Columnist Robert Collins writes that to build a stronger community, Andover needs more local jobs. The impending arrival of Atwoods, Victoria Gardens and Java Villa are good signs.
In 1917 an interurban railroad was proposed to run between Wichita and El Dorado. In Part One, local historian Robert Collins introduces the "Wichita-Walnut Valley Interurban."
Andover author Robert Collins has written several science fiction novels. But he's grown skeptical of UFO sighting claims, because of stories like this one out of Kansas that was picked up by newspapers as far away as Europe.
Paying $1 a year for rent won't matter when there are other utility costs with running a museum, local author Robert Collins writes. If the AHS doesn't attract more than a few members, it will run out of money soon.
For Robert Collins, a published author from Andover, fiction is a fascinating art. "The reader is allowed into the minds of the characters," he explains. "That allows the characters to come to life in the most powerful way possible."
Andover author Robert Collins thinks electronic books are a terrific, convenient invention that will help readers. (Plus nobody can judge your books - there is no cover.) But at the end of the day, printed books might be irreplaceable.
Columnist Robert Collins explains how the growing pains Andover suffered for two years led to the creation of our annual "Greater Andover Days" festival.
Robert Collins gives us a three-part series on how this part of Butler County was settled and became the town of Andover. Part One tells of the first residents and the creation of Bruno Township.
Vietnam, civil rights protests, Martin Luther King, Bobby Kennedy - the late 1960s were a time of turmoil in America. Here in Andover, Kansas, the controversy wasn't quite so grim ... but out of it, a city institution was born.
The Times called division "one of the most gigantic frauds ever attempted." The editor of the Republican replied by calling Times editor Murdock a liar and a "literary nincompoop. ..." Part six of a series.
"Both camps held their ground until four in the afternoon. At that time one Col. Baker spoke to the Augustans, asking them to return home and telling them that a town supper was waiting for them. The people agreed ..." Part five of a series.
"Those votes had to be illegal, so by throwing those out and by counting the 'missing' 118 votes El Dorado had 'a clear majority of the legal votes of this county against removal.' Needless to say, this is an most extraordinary argument." ... The fourth part of a series.
"One wag suggested that the county create a 'courthouse on wheels' that could roll to each town in the county so each could claim the title of county seat. ..." The second part of a series.
In the first part of a series, Andover author Robert Collins sets the stage for a fascinating read about the dirty business of county politics in the late 1800s - and it's all true.
"Chenowith's idea was not without flaws. He admitted that the cost of restoration would be between $100,000 and $300,000, and those figures didn't include buying the house or the land for its relocated site. ..."
"He modified one house to better fit his family and moved that to a 640-acre site south of Andover. The second he placed into storage so he would have spare parts to fix anything that broke ..."
If a researcher finds that his family purchased land from a railroad company, he needs to be certain that the company actually existed. Fortunately, the tools exist to get the facts straight.
"... With these fears in mind, news came to El Dorado in early October of 1861 that a wagon train was coming down the California Trail. Over the summer a company of militia had been formed under the command of one P. G. D. Morton. ..."
Passenger trains don't have to be just part of our past, columnist Robert Collins tells us. There is still a need for them, because of reasons you may not have considered.
Exploring Kansas doesn't mean just driving around and seeing sights. It can also mean reading a book to discover people and places you couldn't in any other way.
"The robber looked like any ordinary worker. Despite having stolen a noticeable car, no one gave him any thought. His actions in Andover before the robbery were not suspicious enough for anyone to raise an alarm. And dressed as he was, if he did hop a freight, it would have looked like any other hobo riding the rails ..."
"It wasn't until the next day that the abandoned car was checked by local police. They found it had its front windshield shot out and other signs of hits by shotgun blasts. There were blood stains on the driver's side seat cushions and on the steering wheel ..."
On a mid-October day in 1928, a man walked into the Andover State Bank. He showed a gun to the cashier and demanded money. The cashier complied, but as the robber was leaving the cashier fired at the man. The man fired back, fired at a truck driver, and waved his gun at a second driver. The car the robber drove was found in El Dorado the next day, but the robber disappeared.
Robert Collins, a longtime author from Andover whose award-winning works include everything from Kansas history to science fiction, writes his introductory column for ScoopFire.com.
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Columnist Robert Collins writes that to build a stronger community, Andover needs more local jobs. The impending arrival of Atwoods, Victoria Gardens and Java Villa are good signs.
Columnist Robert Collins wonders about the concept of "stuff" in the new media age.
Local author Robert Collins talks about the process from writer's idea to printed book.
Local historian Robert Collins tells the fate of the "Wichita-Walnut Valley," and what it could have meant for Andover.
In 1917 an interurban railroad was proposed to run between Wichita and El Dorado. In Part One, local historian Robert Collins introduces the "Wichita-Walnut Valley Interurban."
Historian Robert Collins explains the events that led up to getting a Methodist church, which was eventually consumed by a fire.
Andover author Robert Collins has written several science fiction novels. But he's grown skeptical of UFO sighting claims, because of stories like this one out of Kansas that was picked up by newspapers as far away as Europe.
Paying $1 a year for rent won't matter when there are other utility costs with running a museum, local author Robert Collins writes. If the AHS doesn't attract more than a few members, it will run out of money soon.
In advance of his teen writing workshop at the Andover Public Library, author Robert Collins explains his job.
Andover historian Robert Collins recommends both the Chisholm Trail Museum, which focuses on the early settlers, and the Panhandle Railroad Museum.
Andover author Robert Collins is a fan of this El Dorado treasure - and not just because his books are for sale in the gift shop.
For those who appreciate the past, author Robert Collins has two suggestions for an afternoon well spent.
Robert Collins, an award-winning author and local historian, invites readers to take in the art on display in nearby El Dorado.
In the first of an ongoing series, Robert Collins tells readers about two museums focused on military history here in Butler County
For Robert Collins, a published author from Andover, fiction is a fascinating art. "The reader is allowed into the minds of the characters," he explains. "That allows the characters to come to life in the most powerful way possible."
Andover author Robert Collins thinks electronic books are a terrific, convenient invention that will help readers. (Plus nobody can judge your books - there is no cover.) But at the end of the day, printed books might be irreplaceable.
Columnist Robert Collins explains how the growing pains Andover suffered for two years led to the creation of our annual "Greater Andover Days" festival.
Robert Collins gives us a three-part series on how this part of Butler County was settled and became the town of Andover. Part One tells of the first residents and the creation of Bruno Township.
Award-winning author Robert Collins explains how the town of Cloud City was founded along the tracks and became Andover.
In Part Two, we follow the community through the latter half of the 1870s and the coming of the Frisco railroad.
Vietnam, civil rights protests, Martin Luther King, Bobby Kennedy - the late 1960s were a time of turmoil in America. Here in Andover, Kansas, the controversy wasn't quite so grim ... but out of it, a city institution was born.
The Times called division "one of the most gigantic frauds ever attempted." The editor of the Republican replied by calling Times editor Murdock a liar and a "literary nincompoop. ..." Part six of a series.
"Both camps held their ground until four in the afternoon. At that time one Col. Baker spoke to the Augustans, asking them to return home and telling them that a town supper was waiting for them. The people agreed ..." Part five of a series.
"Those votes had to be illegal, so by throwing those out and by counting the 'missing' 118 votes El Dorado had 'a clear majority of the legal votes of this county against removal.' Needless to say, this is an most extraordinary argument." ... The fourth part of a series.
In the third part of a series, Andover author Robert Collins explains the grim events that unfolded in 1871.
"One wag suggested that the county create a 'courthouse on wheels' that could roll to each town in the county so each could claim the title of county seat. ..." The second part of a series.
In the first part of a series, Andover author Robert Collins sets the stage for a fascinating read about the dirty business of county politics in the late 1800s - and it's all true.
"Chenowith's idea was not without flaws. He admitted that the cost of restoration would be between $100,000 and $300,000, and those figures didn't include buying the house or the land for its relocated site. ..."
"He modified one house to better fit his family and moved that to a 640-acre site south of Andover. The second he placed into storage so he would have spare parts to fix anything that broke ..."
If a researcher finds that his family purchased land from a railroad company, he needs to be certain that the company actually existed. Fortunately, the tools exist to get the facts straight.
"... With these fears in mind, news came to El Dorado in early October of 1861 that a wagon train was coming down the California Trail. Over the summer a company of militia had been formed under the command of one P. G. D. Morton. ..."
Comments (1)
Editor Adam Knapp remembers George Fahnestock, who made his home in Andover but created his legacy as a civic leader in Wichita.
Passenger trains don't have to be just part of our past, columnist Robert Collins tells us. There is still a need for them, because of reasons you may not have considered.
Comment on Robert Collins' work all you want, but please don't ask him what's the best thing he's ever written.
Was it an accident? Was it murder? How much money was missing? Local historian Robert Collins tells of a death still clouded in smoke 95 years later.
For a brief time in the 1920s, writes local historian Robert Collins, our town could boast a little touch of class.
It's an important slogan, says columnist Robert Collins, if our community is to survive and thrive.
Andover is a town all its own, but it's also tied to Wichita. If we want our own identity, writes columnist Robert Collins, we have to work for it.
Understanding just how the road system evolved in Andover will give you a better appreciation for its history.
If we're to have city institutions that really work, writes columnist Robert Collins, we have to have some sort of stake in them.
Local historian Robert Collins explains the series of events in 1957.
Local historian Robert Collins takes us through the end of an era.
It was initially paid for by Sedgwick County, and it was clouded in a little controversy, explains columnist Robert Collins.
Exploring Kansas doesn't mean just driving around and seeing sights. It can also mean reading a book to discover people and places you couldn't in any other way.
"The robber looked like any ordinary worker. Despite having stolen a noticeable car, no one gave him any thought. His actions in Andover before the robbery were not suspicious enough for anyone to raise an alarm. And dressed as he was, if he did hop a freight, it would have looked like any other hobo riding the rails ..."
"It wasn't until the next day that the abandoned car was checked by local police. They found it had its front windshield shot out and other signs of hits by shotgun blasts. There were blood stains on the driver's side seat cushions and on the steering wheel ..."
On a mid-October day in 1928, a man walked into the Andover State Bank. He showed a gun to the cashier and demanded money. The cashier complied, but as the robber was leaving the cashier fired at the man. The man fired back, fired at a truck driver, and waved his gun at a second driver. The car the robber drove was found in El Dorado the next day, but the robber disappeared.
Columnist Robert Collins isn't sure himself, and he has lived here most of his life.
Local historian Robert Collins writes that while our county is something Andover residents can be proud of, its name is associated with shame.
It could have happened under this proposal in 1957, writes local historian Robert Collins.
Columnist Robert Collins explains our town's roots in a way that only a local historian could.
Robert Collins, a longtime author from Andover whose award-winning works include everything from Kansas history to science fiction, writes his introductory column for ScoopFire.com.