Everyday El Dorado

Learn more about the Fine Art of Living Well Everyday in El Dorado by visiting EverydayElDorado.com

I recently had the opportunity to visit the Coutts Museum for their current Museum-wide exhibit “What is Art?” The exhibit features: Sculpture and 2D work from Dallas Dodge Prints from Jennifer Callaway Jewelry from Jillian Marsh Graffiti from Belle Rausch - Wichita Weavers, Spinners, and Dyers Guild As well as an installation piece from curator Sheila Yrjanainen The exhibit runs from August 5 - October 28, 2021 Visit EverydayElDorado.com to learn more about the people, places and things to do in El Dorado, Butler County, Kansas.

Susan B. Allen Memorial Hospital opened its doors on September 19, 1931.   Ninety years later, they celebrated their continued service to El Dorado and the surrounding communities with an employee appreciation luncheon. On Monday, September 20, 2021, a birthday celebration was held on the lawn in front of the section of the hospital building that houses the original structure. Learn more at EverydayElDorado.com 

May 6th is this year's National Day of Prayer and the day will begin in El Dorado with the Annual Mayor's Prayer Breakfast.  Robin Forpahl is the guest speaker at this year's event which will be held at the Civic Center.   The Butler County Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) meets quarterly to give partners an opportunity to stay up to date with one another and plan for Hazard Materials training. Keri Korthals, Butler County Emergency Management Director tells more about the committee and it's function.  Learn more at EverydayElDorado.com

Butler Community College instructors Larry Friesen and Amanda Hadley have been named recipients of the John and Suanne Roueche Excellence Awards for 2021. Each year the awards are presented by the League for Innovation in the Community College. EverydayElDorado.com

"Crossroads: Change in Rural America" is a Smithsonian Traveling Exhibit and Butler County Historical Society Home of the Kansas Oil Museum is a partner site and host to "The Changing Faces and Place in Butler County." Community Aid Network (CAN) is a local resource to help those in financial need and volunteers Barbara Day, Joy Cushman and Dorthy Beer shares with me about the services provided. Numana hosts a monthly "Serve Local" food packing event and I spoke with Event Coordinator Rachel Lacerda to learn more.  Learn more at EverydayElDorado.com

Nancy Griggs, according to an article in the Walnut Valley Times in 1895, was described as a women who “…came of that sturdy, rugged pioneer stock, whose indomitable will, honesty and courage laid the foundation of this nation and paved the way, through untold hardships for a civilization, the broadest and highest in the worlds history. This was the atmosphere in which she was reared and these were the environments in which she grew to womanhood.” When Nancy (Johnson) Cowley Griggs came to Kansas Territory, with her first husband Matthew Cowley in 1857, it was home to several tribes of Native American’s who were at war with each other and with the incoming settlers. According to reports, she won their confidence, ministered to the sick, fed the hungry and became famous among them.  She acquired a practical knowledge of their use of herbs as medicine and became adept in their application. She studied nature and nature’s remedies and went on to marry Albert (A.O.) Griggs on October 25, 1874.  Following their marriage, Nancy moved her healing practice into town where she became known as the Great Indian Doctor. Learn more at EverydayElDorado.com

The Culinary Arts program at Butler Community College is moving forward with what some are calling “Culinary 2.0.”  Scott Redler, co-founder and COO of the fast-casual restaurant franchise, Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, and wife Betsy announced Thursday, that they and Vantage Point Properties, Inc. are making significant donations to the Butler Community College Foundation to support the growth and expansion of Butler’s award-winning Culinary Arts program. The cash and land gifts prepare Butler’s Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management programs to make significant enhancements. The result will be a brand-new teaching and entertaining facility in Andover’s hottest development area on Kellogg. The building will serve as a state-of-the-art training facility for the Culinary and Hospitality program while providing students the opportunity to showcase their unique cuisines to the public. Learn more at EverydayElDorado.com

Frank Gordy is the namesake of Gordy Park and Gordy Street, both located in the heart of El Dorado, Kansas.  The 140 acre tract which comprised the original townsite was entered on March 23, 1868, by B. Frank Gordy, and a plat of the townsite filed for record in the succeeding month. Shortly after entering his claim, Gordy sold a fifth interest each to Henry Martin, Samuel Langdon and Byron O. Carr, and with them formed the El Dorado Town Company. Town lots were laid out and sold to all who would improve them, at the rate of $10 per lot. In this episode, we learn a little more about Gordy and his contribution to El Dorado's history. Visit EverydayElDorado.com as well celebrate 150 years in El Dorado. 

On this episode, we hear from El Dorado native Sierra Marie Bonn, Miss Southwest 2020, as she shares a bit of history on scholarship programs through the years in Kansas, including a fun fact about El Dorado's connection with the Miss Kansas Organization.  Learn more about Sierra by visiting documentary.sierrabonn.com

William Hildebrand is listed as the first white settler in Butler County.  He is also identified as a horse thief.  Nothing else is mentioned about him in the history books.  But there is always more to a story... Celebrating 150 Years in El Dorado is brought to you through a partnership with Everyday El Dorado in conjunction with Golden Road Studios, Butler County Historical Society Home of the Kansas Oil Museum, the City of El Dorado, KBTL 88.1 The Grizz and our series sponsor, Linda Baines, Realtor with SunGroup Real Estate and Appraisals. Visit us on the web at EverydayElDorado.com

William Hildebrand is listed as the first white settler in Butler County.  He is also identified as a horse thief.  Nothing else is mentioned about him in the history books.  But there is always more to a story... Celebrating 150 Years in El Dorado is brought to you through a partnership with Everyday El Dorado in conjunction with Golden Road Studios, Butler County Historical Society Home of the Kansas Oil Museum, the City of El Dorado, KBTL 88.1 The Grizz and our series sponsor, Linda Baines, Realtor with SunGroup Real Estate and Appraisals. Visit us on the web at EverydayElDorado.com

Judge J.C. Lambdin was the Chairman of the Board of Eldorado Town Company in September 1871, when election was first held for Mayor, Council Members and Sheriff.  This election on September 12, 1871, marked the date we officially recognize as the founding of El Dorado but was not the town's beginning.   The beginning is documented as June 15, 1857 when a group of men from Lawrence headed West to expand the voting district for the Free State Party.  They eventually settled along the West Branch of the Walnut River and named their settlement Eldorado and incorporated the Eldorado Town Company with the Kansas Territorial Legislature on February 6, 1858 Lambdin originally arrived in Butler County in August of 1857 and helped to form Chelsea.   This series is brought to you through a partnership with Everyday El Dorado in conjunction with Golden Road Studios, Butler County Historical Society Home of the Kansas Oil Museum, the City of El Dorado, KBTL 88.1 The Grizz and our series sponsor, Linda Baines, Realtor with SunGroup Real Estate and Appraisals. Visit us on the web at EverydayElDorado.com

Brigadier General Alfred Washington Ellet was born on October 11, 1820 and the 200th anniversary of his birth is this year (2020). Ellet began investing in El Dorado in 1873 and made many trips to visit his son, Edward (E.C.) Ellet, before finally locating Butler County. Along with his son Edward, and friend Nathan Frazier, he helped organize the Bank of El Dorado, which eventually became Farmers and Merchants Bank. His last name may sound familiar to many because it was bestowed on the building he had built for El Dorado - The Ellet Opera House. The Ellet Opera House opened in 1884, and became the cultural heart of the city.  It was the location of most public entertainment, from lectures by prominent speakers and political speeches to commencement ceremonies and church services.  The Ellet Opera house was also host to talent shows and grand balls, as well as opera singers and eventually vaudeville. A display featuring memorabilia donated to the museum by descendants of Ellet is planned as part of El Dorado’s 150th birthday celebration. This series is brought to you through a partnership with Everyday El Dorado in conjuction with Golden Road Studios, butler County Historical Society Home of the Kansas Oil Museum, the City of El Dorado, KBTL 88.1 The Grizz and our series sponsor, Linda Baines, Realtor with SunGroup Real Estate and Appraisals. Visit us on the web at EverydayElDorado.com

Brigadier General Alfred Washington Ellet was born on October 11, 1820 and the 200th anniversary of his birth is this year (2020).  Ellet began investing in El Dorado in 1873 and made many trips to visit his son, Edward (E.C.) Ellet, before finally locating Butler County. Along with his son Edward, and friend Nathan Frazier, he helped organize the Bank of El Dorado, which eventually became Farmers and Merchants Bank. His last name may sound familiar to many because it was bestowed on the building he had built for El Dorado - The Ellet Opera House. The Ellet Opera House opened in 1884, and became the cultural heart of the city.  It was the location of most public entertainment, from lectures by prominent speakers and political speeches to commencement ceremonies and church services.  The Ellet Opera house was also host to talent shows and grand balls, as well as opera singers and eventually vaudeville. A display featuring memorabilia donated to the museum by descendants of Ellet is planned as part of El Dorado’s 150th birthday celebration.  This series is brought to you through a partnership with Everyday El Dorado in conjuction with Golden Road Studios, butler County Historical Society Home of the Kansas Oil Museum, the City of El Dorado, KBTL 88.1 The Grizz and our series sponsor, Linda Baines, Realtor with SunGroup Real Estate and Appraisals. Visit us on the web at EverydayElDorado.com

This is the second part to the episode "Free State or Bust and the Political Climate in Kansas surrounding the founding of El Dorado" Guest and Historical Consultant, Ken Spurgeon helps to give a bigger picture of the state of affairs in the Kansas Territory leading up to the founding of Eldorado as a town, in 1858; Kansas as a state, in 1861; and some of the factors that led to the Civil War. Founded as a city of the third class on September 12, 1871, El Dorado was first founded as Eldorado Town Company on February 6, 1858 by an act of the Kansas Territory Legislature. El Dorado's history has been past down through the history books, but is it accurate?  This series will take a look at the stories we've been told and uncover the stories we haven't been told that were lost to time. Subscribe to the podcast to join us as we hunt for history and revive the ghosts of El Dorado's past. This series is brought to you through a partnership with Everyday El Dorado in conjuction with Golden Road Studios, butler County Historical Society Home of the Kansas Oil Museum, the City of El Dorado, KBTL 88.1 The Grizz and our series sponsor, Linda Baines, Realtor with SunGroup Real Estate and Appraisals. Visit us on the web at EverydayElDorado.com

Free State or Bust and the Political Climate in Kansas surrounding the founding of El Dorado.   Guest and Historical Consultant, Ken Spurgeon helps to give a bigger picture of the state of affairs in the Kansas Territory leading up to the founding of Eldorado as a town, in 1858; Kansas as a state, in 1861; and some of the factors that led to the Civil War. Founded as a city of the third class on September 12, 1871, El Dorado was first founded as Eldorado Town Company on February 6, 1858 by an act of the Kansas Territory Legislature. El Dorado's history has been past down through the history books, but is it accurate?  This series will take a look at the stories we've been told and uncover the stories we haven't been told that were lost to time. Subscribe to the podcast to join us as we hunt for history and revive the ghosts of El Dorado's past. This series is brought to you through a partnership with Everyday El Dorado in conjuction with Golden Road Studios, butler County Historical Society Home of the Kansas Oil Museum, the City of El Dorado, KBTL 88.1 The Grizz and our series sponsor, Linda Baines, Realtor with SunGroup Real Estate and Appraisals. Visit us on the web at EverydayElDorado.com

Do you say El-Door-A-doh or do you say El-door-Ah-doh?  How did the founding father's say it and has it remained the same or changed over the years?   In this episode, we discover the road taken to arrive in El Dorado and what the original settlers found when they got here. Founded as a city of the third class on September 12, 1871, El Dorado was first founded as Eldorado Town Company on February 6, 1858 by an act of the Kansas Territory Legislature. El Dorado's history has been past down through the history books, but is it accurate?  This series will take a look at the stories we've been told and uncover the stories we haven't been told that were lost to time. Subscribe to the podcast to join us as we hunt for history and revive the ghosts of El Dorado's past. This series is brought to you through a partnership with Everyday El Dorado in conjuction with Golden Road Studios, butler County Historical Society Home of the Kansas Oil Museum, the City of El Dorado, KBTL 88.1 The Grizz and our series sponsor, Linda Baines, Realtor with SunGroup Real Estate and Appraisals. Visit us on the web at EverydayElDorado.com

Do you say El-Door-A-doh or do you say El-door-Ah-doh?  How did the founding father's say it and has it remained the same or changed over the years?  This excerpt is from our upcoming episode title "All Roads Lead to El Dorado (or Eldorado) and the Search for Gold"  to air on KBTL 88.1 locally Wednesday, September 16th at 12 p.m. and can be heard by streaming online at kbtl.butercc.edu  Founded as a city of the third class on September 12, 1871, El Dorado was first founded as Eldorado Town Company on February 6, 1858 by an act of the Kansas Territory Legislature. El Dorado's history has been past down through the history books, but is it accurate?  This series will take a look at the stories we've been told and uncover the stories we haven't been told that were lost to time. Subscribe to the podcast to join us as we hunt for history and revive the ghosts of El Dorado's past. This series is brought to you through a partnership with Everyday El Dorado in conjuction with Golden Road Studios, butler County Historical Society Home of the Kansas Oil Museum, the City of El Dorado, KBTL 88.1 The Grizz and our series sponsor, Linda Baines, Realtor with SunGroup Real Estate and Appraisals. Visit us on the web at EverydayElDorado.com

We are beginning a new series here on Everyday El Dorado in celebration of El Dorado's 150th year. Founded as a city of the third class on September 12, 1871, El Dorado was first founded as Eldorado Town Company on February 6, 1858 by an act of the Kansas Territory Legislature. El Dorado's history has been past down through the history books, but is it accurate?  This series will take a look at the stories we've been told and uncover the stories we haven't been told that were lost to time. Subscribe to the podcast to join us as we hunt for history and revive the ghosts of El Dorado's past. This series is brought to you through a partnership with Everyday El Dorado in conjuction with Golden Road Studios, butler County Historical Society Home of the Kansas Oil Museum, the City of El Dorado, KBTL 88.1 The Grizz and our series sponsor, Linda Baines, Realtor with SunGroup Real Estate and Appraisals. Visit us on the web at EverydayElDorado.com