History of Waconda Heritage Village, Inc.
With the completion of Waconda Lake and the Glen Elder State Park in 1969, residents and businesses in the area formed organizations to further visitor and local use of the lake area. In 1989, one that would focus more exclusively on history and the Waconda Springs began to materialize. The Waconda Heritage Village Association, Inc. acquired its 501c3 status in 1991 with projects occurring until 2007.
1989 – The plan of preserving the history of the Waconda Mineral Springs and other Mitchell County buildings, at this location in Glen Elder State Park began with a committee in 1989.
- The goal was to preserve historic buildings available within Mitchell County moving them to create a village, which would also include a small “Waconda Mineral Springs” and dugout. Those buildings included a log cabin, small barn with a windmill, small rock house, an outhouse, saloon, teepee, little store, church, a blacksmith shop, as well as a small buffalo herd.
- From the Beloit Daily Call (September 7, 1989) – Steering Committee Members: Arvilla Heiman, Betty & Carl Fitzgerald, Eugene Thull, Erma Luckey, John and Laura McClure, Adrian Arnoldy, Warren Inskeep, Linda Hoffman, Frances Thull, Sharon Treaster.
1991 – After two years of fundraising, donations from property owners and grants from the Musnick Foundation, the group moved forward by creating by-laws and forming the Waconda Heritage Village, Inc. as a 501c3.
1992 – Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks and the Waconda Heritage Village, Inc., share a formal agreement on May 17, 1992.
Signing members on the agreement were: Betty Fitzgerald, Warren E. Inskeep, Jane Mehl, John D. McClure, Sharon Treaster & Frances Kay Thull.
1993 – Work was started on the basement for placement of the Hopewell Church, but halted because of the flood of 1993. A “tele-thon” fundraising event took place at the Glen Elder Library, that was broadcast over the Glen Elder radio station.
1994 – In November, Hopewell Church was moved from about 5 miles Southwest of Beloit. The 13-hour drive included a trip across the Glen Elder Dam.
1994-1996 – Exterior work was done on Hopewell Church
1997 – June 8, Hopewell Church was dedicated. Waconda Heritage Village Inc.: Betty Fitzgerald, President, Warren Inskeep, Vice-president, Jane Mehl, Secretary, Sharon Treaster, Treasurer, Kurt Reed, State Park Coordinator. *From an event program page
1992 – Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks and the Waconda Heritage Village, Inc., share a formal agreement on May 17, 1992.
Signing members on the agreement were: Betty Fitzgerald, Warren E. Inskeep, Jane Mehl, John D. McClure, Sharon Treaster & Frances Kay Thull.
1993 – Work was started on the basement for placement of the Hopewell Church, but halted because of the flood of 1993. A “tele-thon” fundraising event took place at the Glen Elder Library, that was broadcast over the Glen Elder radio station.
1994 – In November, Hopewell Church was moved from about 5 miles Southwest of Beloit. The 13-hour drive included a trip across the Glen Elder Dam.
1994-1996 – Exterior work was done on Hopewell Church
1997 – June 8, Hopewell Church was dedicated. Waconda Heritage Village Inc.: Betty Fitzgerald, President, Warren Inskeep, Vice-president, Jane Mehl, Secretary, Sharon Treaster, Treasurer, Kurt Reed, State Park Coordinator. *From an event program page
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1998 – In April, Waconda Indian Heritage Day was initiate; the event included authentic Native American experiences.
1999 – The new State Park Office was built at its present location, adjoining the proposed Heritage Village area. 2000 – Waconda Heritage Village Inc. proposed the idea of a replica of the Waconda Mineral Springs 2003 – North Central Kansas Technical College started dirt work for the replica mound in its present location. 2004 – Original, historical fence was installed around the ½ size replica. |
Building the Waconda Springs replica.
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2005 – June 5, the Replica of the Waconda Mineral Springs was dedicated. Waconda Heritage Village Committee Members listed on program included: Betty Fitzgerald, Warren Inskeep, Sharon Treaster, Janet Koster, John Bottom (Project Manager), John Cashatt (Project Engineer & Coordinator), Mark Koster, Arvilla Heiman, Kurt E. Reed (KDWP Liason). In honor of Jane Mehl, former secretary.
2006 – Plans were discussed to move the #3 limestone school from three miles east of Beloit to the Glen Elder State Park village area.
2007 – The Waconda Heritage Village Inc. and Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks agreement terminated on May 17, 2007.
Resource: Minutes of Waconda Heritage Village, Inc.
For More Information about the Waconda Heritage Village, Inc., please visit the the Waconda Visitor & Education Center located at the northeast entrance to Glen Elder State Park.
2006 – Plans were discussed to move the #3 limestone school from three miles east of Beloit to the Glen Elder State Park village area.
2007 – The Waconda Heritage Village Inc. and Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks agreement terminated on May 17, 2007.
Resource: Minutes of Waconda Heritage Village, Inc.
For More Information about the Waconda Heritage Village, Inc., please visit the the Waconda Visitor & Education Center located at the northeast entrance to Glen Elder State Park.
