gustaf-magnuson – I like to write junk…

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.

A 1908 picture postcard mailed from Bavaria, Kansas, to Ellsworth, Kansas, has a photograph of Anderson Avenue and City Park on the front, which is actually located in Brookville, Kansas. Brookville is in Saline County, like Bavaria and Ellsworth.

Bavaria, Kansas, is now a small unincorporated community located in central Kansas. Despite its regress, Bavaria has a rich and interesting history that reflects the development of rural communities throughout the American Midwest.

Bavaria was established in the 1860s during a time of rapid settlement and expansion in Kansas. Many of the first settlers in the area were of German descent, which is reflected in the community’s name—Bavaria, after the region in Germany. The town was strategically located near the Smoky Hill River, which provided vital water resources for agriculture and livestock.

In the late 19th century, Bavaria grew to include a post office, general store, and several other businesses serving local farmers and residents. The arrival of the railroad in Saline County helped foster growth and made it easier for residents to transport goods and travel to larger cities, such as nearby Salina.

The post office in Bavaria was established in 1867 and operated until 1960, serving as a hub for communication and commerce in the area. The community developed a reputation for being close-knit, with local churches and schools playing a central role in daily life.

As the 20th century progressed, Bavaria—like many small rural communities—faced challenges due to changes in agriculture, transportation, and population trends. The consolidation of farms, improvements in highways, and increased mobility led many residents to move to larger towns and cities. By the mid-20th century, Bavaria’s population had declined, and many of its businesses closed.

Today, Bavaria still remains an unincorporated area, a ghost town, with its historical significance preserved in local records and memories. Though small, it continues to be a symbol of the pioneering spirit and community values that shaped rural Kansas.

While Bavaria may no longer be a bustling place, its legacy lives on through its contributions to the region’s agricultural development and the stories of the families who once called it home. The old schoolhouse, now torn down, and other historical landmarks still standing, serve as reminders of the community’s vibrant past.

Mrs. Friend Hoover in Ellsworth was the recipient of her husband’s postcard. He was either in Bavaria or Brookville on business, having picked up the Brookville card at their local railroad depot.

“Sept 1, 1909

You will see us all tomorrow morning if nothing happens at lest that was the arrangement Saturday when I left the girls.”

Friend Herman Hoover was born in Greenleaf, Kansas, on February 22, 1887. Friend’s mother and father were Herman and Mary Elizabeth. Married on March 21, 1912, they had three children, Leroy, Herman, and Joyce.

During his work cycle, Friend worked as a farmer, at the Ellsworth Salt Works as foreman and fireman, culminating his career at retirement age as a tire repairman in an Ellsworth service station. He died in Ellsworth on September 18, 1960, at the age of 73.

Emma Mary Barkow-Hoover was born on October 21, 1884, in Ellsworth. She passed away on December 25, 1961. Emma was 76. Both Friend and Emma are buried in the Ellsworth Cemetery.