APOLLO HOUSECharles Evans probably wouldn’t have built the Apollo House on Main Street except for the natural spring running through it. The spring contained lithium, known at the turn of the century to dissolve kidney stones, which was ailing Evans’ wife. He purchased the property and built a home there in 1903. It later became known as the Apollo House when Evans bought a large statue of Apollo, the Greek God of Healing, at the St. Louis Fair and placed it atop the roof. In addition to opening his home to guests, Evans began bottling the water and making soda pop, primarily sarsaparilla and ginger ale. After the bottling works closed in 1942, the house remained in the Evans family until the mid 1980s. Built by hand, from solid oak, it is a true landmark offering a glimpse into the past. The Victorian home is listed on the Clay County historical register.
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Recreating history
Historical society planning to document downtown buildings’ histories
By Kathy Crawford
It’s easy to forget with all the progression and changes in the city of Smithville about its beginnings as a small milling town in 1822. Humphrey “Yankee” Smith didn’t know when he settled with his family on the banks of Smiths Forks almost 200 years ago what would become of the village of Smith’s Mill.
But the Smithville Historical Society doesn’t plan to let the past — the setbacks or the triumphs — disappear. Historical society member Frank McMillan has a plan to breathe life into the history of Smithville.
“We’re going to try to rebuild downtown in a photo collage and then track the history of each of the downtown buildings,” Frank said.
He has already started taking photos of buildings along Main Street.
McMillan has the help of two Smithville residents who are well-versed in the past. Lou and C.F. Kindred are going through documents to put together broken pieces of history about Smithville’s older buildings.
“Lou (Kindred) is getting everything together, and I’m helping,” said C.F. Kindred. “We’ll get it done if we live long enough.”
Lou said they had given of up a portion of their living space to spread out papers like pieces of a puzzle. She’s come across many old photos and plenty of information. “We’re trying to find the second, third and fourth owners (of the buildings),” Lou said. “I’m really trying to get all of this straight.”
And that takes time, lots of time. Although they’re not sure when it will take place, a “walking tour” is being planned for the fall.
McMillan said sometime this fall the Kindreds would lead a walk around downtown Smithville.
The walking tour will be open to the public and for more information, call 898-7485.
For more information about the Smithville Historical Society, visit www.smithvillehistoricalsociety.com.
Staff writer Kathy Crawford can be reached at 532-4444 or kathycrawford@npgco.com.
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But the Smithville Historical Society doesn’t plan to let the past — the setbacks or the triumphs — disappear. Historical society member Frank McMillan has a plan to breathe life into the history of Smithville.
“We’re going to try to rebuild downtown in a photo collage and then track the history of each of the downtown buildings,” Frank said.
He has already started taking photos of buildings along Main Street.
McMillan has the help of two Smithville residents who are well-versed in the past. Lou and C.F. Kindred are going through documents to put together broken pieces of history about Smithville’s older buildings.
“Lou (Kindred) is getting everything together, and I’m helping,” said C.F. Kindred. “We’ll get it done if we live long enough.”
Lou said they had given of up a portion of their living space to spread out papers like pieces of a puzzle. She’s come across many old photos and plenty of information. “We’re trying to find the second, third and fourth owners (of the buildings),” Lou said. “I’m really trying to get all of this straight.”
And that takes time, lots of time. Although they’re not sure when it will take place, a “walking tour” is being planned for the fall.
McMillan said sometime this fall the Kindreds would lead a walk around downtown Smithville.
The walking tour will be open to the public and for more information, call 898-7485.
For more information about the Smithville Historical Society, visit www.smithvillehistoricalsociety.com.
Staff writer Kathy Crawford can be reached at 532-4444 or kathycrawford@npgco.com.