The Brookville Hotel in Brookville, Kansas, began its storied journey as the Central Hotel. Originally serving travelers and townspeople alike, the hotel quickly gained a reputation for its welcoming atmosphere and hearty home-cooked meals.
A picture postcard sent to Mr. M.P. Sanborn from Brookville, Kansas, in 1907, shows a photograph of the corner of Anderson Avenue and Perry Street in Brookville, with the Central Hotel visible. A message written across the front says,
I arrived safely. Mr. Magnuson was the depot to meet me. Weather cool. Feeling fine. Mr. and Mrs. Magnuson send their best regards in you. As ever, your cousin, Tilman”
Malte Peterson Sanborn was one of Chapman’s most well-known and respected residents. Born on March 26, 1857, in Sweden, he married Mary E. Phipps on March 25, 1886. She died in 1893. The couple had one child.
Mr. Sanborn remarried Anna Mary Phelps in 1896. They had three children. Malte and his wife owned a successful lumber business in Chapman. M.P. Sanborn was also involved in town politics, serving as a councilman.
Malte died on April 24, 1918. Anna Mary Phelps-Sanborn passed away on August 11, 1934. Both are buried at Indian Hill Cemetery in Chapman. I could not locate M.P. Sanborn’s cousin, Tillman.
Gustaf and Mary Mae Magnuson ran the Central Hotel in town, which later became known as the Brookville Hotel. In later years, it was considered to have one of the best restaurants in the entire state of Kansas. Many celebrities ate there, including “Buffalo Bill” Cody and John Wayne.
I was fortunate to also dine at this historic business with my wife’s family, before it moved to Abilene, Kansas, and then closed. Joleen was able to get the recipes for some of their exquisite dishes, especially fried chicken and creamed corn. She still serves them during holidays and special occasions.
Gustaf Magnuson was born in Sweden on December 3, 1864, in the same town as Malte Peterson Sanborn. The two men and their wives were friends. Gustaf passed away on September 15, 1933. He was 68.
Gustaf’s wife, Mary Mae, was born on November 27, 1873, in Pennsylvania. She died at the age of 60 on September 10, 1934. The couple had four children, Harry, Helen, Walter, and Leone. Gustaf and Mary are both buried in Brookville.
The Brookville Hotel building still stands, although it’s no longer used. Stingy Brookville town residents are responsible for the restaurant moving to Abilene, by voting not to help build a much-needed sewer line.
A few thousand dollars of tax revenue used towards such would’ve undoubtedly kept the business afloat. Over the years, thousands of dollars were lost, as tourists, hungry for a chicken dinner, no longer stopped in Brookville.
Such poor decisions come from those folks having no future vision for their town or city. They could’ve learned a lot from Council Grove town officials.
I like to write junk... 