...to Galva [mostly photographs]

[Daniel Kalal]

Kansas

Riding north along an empty county road.



Likely Galva prospered with the railroad, but there's not much going on these days. The town never really recovered from the large fire of 1930.







Lindsborg is about thirty miles north. It was settled by Swedish immigrants in the late 1860s, so never had the boom/bust cycle of the other towns that were entirely dependent on the coming (and going) of the railroad. Lindsborg still has a strong Swedish flavor.



The old roller mill is still here along the Smokey River. Mills of this type were once fairly common along the rivers, but you'll not find many left.



Lindsborg, Kansas.



I've eaten at the Swedish Crown restaurant before. It's recommended.



A Swedish Potato Sausage sandwich followed by Lingonberry bread pudding (Lingonberry seems to be a staple topping around here). Both, outstanding (I think the whipped cream is a Kansas addition)





Riding west out of Lindsborg. The stereotype is that a prosperous farm will have a better looking barn than house. I'm not sure that's the case, here.





Inman, Kansas.







It's nice to see a small-town school still in use and looking in very good shape. This region of Kansas has a long Mennonite heritage.

[WBill]

Thanks for the pictures.  Reminded me of a couple of trips I made through there, once to Dodge City on my K75 and again on my FJR through Hutchinson for a family party.  Prairie rides are an acquired taste, and I am a fan of those little towns with the grain elevators.  WBill

[JimWilliamson]

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Where do you come up with the history / details you have? Local signs in town or do you perform research?

[Daniel Kalal]

you don't think I actually took that freeway route do you?  
The notes in this report are just things I already knew, but the kansas state library has a nice online collection of early history for many of the small towns in kansas.

[Justin]

Thanks again for this latest set of pics and back-stories  - great stuff