Getting to know Kansas and Newton

Today we learned that the Chisholm Trail went right through Newton, where we now reside. It was neat to learn about the history of the little town that we are now calling home. From 1871 to 1873 our quaint little town was known as the "bloody and lawless, the wickedest city in the West." In 1872 the western terminal for Santa Fe Railway and the rail head for the Chisholm Trail were established here. With the railroad came a horde of gunslingers, gamblers, "soiled doves", cowboys and railroad crews of every kind. By the end of 1872, there had been 12 murders documented, although there was evidence showing twice as many.

This is a old one room school house here in Newton, KS. This is the Kellas School.


Edward and the other co-op students, were able to find out what it was like to go to school back in 1800's in a one room school house. This school house was very authentic, complete with a wood stove to heat it, which do to the cold, we utilized. The children sat according to grade with the younger children in the front of the class and the older ones in the back, just as they would have done back then. They also participated in the same school activities as the children would have.

These are Indian artifacts.

Edward is holding a Buffalo bladder. They used these to carry water from the river back to their village to use. The other things he is holding is a sewing needle made of buffalo bone.

Edward is standing in front of what would have been worn by someone during the times of the Chisholm Trail Days. If I remember correctly, this was rain gear.

Here Edward is looking at some of the various Santa Fe and other train memorabilia. Of course with his fascination of trains, he was excited about learning all about trains and what the bringing the railroad through Newton meant for it back then.

New Homeschool Daily Activity

Last Christmas (2007), Edwards "Auntie" Trisha (one of his God Mother's) gave us a book as a gift, it is 365 Days of Celebrations and Praise: Daily Devotions and Activities for Homeschooling Families by Julie Lavender. I had planned to start it at the first doing the book on Jan 1 but things were hectic with all we had going on. However, we'll be starting this activity in Feb. We will be sharing with you via our blog what we learned about certain days.

I survived 650 feet under ground!!

Edward and I went 650 feet underground this afternoon. We went to the Hutchinson Underground Salt Mine. This salt field runs from Missouri to New Mexico, it is a working salt mine (it produces 500,000 tons of rock salt each year). It was amazing, there more than 67 miles of mined caverns. Salt mining has been a significant industry for well over 100 years. I had a great time apart from having to be stuffed like sardines in an elevator for about 1 1/2 minutes to go 650 feet underground. As a part of our tour we got to bring home a chunk of salt and small bag of salt pieces.

Edward donning his hard hat and emergency breathing apparatus

Edward on the tram, ready to take a ride through the salt mine.

A wall of salt and sediment.

Edward standing in front of a large block of salt and sediment

Edward standing infront of the orginal Superman Costume that Christopher Reeves wore in the movies. There are tons of things stored in vaults in the Saltmines from movies to movie props...even a computer from the 50's...that thing was longer than my couch.

A lite up piece of Salt.