July 6,1952 Legion Ball Park Officially Dedicated

The new American Legion ball park was officially dedicated to the youth of the community in impressive services at the park Sunday afternoon, July 5 by offices and members of Craig-Wheeler

Duzan Post No 67 American Legion; officers and members of Rich Hill Lodge 1026 B. P.O. Elks,and visiting State officers of the American Legion .A large crowd was present.

The program was conducted from the speakers platform in front of the grandstand near home plate and was decorated with American flags. In place also was the colors of the local Post of the

American Legion who sponsored the building of the park. The program was carried to the large audience over a pubic address system.

Glen Droz, a member of the local Legion Post, acted as Master of ceremonies.

Preceding the ceremony a concert was given by the members of the R-IV School district band,under the direction of Jon Ferguson, instructor of music in our school.

The dedication services opened by an impressive - flag raising ceremony conducted by color guard and mem­bers of the local Legion Post fol­lowed by a prayer by Lowell Davis

The flag pole was a gift from the officers and members of the Rich Hill Lodge No. 1026 B.P.O. Elks and was erected in deep center field near the board fence. The flag was also a gift from the organization . In behalf of the order services dedicating the staff and presentation of the flag were conducted by Frank Ralston and C.F. Krieger, members of the local order of Elks.

Sam Fisher, commander of Craig-Wheeler-Duzan Post No. 67 of the American Legion gave a resume of the method used in acquiring the land and the planning, buiding and completion of the project.

The dedication address was given by James. Whitfield- of Warrensburg Department , Adjutant,Missouri Department of American Legion. Mr. Whitfield is an excellent speaker. His talk was interesting and was thoroughly enjoyed by all.

Mr. Whitfield was accompanied by Bill Cain of Butler, a sixth District Legion officer.

A baseball game Ft. Scott and Legionnaires followed the dedication services.

Editorial By Randy Bell Aug. 26 1982

The grass and weeds in the side­walks of downtown Rich Hill was a topic at a recent Chamber of Com­merce meeting. All agreed the ap­pearance of the business district could be enhanced with just a little effort. I chimed right in with the rest pointing out that just a few hours work could rid the area of the unwanted greenery.

Someone pointed out that the Review had quite a weed growing right by the door. Quickly I assured them that this magnificent speci­men was no weed but a valuable ornamental plant that I tended with daily care. I convinced no one.

The truth of it is that I had stopped one day, right before the Fourth, to pull this weed. It didn't yield quickly and I was in a hurry so I left it meaning to come back later and dig it out. A month later it was still there. However just a few days after the Chamber meeting I found the weed stuck in my screen door—a reminder that improvement projects start close to home.

I really never noticed that weed much. Usually in a hurry I just went in the front door with head down not looking to the left or right. But you can bet others noticed it and all the other weeds and grass by the store fronts. It's like at home rushing to do some home repair before visitors arrive. As long as it's just the family you let it go, sometimes even for­getting the problem exists. But the thought of visitors seeing our short­comings brings on a flurry of activity.We have visitor’s everyday down­town.

Of the problems that exist for Rich Hill some will have to have long term solutions. But the prob­lems of grass and weeds can be licked in just one afternoon.

Saturday afternoon there going to be a workday for this very purpose.

If you own a business or building downtown this would be a good time to begin the clean up. If you can't make it yourself there are probably some young people around town willing to make a few dollars for back to school.

Pitch in. Let's start the ball rolling for some improvements not only in downtown Rich Hill but for the whole town.

Flag Raising-June 22 1917 Rich Hill Daily Review

Flag Raising here To-Day

Mammoth Flag at Entrance to Central Park-- Patristic Occasion

The beautiful America flag was raised to the top of a mammoth flag pole nearly seventy feet high at the entrance to Central park this Friday afternoon with appropriate ceremonies enhanced with patriotic airs played by the Rich Hill band, The crowd was not as large as hoped for but the occasion was marked with genuine enthusiasm. Mayor Jones presided. J. D, Moore introduced the speaker of the day.

W. O. Jackson, of Butler, made the address of the day, delivering an eloquent and forceful address in harmony with the spirit of the occasion, the band rendered some fine selections, including the Star Spangled Banner, and Mrs. Marvin Gench gave a delightful song, which added a charm to the patriotic event.

The old war veterans were there and had the honor of raising "Old Glory," "which was a pleasant task for them. The flag is beautiful, 10x18 feet, and was purchased with contributions by the citizens of Rich through the untiring efforts of the Park Association girls who richly deserve the credit for their patriotic efforts.

April 1917 Rich Hill Newspaper

Municipal Matters.

The city council convened in regu­lar session Tuesday evening, Mayor Jones and all members of the council being present. In addition to routine business transacted, R. S, Parsons was installed as the new superin­tendent, and A Gordon assistant superintendent. Contracts were made for another year with the Westinghouse and B & M. companies for lamps, meters and other supplies. Monthly accounts were also allowed.

To the Public !

Having- rented the repair shop at the White Way Garage, I am prepared to repair all makes of automobiles; also any tractor or stationary engine, electrical work on motors, cars etc. Am equipped to pull in broken down cars.Kindly solicit your patronage. All work guaranteed.

H. R. Johnson

Phone 60

Extension to the Miller Garage—Heck & Ruble Make New Improvements.
A new extension building is being added to the Dennis Miller garage property on Fifth Street. The new building is 50x50, and is being con­structed of new building material from the Dickey clay plant, which has lately been enlarged, being the first output of the new clay and tile works. In the new garage building concrete floors have been laid, and a handsome French plate glass, front, with a broad entrance, and other im­provements of a modern character will be added to the structure. When completed the Miller garage property will be 50x140 feet, giving the ample accommodations and making it one of the best in this section of country,
The building on Park Avenue oc­cupied by Heck & Ruble, manufac­turers and jobbers of fine cigars, is undergoing extensive improvements. A new French plate front has been added, partitions being torn out to give way to s fine office building and other interior improvements. This firm is manufacturing popular brands of cigars and their trade is being extended to cover a portion of Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma- They give employment-to several salesmen be­side employees of the factory. The growth of their business justifies the modern improvements in the building occupied by this splendid industry

School Remodeled (August 26 1982)

Rich Hill Mining Review (Aug. 26 1982)

Rich Hill grade school students will notice a change in their classrooms upon their return Friday. At least those in the north side classrooms will. The large windows have been replaced as shown above. The remodeling is an effort to cut down heat loss and to provide more comfortable classrooms in the winter months.

Vitrified Brick Factory

In 1890 Major Wilson formerly the senior member of the Sanderson and Wilson Hardware and Undertaking Establishment together with T.B. Farmer and Ben Evens, instated a brick Factory just outside the city limits to the north and alongside the Missouri Pacific railroad for the production of verified brick. After a few years of experimenting it was found that the soil in the immediate vicinity was not suited for the vermiform product desired. So they sold the plant to Hedges and Booth. However, Mr. Wilson had manufactured and sold many thousands of bricks, both locally and abroad. The product was used quite extensively for sidewalks.
Rich Hill City Hall was constructed of the bricks but after a few years the building had to be heavily succored to preserve and strengthen the(at the time)-two story walls. It might be well to mention that Mr. Wilson was a member of the board of aldermen at the time the building was erected.
Hedges and Booth converted the plant into a farm tile factory and finally sold to the Dickey Tile Company of Kansas City. The Dickey organization continued for a number of years but, after exhausting the clay substance on its own property, and failing in an effort to secure that on adjacent lands discontinued operations.

Rich Hill Uptown

This picture comes from the Rich Hill Mining Review-July 3 2009