...to Geuda Springs [mostly photographs]

[Daniel Kalal]

[continuing with our lessons on obscure Kansas towns...]

Geuda Springs is southeast of Wichita not far north of Oklahoma. It developed and grew due to the mineral springs of “healing waters”; and at one time was a fairly thriving resort town with a railroad, lake, bath houses and hotels.

The railroad is gone, the lake is gone, the buildings mentioned are gone. In fact, there's very little left of any town at all.

Approaching Geuda Springs from the south. The grain elevator and those few other buildings gives the impression of there being more to this town than there really is.



Best I could tell, this is the center of the business district.  Or at least it once was.



Yes; there is a post office. It's interesting that as the lots become vacant, the through-streets take a broader curve instead of following the original town grid.





In 2003 the city council passed an ordinance requiring households to have guns and ammunition (with a penalty for non-compliance). I have no idea if that ordinance is still in force or if it was even upheld to begin with. Either way, this would hardly seem to be a dangerous place.







Some of these brick buildings off in the woods were very likely part of the facilities built around the “healing springs.” The streets that these buildings were once on are entirely gone.





I presume the lake was once here.



Outside the post office was a kiosk that had photocopies of old photographs of the town as it once was. The second photo shows the fire of 1908 that destroyed many of the buildings.





Riding north of Geuda Springs. In the distance you might spot two or three cotton harvesters. As they reach capacity, they dump their load in this yellow bin where the cotton is then compressed into a gigantic bale.



Stay on the same paved road that runs through Geuda Springs and you'll be in Oxford.



It doesn't take long to ride through the business district.



This church was built in 1873 (although it is no longer used as a church).



I stopped for a late afternoon dinner at Luciano's--a surprisingly good Italian restaurant in Mulvane.

[sfarson]

Always a fine and reflective tale told through your images.

[Justin]

Always a fine and reflective tale told through your images.

Daniel is to Kansas, as you are to CO  

Another great ride report Daniel - you sincerely have a great eye for photos.

And Steve - any reports from you lately? I always enjoyed your ride reports that blended in the "now and then" pictures  

I'll be grabbing your book when we get our Amazon cards for Christmas at work

[JimWilliamson]

[continuing with our lessons on obscure Kansas towns...]

 

In 2003 the city council passed an ordinance requiring households to have guns and ammunition (with a penalty for non-compliance). I have no idea if that ordinance is still in force or if it was even upheld to begin with. Either way, this would hardly seem to be a dangerous place.

So, are you saying an armed society is a polite society, or at least one where thugs don't come knocking... Curious to note this was a recent ordinance.

Thx for the nice history lesson!

[nevinfs327]

Very interesting  

[Daniel Kalal]

So, are you saying an armed society is a polite society, or ...

all I meant is that small-town Kansas is safe no matter how much ammunition you might or might not have stored away (unless, of course, the Dalton gang rides into town...)

[DenverC-14]

Daniel is to Kansas, as you are to CO  

Another great ride report Daniel - you sincerely have a great eye for photos.

And Steve - any reports from you lately? I always enjoyed your ride reports that blended in the "now and then" pictures  

I'll be grabbing your book when we get our Amazon cards for Christmas at work

I'll probably pick up Steve's book as well. And for as "boring" as those rides seem to be, Daniel adds a good flair to them.