The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-11-20
Gage Park Accommodations
Known All Over g. s.
MAGAZINE TAKES UP PLAN
american City" Publishes
Article on Hospitality Here.
+. F. A. Reinisch Explains Sys-
tenn Used in Summer.

Topeka has won a name for herself
in many ways, and with many con-
stituencies, but it has remained for
humble camp cook stove to suppiant
the political experiments and reforms
which have always been a source Of
delight to Kansas legislators in the
state capitol to make the name of To-
peka known along the highways and
byways and in the homes of every
state in the Union
With the advent of the automobile,
the world and his family have become
campers. The wealthy and near
wealthy have gone forth on the open
road, eaten singed bacon and drunk
coffee favored with sand and dust,
slept on the bosom of Mother Earth
with a blanket or two as covering, ana
undergone hardships generally which
would have appalled, them If they had
been met with in any other manner
than in touring"
And the camper is prone to remem-
Der the bright spots along the trail.
Topeka provided one of those bright
spots, which will be remembered
whenever thoughts wander back to the
motor tour. in every state which sent
q contingent of motorists along the
roads to California, or from west to
east.
Into Hearts of Tourists.
In THE American City" a maya
zine devoted strictly to American mu-
nicipal affairs, there is a short write
up of the way in which Topeka FOUND
its way into the hearts of the tourists,
by providing for the benefit of those
parties who were not equipped with
Boy Scout. able to magtcally produce
a clear, efficient cooking fire with
two wet sticks in bowling Windstorm
and a pouring rain.
The article is written by E. +. A.
Reinisch, superintendent OF parks, ana
l.. At - Cf
built in Gage park. The stoves were
introduced several years ago and last
season there were eight or them IN
operation. They are built OF brick ana
mortar; each of them is two feet wide
and two and one-half feet high, fitted
at one end with a brick chimney six
feet high. The tops are equipped with
two steel plates, each having two
holes with steel covers, like those of
an ordinary cook stove.
Stoves Are Vandal Proof.
at is essential" says the article,
that such stoves be made as nearly
vandal-proof as possible, for the pub
lie is not always satisfied with the con-
Veniences provided for them, and from
time to time undertake to rearrange
the equipment, presumably to roast
pig, or something larger than the
steak and vegetables which ordinarily
make ND the bulky portion of an out
door meal However, the majority of
persons who use these stoves take
good care of them.
Wood Is Provided.
I'VE have found wire receptacles
for trash of great assistance in keep
ing the ground about the stove in good
order. Wood has been provided so as
to preclude the possibility of break
ing down young plants and shrubs for
fuel. One of the conveniences ap-
preciated by the public in Gage park
is a source of fresh water close to
each of the stoves. Near one there is
a deep we'll equipped with a pump,
and the others are near hydrants
carrying city water. Our experience
indicates that these stoves are used
from early spring until the weather
becomes too cold to enjoy outdoor
parties"
1t has been found that it is by no
means the motorist only who uses the
stoves. The dweller in Topeka, who
likes a touch of the al fresco with his
Saturday evening or Sunday grub,
has been one of the most frequent
patrons of the cooking facilities sup
piled in the park. And innumerable
hiking parties of young folks have
made the stoves a center and an i'm
portant feature for their evening out
doors.