It having been the intention from the first in writing this arrival to give Towanda a more extended notice than is given the other towns in the county, it is hoped no "bad blood" will be engendered by such notice being appended.
    This place is situated on the Whitewater  in the center of the best agricultural region in Butler County, and second to none in the State. The valleys of the main river and its chief tributary the West Branch converge to a point two miles north of town, and combined constitute a large area of the richest and best improved farmland in the southwestern part of the State, and one in which a total failure of crop has never been known: a statement that cannot be made in connection with other portions in the county.
    It must in justice also be said that this statement applies to the entire "Whitewater Country" (and it may truthfully be added that the part referred to, is by all odds and in every particular the very best part of county).
    The first settlement at this point appears to have ben made in 1858 on what is now the farm of Harrison Stearns.

    During that and the following year a company from the eastern part of the state laid out the town of Towanda on the west side of the river, and began building a large hotel, the cellar of which may yet be seen. The supposed discovery of pearls in the shellfish of the Whitewater caused the parties in charge to suspend work for the more congenial business of pearl-fishing of which they aquaired quite a number. Ascertaining however that they were not genuine and of but little value, they abandoned the town and the country considerably disgusted. 
    Subsequently, a trading post was established on the east side of the Whitewater by J.R. Mead who in the winter of 1868 had the town replatted, when, having transformed his interests, the purchaser I. Mooney, changed the site to the hill adjoining, and on which the town is now built.
    The building of the Ft. Scott and Wichita rail-road in 1883 gave new life to the town during which it more than doubled in size and population, and causing the development of a number of its natural resources of the country immediately surrounding. 

    Aside from the agricultural interest, which as I said before are large, the quarrying and shipping of stone, has for the past year been constantly on the increase until that industry now exceeds all others here. The discovery of immense beds of almost pure lime just east of town has caused considerable excitement, and capitalists from the east are building large works for the purpose of manufacturing lime, the rail-road Co. putting in a switch to facilitate the shipping. This is a good point for the manufacture of brick, the best lay in the State for that purpose existing here in large quantities. There is also an opening for a large grist mill, the river adjoining affording ample power for driving the machinery. 
    No better point in the State can be found for the investment of capital in the enterprises mentioned. None of them as yet have been fully developed and the demand for their productions has always exceeded the supply. A future market is assured: the settlement of the western part of the stat requiring yearly more of the building materials found here in such large quantities, and which are lacking there to a remarkable extent. No stone of any value being found west of the Whitewater.
    The location is healthy, the citizens intelligent enterprising and social; The business part of the town consists of two dry-goods and grocery stores, two drug-stores, one hard-ware and one agriculture store, one harness, one carriage and wagon, two blacksmiths and one butchers shop, and last but not least a newspaper office. 
    Towanda is doing more business at this time than any place of or near its size in the country, owing to two facts, the first being its location commanding the trade, and the second being the liberality of its business men.
    Of the men who have stood by the town from the first with an abiding faith in its future combined with that of the State and the county, it is not out of place to mention its foirst founder, Hon. I. Mooney; H. Stearns, D.H. Cupp, D. Mosier, the Ralson boys, R. Jones, Josh Shriver, R.B. McClure, Davis and the Kapus boys. These men belong to the old pioneer stock, they endured off the privations incident to the settlement of a now country, and their pluck and perseverance has been rewarded by the possession of good homes with a competence for declining years.

The first mention of a local library in Towanda, KS was found in the Towanda Herald in the late 1800's. 

- November 18, 1886: The Library Association has ordered 50 more books for the library - Towanda Herald.
- November 25, 1886: The Towanda Library is now kept at the P.O. in a book case with a glass front, and the books are safe from exposure to dust ect. Members using the Library will be able to see the books in the case, and pick out the ones they wish to borrow and will be expected to return them in as good condition as they get them, - Towanda Herald. 
- December 2, 1886: The Library now has 100 books, and the trustees have sent for a lot more. Now is the time to become a member of the Library Association. -Towanda Herald. 
- December 23, 1886: The Towanda Library Association has been favored through congress-man Ryan by the receipt per mail of a very fine map of the United States, measuring about 6ft by 5ft, if the latest date. Also a promise of several books. - Towanda Herald. 
- February 3, 1887: TIME TO WAKE UP! One member of the Library Assn has already read 40 books, since its formation. That is right, so lay in a good store of knowledge, and make use of all of your privileges. - Towanda Herald.

​Printed notice in the Towanda Herald on June 9, 1887 speaks of a meeting regarding the Towanda Library Association. 

 - June 16, 1887: ON WEDNESDAY EVENING NEXT, JUNE 22nd there will be an ICE CREAM FESTIVAL and Social Entertainment, given by the Literary Association in the vacant post office building, on Main Street. The Committee, (consisting of nearly all the ladies in town) will spare no pains to make this a splendid affair. All are invited to attend. Such members as reside beyond the soliciting limits, will please do their share of "coming to eat" and enjoy themselves. The proceeds are to replenish the Library with some of the best books to be had. - Towanda Herald. 
- July 7, 1887: Another order for about 30 new books has been sent by the Trustees of the Library Association, Towanda. - Towanda Herald. 
- July 21, 1887: The books for the library arrived Tuesday evening; there are 41 of them, and Towanda can, thanks to her enterprising lady citizens, boast a magnificent library of select works. - Towanda Herald. 
 - August 11, 1887: Towanda Library Association. The annual meeting of the subscribers to the above association will be held on Friday evening August 26, 1887 at 8 P.M. when new officers will be elected and subscriptions received. - Towanda Herald. 

​


​This is the first mention of the library association with a name, "The Chenoweth Library Association of Towanda" as printed in the Towanda Herald on September 15, 1887. 

- January 19, 1888: What is going to be done about the library association? There is a large and splendid selection of books, and we want the institution kept up. Let us call a meeting at once. - Towanda Herald 
- August 23, 1888: NOTICE: The regular annual meeting of the Chenoweth Library Association of Towanda will meet at the Herald office next Friday, August 24th at 8O'Clock PM. SB Foster, President and E. David Jr, Secretary. - Towanda Herald. 
- August 30, 1888: TOWANDA LIBRARY. The Chenoweth Library Association of Towanda held their annual meeting last Friday evening and elected the following officers: S.B. Foster, president, A. Loncer, Vice President, Chas Vandenberg, treasurer, and E. Davis, Jr. Secretary. E. Davis Snr, A. Swiggett, and J. Blake, Mrs. Vandenberg, and Ms. Ida Fulton were elected trustees. It was resolved that the annual dues be reduced to one dollar for the first year, seventy five cents for the second, and fifty for the third and every year afterwards. 

This article was published in the Towanda Herald on October 11, 1888 to help push membership of the local library. 

- December 6, 1888: NOTICE: The Chenoweth Library Association Towanda will on Friday evening December 14, 1888 hold a box festival in Towanda. Each lady is requested to bring a box of lunch sufficient for two, which box will be sold to the highest bidder. The proceeds to be appropriated to the purchase of new books for the library. - Everybody invited. D.  JD Godfrey Auctioneer, by order of the committee. - Towanda Herald. 
- December 13, 1888: FOOD FOR THE BODY AND FOOD FOR THE MIND. The Chenoweth Library Festival will be held in the church at Towanda, tomorrow evening, Friday the 14th. Come every body and have a good time. We want new books for the library and new members to join in. - Towanda Herald.
- December 20, 1888: The library box festival which had been adjourned from the Friday previous on account of the weather, came off on Tuesday evening with all the success we could expect under the circumstance. Such an arrangement for an evening entertainment could not help but being the source of much merriment and fun; and the sale of the boxes and the consequent pairing of different people increased the hilarity. All who were not there missed a fine time, we hope to see many box socials in the future.  - Towanda Herald.
 - January 3, 1889: The Chenoweth Library Association are arranging for a festival shortly, to raise funds for a new bookcase, as the one they have is full to overflowing; they ought to get a big one and a good one while they are about it. - Towanda Herald. 
 - January 31, 1889: SPECIAL MEETING. Of the Chenoweth Library Association, Towanda, will be held a the church next Saturday, Feb 2 at 7:30PM, for the purpose of electing a treasurer and transacting other necessary business. The attendance of all is respectfully requested. - Towanda Herald.
 - March 14, 1889: The Chenoweth Library Association met last Saturday evening and elected J.L. Mosier for treasurer, and to fill the two vacant places in the Trustees Mrs. Wm Green and W.W. Angelton. They have concluded to take a more commodious book-case and a few other improvements. This association has withstood the pressure of adverse times and is now in a healthy financial condition. All are invited to join the Association. Entrance fee $1. - Towanda Herald. 
 - March 21, 1889: S.B. Foster is making the bookcase for the Towanda Library Association. It is to have four glass doors, and will be a commodious and handsome case. - Towanda Herald. 

Rules and regulations of the Chenoweth Library Association as published in the Towanda Herald on April 4th, and again on July 4 and July 11, 1889.  On July 18, 1889, it was printed: We reprint the rules and regulations of the Chenoweth Library Association of this town. Join at once to contribute your mite towards purchasing a new lot of books.  When the rules were printed on August 1st and 8th, it stated: We are pleased to note the growing interest in the Chenoweth Library Association of this town, and glad to see the board once more taking a vigorous hold of business. A large attendance at the Lawn Social announced in another column, means an additional set of select works to the library itself. This institution is now several years old, and affords an immense amount of reading for pleasure time of an instructive and entertaining character, for those whose cluttered tastes find no interest in frequenting of low resorts. All are invited to join. Membership fee $1.00. Note rules of association printed below. 

We again found the rules and regulations printed in a sublimest issue of the Towanda Herald on August 7, 1890.

Click images to enlarge:

- May 30, 1889 and June 6, 1889: The library here positively needs and deserves more support and attention than it gets; members will please take notice that it is to the interest of the association to work for it. - Towanda Herald 

- June 27, 1889: Everybody in this and the adjoining townships ought to take a membership in the Library Association of this town. The fee is only $1 and a due after the first of the year of 75 cents, afterwards, only 50 cents per year. This is a good chance to get fresh and choice reading, and the rate for full membership, as low as they can be made. Bring your $s and join at once. - Towanda Herald.
 - August 1, 1889: ---A LAWN SOCIAL--- An ice cream festival will be held at Holt's Grove Saturday evening August 10th, 1889. Proceeds to be applied for purchasing new books for the Chenoweth Library, of this town. All are invited to come and have a good time. - Towanda Herald.
- January 9, 1890:  We would like to see the members of the Chenoweth Library association get together and see if they can not devise some scheme to procure a fresh supply of books. Now with the long evenings people want something to read, and what can be better of cheaper than the membership of this Library: There are now over 160 vols. of choice works to choose from and the membership fee is only $1.00 for the first year, 75 cents for the second year and 50 cents per year after. - Towanda Herald. 
 - July 17, 1890: Members of the Chenoweth Library Association will please take notice that you are all requested to be present at the next annual  meeting on evening of the fourth Friday in August - by order of Secretary. - Towanda Herald.
 - August 7, 1890: Remember the Chenoweth Library Association hold their annual meeting on Friday evening the 29th of August at this office; all interested both ladies and gentlemen are respectfully and earnestly requested to attend as the association will then be either continued or suspended indefinitely, according to the decision which must be made that evening. 7:30P.M. sharp - by order, Secretary. - Towanda Herald. 
- September 18, 1890: How about our library? Are the citizens of this town going to do anything with it? it is here, and yours if you want it. Just think of it $100 worth of property in books in town begging to be owned. Any one who feels interested in the subject are requested to apply at this office. - Towanda Herald
- October 23, 1890: More mammoth Cyclopedias, and sets of Dickens works. Come along and get your books - a whole library for next to nothing. - Towanda Herald. 

    The Nokomis Club of Towanda is credited with beginning the Towanda Public Library. The library was first opened to the public on December 19, 1936 and was located in the old Sutcliffe Drug Store building. The first books were presented to the library by members and friends of the organization (Nokomis Club). Amy Lee Garrison, Evelyn Pierce (Nace) and Helen Casida were appointed to catalog the books and formulate rules for the library's operation. The library was open from 2:00PM to 5:00PM on Saturday's, with Nokomis Club members acting as librarians. By January 11, 1937, members were asked to look for another case to hold the increasing number of books.
    On Septemer 13, 1937, Nokomis members were proud to announce the first day for the traveling library. Candy sales and cooked food bazaars financed the project.
    January 23, 1939, was a discouraging day for the library. The Nokomis Club voted to put a notice in the local newspaper that the library would be closed until further notice. 
    A library council, representing a number of local organizations, was appointed to get the library going again. A member of the following groups composed the library council: E.M.B. Club, Farm Bureau, Nokomis, and the City Council. 
    In September 1958, the Nokomis Club gave a memorial book in memory of Carol (Seglem) Campbell. The practice has continued down though the years in order to honor deceased members of the Nokomis Club. 
    The library was later moved from the Sutcliffe Drug Store building to the building across the street. Next, the library moved to the Masonic pulsing and then to the Country Kitchen building, before moving to its present location. 
    Though some of the library records are missing, it has been determined that the following ladies have served in the capacity of librarian: Mrs. Froelich, Mrs. Ruth Watson, Mrs. Winnie Hess, Mrs. Betty Maish and Mrs. Hazel Hall, the present librarian.
    Many local citizens have served on the library board down through the years of its operation. Some of these volunteers have served in this capacity for a number of years. Volunteers have included: Amy Lee Garrison, Evelyn Nace, Helen Casida, Merle Carter, Maxine Robison, Nadine Reed, Josephine Steele, Mrs. Edgar Welch, Mrs. Early McGinnis, Mrs. Fred Woelk, Mrs. James Doty, Mrs. Howard Wait, Mrs. H.G. Ward, Mrs. Wilbur White, Mrs. Opal Hummel, Mrs. Albert Pyle, Mrs. Ben Whitemore, Mrs. Frank Walthers, Mrs.. Early Easley, Mrs. Jake Leeper, Mrs.Floyd Mills, Mrs. Winifred Hess, Mrs. Berniece Davis, Mrs. Carney, Mrs. Nellie Easter, Mrs. Charles Gamble, Mrs. M Wilson, Mrs. Babcock, Mrs. Wheeler, Mrs.John Ramp, Mrs. West, Mrs. Anderson, Mrs. Bill Shrader, Mrs. Kenneth Hodgens, Mrs. Paul Towne, Mrs. Ernest Clark, Mrs. Ralph Carlson, Mrs. Robert Waters, Mrs. Loren Denney, Mrs. BEtty Maish, Mrs. Les Litton, Mrs. J.M. Bressler, Mrs. Joan Boyer, Mrs. DeLong, Mrs. Weal, Mrs. Norma Martin, Mrs. Helen Wright, Mrs. Mary Miller, Mrs. Helen Dunlap, Mrs. Nora Jean McWilliams, Mrs. Merton Reed, Mrs. Henrietta Cole, Mrs. Betty Smalley, Mrs. Cutis Sommers, Mrs. Don Lester, Mrs. Ned Zachary's, Mrs. Harold Howard, Mrs. Robery Anderson, and Mrs. Herry Wathen.
    Storytime for pre-schoolers (ages 3-5) was begun in 1971 by the Aquarius Junior Club of Towanda. Members of the organization acted as "storytellers" and helped the youngsters have a meaningful group activity. This feature of the library program continues today, with an average attendance of 15-20 lively youngsters every Wednesday, October through April of each year. 
    Today, the library has a total of 4,575  books in its collection: 2,478 adult;2,057 children and juvenile. This includes fiction, non-fiction, science fiction, western , mystery, reference books, and a collection of paperback books. Also, there are 23 cassette tapes, a tape player, records, magazines and a talking book machine for use by the blind or physically handicapped. All of these can be checked out, with the exception of the book, "History of Butler County, Kansas," by Vol. P. Mooney. Anyone may come to the library and read this book. Also, in the collection are books from the rotating book collection of the South Central Kansas Library System in Hutchinson. Each month the book truck visits the library and a total of 210 to 220 books are exchanged. This gives us a chance to offer a number of newer books for use by our borrowers. 
    Since joining the South Central Kansas Library Systems in 1970, The Towanda Public Library services have greatly improved. This is a list of things that may be borrowed through interlibrary loan from the System: books, magazines, pamphlets, maps, government documents, records (all kinds), cassette tapes, filmstrips, directories, encyclopedias, large print books and talking books. All services from the System are free to borrower. 
    Films may be borrowed from the Central Film Library at the Wichita Public Library. All you need to do is contact your librarian. The library has a film catalogue of all the films for use by individuals, service organizations, churches, study groups, youth organizations, and other groups who may want to use a film for a program or meeting. Public, parochial and private schools may not borrow films except for special assembly programs. The library pays the postage, so this service is also free. 
    Books for rural residents may be borrowed from the System by ordering from the mail-a-book catalogue, dial-a-book, or requesting it through the library.
    Children's services include puppet shows and other materials which may be requested from the System to be used for story hour groups. 
    Each summer the Towanda Public Library sponsors a summer reading program. All materials for this is furnished by the South Central System. The number enrolling in this program each summer has varied from 60 to 90 children during the past three years. 
    Services to the blind and physically handicapped are talking books, which are books and magazines on recorded discs, and cassettes which are produced especially for those whose casual or physical handicap presents them from reading conventional print books and magazines. 
    During the year 1975, the Towanda Public Library added 103 new children and juvenile books; 13 used juvenile books, which were donated; fifty-nine new adult books; and 218 used paperback and hardback adult books, which were also donated. A total of 4,506 books, 22 magazines, 7 cassettes and 42 records were checked out to borrowers. Requested from the South Central System were 41 books, 5 cassettes and 6 films from the film library in Wichita. Other libraries requested 15 books from our library through interlibrary loan. 

The Times
​By Denise Karst, Times Correspondent
​Published April 10, 1988

  In September 2005, Jan Van Buskirk resigned as Library Director of 15 years. She served from 1990 - 2005.
  In November 2005, Joy Barron was hired as assistant library director. Since her hiring, she has processed all materials for the library and has been in charge of all Inter-Library Loans.  Joy came to the library with 10 years of working in bigger libraries. Joy was a certified middle school and high school teacher. When she began her career at the Towanda Public Library, the shelving was chaotic. Books were grouped by subject or by a Book Club and she worked to get the books in library form.
  In 2006, Shawna Mosier was hired as Storytime Director. Joy Barron put the shelf list in complete order and processed all materials that were in the library through the South Central Kansas Library System.
  In 2007, Julia Kohler resigned as Director. Joy Barron kept the library open and functioning during the transition.  Judith Burris became the new Library Director.
  From 2008 until 2010, They had a library cat named Larry. His litter box was in one of the restrooms. 
  During 2009, the library collection was deleted and reentering began as Joy Barron started adding each item back into the computer. Library hours were changed to 10 am to 6pm, on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and 10am to noon on Saturday.
  The library became automated in 2010. 
In 2011, Judy Burris passed away. Once again Joy Barron kept the library open and functioning with some help in the afternoon from Shawna Mosier.  The library was closed on Saturdays during this time. By December that year, Rachel Ayers was hired as Library Director.
  Larry Baron purchased and installed window blinds in 2012, and Ashton Tillotson was hired to assist in the library in 2014.
In 2015, Rachel Ayers resigned as director in May. Joy once again stood in the gap to keep the library functioning. Jan Tillotson was hired as Director and assumed her duties in June 2015. Jan had the counter and patron computers rearranged to utilize space and security better.
  Jan Tillotson resigned as director in March 2016 and Cole Everhart was hired as the new director. The library began to have parties for the library staff and city workers. The library began Storytime bringing more people into the library. 
  In 2016, Ashton Tillotson resigned.  In 2017, the Z art piece donated by Ed Rando was in need of repairs.

  In 2017, the Library board approved the purchase of a storage shed to place on the north side of the building. The Towanda Fire Department participates in the last Storytime of the year to entice more children to attend. 
  A permanent sign showing operating hours for the library was added to the front door in 2018, as well as new flooring. The library hosted an ice cream social. The Z art piece from Ed Rando was repaired and painted. 
 In 2019, Friends of the Library gave money to purchase 5 new patron chairs. New computer tables were also added, as well as a rug for Storytime.  A new installed drop box was installed by City worked, Mike Rose.

  In 2020, a new computer system, Apollo, was installed.
  In 2021, during covid, the library delivered materials to some of the aging patrons in town. Patron Linda Girod Pierce helped Cole Everhart install a Wallace.com mural on the wall. Adult Bookcases were assembled by board member, Quentin Sage. And by 2022 all bookcases had been replaced. 
  A new metal roof was installed on the library in 2023, and the shed was painted to match. New address street numbers were attached to the front of the building.
 Assistant Library Director, Joy Barron has the longest tenure of working at the Towanda Library. It will be 19 years in November of 2024. 

This was an article about Towanda, Kansas published in the Walnut Valley Times on March 31, 1899.  It gives a current state of the town at the at time, including brief descriptions of some of the residents.  

Do you have any relatives listed?  We would love to include more photos of the people mentioned in this article.  Please contact the TAH Museum at 316-536-2500 or info@storyoftowanda.org.