of Wilson, Kansas. In 1865 a Butterfield stagecoach station was built a half mile south of the present site of Wilson. "Attica" and "Bosland" were early names for the town before the U.S. Post Office decided it was "Wilson" in 1873. Large numbers of immigrants from Czechoslovakia in the 1870's came to work on the railroad and gave the area a unique culture. Francis Swehla was the first Bohemian homesteader in 1874 and was instrumental in bringing more Czech settlers to the area. Eventually Wilson was named the "Czech Capital of Kansas". J.T. McKittrick was one of the first settlers who built hotels and business, and brought the Pennsylvania-Dutch to this area. It was my interest in the Bohemian immigrants that sparked my interest in the area, but I never got to write my story. That's the old Midland Railroad Hotel in Wilson, KS above.However, my interest in Bohemian immigrants was sparked anew
when I was researching my Amana series and discovered a Czech settlement in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. That information wasn’t used in my first series, but as I began to write the first book in my new series, Home to Amana, I decided to include a Czech family. Although they don’t’ play a huge part in the story, it was fun to learn a little more of their history and visit the Czech settlement in Cedar Rapids a couple of 
years ago—especially visiting the bakery and tasting the kolaches. Don't they look wonderful?When I visited Europe this past summer, I was able to visit the Czech Republic where we toured Prague. As I viewed the beauty of the city, I was struck by the realization that you never know
when research will intersect. That visit to Wilson back in 2001 rushed to the forefront of my mind as I walked the streets of Prague and I couldn’t help but wonder if some of the first settlers to Wilson, Kansas or Cedar Rapids, Iowa had walked the same streets many years ago.May you find joy as your life intersects with others and you share the love of Jesus. ~Judy
P.S. Saturday, October 22nd is Fan Fiction Day in Lifeway Stores throughout the country. There will be wonderful sales on Christian fiction for you and for Christmas gifts and most stores will have at least one author there to sign books. I’ll be signing at the Lifeway Store in Fairlawn Plaza here in Topeka between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. so if you live nearby, please stop in and visit for a few minutes!
Judy, my husband grew up in Ellsworth, KS near Wilson, so those photos are very familiar. Ken's grandmother made a mean kolache, too! Those things are delicious!
ReplyDeleteVery much enjoyed your History lesson again Judy and the photos were good too.The kolaches looked very yummy!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it amazing how visiting one place years before, can be the trigger for a fascinating story to evolve further down the track?
The links are all there in the chain, for you to produce yet another best seller! I can hardly wait! Atta girl, and thanks for another great post!
Rosie
I haven't made any kolaches, but have several recipes, Deb. One day, I'm going to give it a try and see if mine taste like the real thing.
ReplyDeleteYou're right, Rosie. It's amazing how something from years ago can prove beneficial when it intersects with something else that occurs in our lives years later.
Loved today's history lesson, Judy---especially learning that there is a "Wilson, Kansas"---WOW! (Wilson is my maiden name*grin*). ~ So neat that you were able to visit the Prague last summer and were reminded of the town you'd visited 10 years earlier. Sounds like you have a wealth of historical info. for future stories! Hugs from Georgia, Patti Jo :)
ReplyDeleteHi Patti Jo,
ReplyDeleteI've collected lots of information, Patti JO, it's just getting it stirred up and remembered. My old gray matter doesn't want to work with me very well anymore. LOL. There's a Czech Festival in Wilson every year--I think the last weekend in July so it's always nice and hot for the event--not a time to be in western Kansas. :)
What a delight your posts are, Judy! I have a friend who's a missionary in the Czech Republic. When she left, we spoke of how "Bohemian" sounded so much more unrestrainted and exotic than "Czech." She's translated some words for me so I can have a heroine command her dogs in a strange language. Meybe I ought to have her send me some famed Czech glass beads and kolaches!
ReplyDeleteCathy
How neat! I loved reading about all this "Czech" stuff b/c most of my Mom's ancestors are from in/around Czech Republic, Slovakia, Austria, Hungary, etc. Thanks for sharing your research! (And if you ever need any Czech recipes, let me know! LOL)
ReplyDeleteOh, weren't those kolaches delicious? Just thinking about them is making me hungry. News is that the Czech museum building, which had been flooded in Cedar Rapids, has successfully been moved to its new, higher location. I wonder how long it will be before it can officially open. We may need another road trip. :)
ReplyDeleteCathy--I think the glass beads and kolaches would great--but that's just me. Give me jewelry and food and I'm good. :)
ReplyDeleteMeghan, I told both of my adult kids that if they go to Europe they absolutely MUST go to Prague. It truly is gorgeous and since that's your heritage, you should try to get over there one of these days--if you haven't already.
Lori--I do want to get back to Cedar Rapids and see the museum once it's reopened. And bakery stops are an absolute necessity!
You make me want to take a research trip, Judy! I've never been to Prague, but that's my daughter's favorite European city so it's on my list if I ever get back across "the pond."
ReplyDeleteAnd those kolaches - wow! I never saw any so large. The picture make me hungry...