |
proficient in their work but they have |
given several creditable entertainments |
this year.
Tie business section of Lost Springs |
is growing fast. There are three gro |
Gerry stores, three general stores, one |
dry goods store, one hardware store, |
one harness shop, one restaurant, two /
hotels. one lumber yard, one furniture |
store and several other places of busi- |
ness.
Tampa is close on the heels of Lost
Springs. Tampa is on the California |
line of the Rock Island, different
main line leading out from Harrington.
Tampa is about 100 miles southwest OF
Topeka
Tampa has a number of things which /
she holds forth to visitors with pride.