The Cawker City Hesperian Historical Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the history of our town and the surrounding vicinity including Lincoln Park and Waconda Springs. The society is located in the restored 1884 Public Library building which it maintains as a city museum. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the building is made of native "post rock" limestone and is beautifully decorated with Victorian gingerbread inside and out. Among the museum's collections are many of the original books from the library as well as the geological specimens cabinet of G. W. Chapman.
The ongoing research of the society centers around the creation of a comprehensive database from "local items" gleaned from our historic newspapers as well as from tax roll and land records. Coupled with old photos of Cawker City and its citizens, this research tool enables the society to bring history to life. Recently, the historical society acquired the 1879 Ledger building and have started a fund to restore the building for additional space for the museum. Donations for this restoration project are always welcomed. |
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Above: The Women's Hesperian Library Club. Photo taken on Dec. 7, 1889 by R. M. Foster.
Below: Waconda Springs located 3 miles east of Cawker City, but which is now under Waconda Lake.
Below: Waconda Springs located 3 miles east of Cawker City, but which is now under Waconda Lake.
Below: The Ledger building, built in 1879.