Leave Quonsets alone
Betty J. Miller, Emporia
Monday, September 13, 2010
My wish would be to keep the Quonset buildings right where they are. They have served the fair many years — beginning in 1946 when the first one on the west side was paid for and donated by Mr. and Mrs. E.T. Anderson. That I know for a fact.
I was Mr. Anderson’s secretary when the first one was erected. When fair time came, a small wood shack was brought to the east end of the fairgrounds. I loaded Anderson’s heavy old Royal typewriter in my little black 1941 Chevrolet Coupe and typed all the fair results on it in the “little shack” and they were then given to the local newspapers.
As time went by, three more Quonsets were added — side by side.
In 1946 and 1947, Andersons furnished their equipment and their employees to build the first rodeo arena. Also many volunteers — many young and older farmers did the same. Local business people helped wherever needed, too.
The fair has had good support from Lyon County and it should always have this support for the benefit of of our 4-H Club members and all the people in this area.
The Quonsets, with thousands of square feet, have been rented out for storage. During past fairs many booths and spaces were rented to business people to advertise and sell their products. The fair needs this storage space, too. The fairgrounds has this without any added expense. Maintenance is low on these metal buildings.
The old saying applies — “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” (or destroy it)
I, for one, admire them every time I drive by the fairgrounds. The architecture involved in these round topped Quonsets is beautiful and a part of our history that shouldn’t be destroyed. They have been the highlight of the fair for 60-plus years. This includes the Anderson building, added some years ago.
Now young Mr. Bowyer is ready to donate another nice building and this is wonderful — but a much better place could be facing Highway 50 on the south or north facing 12th Avenue or the northwest corner on Industrial Road. As most of us remember, “Walgreens” wanted that corner a few years ago. The fair would be short this prime land now. Thank heaven it wasn’t sold.
I’ll be 84 years old this year and my last wish is that the fairgrounds will never be sold and continue to hold a fair every year. So many people look forward to this fair every year in this location.
Betty J. Miller, Emporia
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
This was a very good article but, I think the quonsets are a terrible eye sore to people coming to Emporia. This one million dollar gift will benefit Emporia in so many ways in these harsh economic times......This is the 20% solution for Emporia by Gerald Celente..If you have time Youtube Gerald Celente on Jeff Rense 09 Sept. 2010
September 13, 2010 at 12:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
Youtube Videos Gerald Celente on Jeff Rense 09 Sept. 2010.....the 20% solution that will bring success to the fairgrounds and Emporia.
September 13, 2010 at 12:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mds (anonymous) says...
i dont think there is anything wrong with the quonsets leave them.
September 13, 2010 at 1:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
solong (anonymous) says...
reddog, if you really want to disseminate info which you seem to take the time to learn to post links, guaranteed it will be much more effective than the way you are doing it now.
September 13, 2010 at 1:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bobhornet (anonymous) says...
Ugh..another crank who can't seem to embrace any form of progress.
September 13, 2010 at 2:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
If one or more of those huts were located in downtown Emporia, or almost anywhere else for that matter, people would be clamoring for the removal of the eyesores.
September 13, 2010 at 3:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Sorry, nice article, but eyesores just the same. They worked at the time, they have served a purpose all these years, but they are just plain ugly, especially right there at the entrance to Emporia. Juxtaposed against the new building, these are going to look all the worse. They need to go. Maybe someone can buy them for use as a hay barn.
September 13, 2010 at 3:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
I remember one time when I went to a Zoning meeting and the new business had to have so much parking and concrete drive. Someone on the planning board said, "I think we are in violation at the Lyon County Fairgrounds on the concrete matter and what about proper parking for the Lyon County Court House? If these Quonsets was located at 6th and Prairie the City would issue a demolition notice. It seems we have one set of rules for the people and another set of rules for the government.
September 13, 2010 at 4:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
emporian (anonymous) says...
I dont think the city can enforce anything on county owned property, I could be wrong though. I agree about the quonset huts being an eyesore.
September 13, 2010 at 4:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
http://www.americanpendulum.com/2010/...
September 13, 2010 at 5:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
The Collapsing America article at your link was sure an interesting read. Neither supporting or denying it at this time but it was interesting
September 13, 2010 at 5:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDwpgz...
Don't mind this. I'm trying to teach reddog how to post articles so he can stop driving us all nuts. He is my agent for renting out my apartment so I'm taking a moment to teach the old dog some new tricks. Ha!
September 13, 2010 at 5:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
biscuit, I hadn't read that Collapsing America article yet, but yes, it does sound interesting. Actually, that website is one that reddog wanted to offer on his post and I was trying to teach him how to post a link since he is always making me nuts with his "Go to." He actually posted that american pendulum link himself. Then I made him do it again completely from scratch all by himself for another link. That one is above.
He now has some notes on how to do it. Let's hope the problem is remedied. Of course my screen and my search engine looks different from his, but let's hope he makes the transfer.
Sorry for hijacking the thread, everyone. It was for a good cause.
September 13, 2010 at 5:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Just read that article, biscuit. Yes, it is very interesting. What a read. Food for thought, eh?
September 13, 2010 at 5:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Aren't the fairground quonset's a historical sight?
Can't tear anything down within 500 feet of a sight.
If it's good for a church, it's good for a county.
September 13, 2010 at 9:55 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
REWBA (anonymous) says...
Emporia just hasn't been the same since they tore down that huge Coors beer can out by the turnpike. I bet if we painted them Quonset huts to look like huge Budweiser beer cans laying in a field, not only would it look very classy reflecting Emporia's fine taste in art and culture but it would also change our luck and the town would live happily ever after. The end.
September 13, 2010 at 10:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
pizza (anonymous) says...
I think Mrs. Miller has a good point. The quonsets aren't pretty, that's for sure, but they do serve a purpose. Where are you going to put all the booths and displays that are in them during the fair? That new building certainly isn't going to be big enough to accomodate those displays.
I think we need to sit back and take a look at what kind of a building a million dollars will build. It's not all that big a deal. Yes, it is a great thing Mr. Boyer wants to donate the money for that purpose but I think it needs to be put in perspective. By the time you put in parking and utilities and other necessities there really isn't going to be that much in the building. It isn't going to be the great big deal some are thinking. Better hold on to what we have and see how it all turns out. Maybe a fresh paint job would help the appearance of the quonsets. Now if you want to get rid of the rocks.......
September 13, 2010 at 11:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
HenryVIII (anonymous) says...
Another stubborn person clinging to the past. This is exactly why our city never gets a chance to prosper.
'enry
September 14, 2010 at 12:09 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
Good post 'enry!!!
September 14, 2010 at 12:53 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
REWBA
The Bud can idea has some merit. But to really make it work we would need to move the huts around at random angles to better represent beer cans laying in some body's yard. That would however be a great cultural representation of Emporia.
Or we might just hang some of those orange sheets over them like that ad on TV. By doing that we could also call it art. Or we could just drop the artsey stuff and put up a wooden privacy fence. Either way we could have our cake and eat it to. That was one of my mom's old sayings. I never really knew what it meant.
September 14, 2010 at 3:26 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
the courthouse bonds will be paid off early. maybe the county will build something else to replace those quonset huts in addition to the Boywer building?
the idea of painting the huts like bud cans was a hoot, but instead of that:
Get a sponsorship with one of those energy drink companies, like red bull or monster.
What a way to give a boost to the tired old fairgrounds;>)
September 14, 2010 at 6:41 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justaflushaway (anonymous) says...
yep bluestem wont get to rent the huts the other 51 weeks a year for almost NOTHING, if those who kn ow tear them down.
I say DOWN WITH THEM, the grandstands and those damn rocks, build a 1/2 mile dirt track there and be done with it, and if some one along the east side bitch, tear them houses down to, can use the extra parking for racing
September 14, 2010 at 7:18 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
justa....
I'm with you on that. For most of my adult life I have envisioned a half mile dirt track there. But I'm afraid we will be eating snowballs in hell before we ever see that happen. Not classy enough for Emporia's leadership.
September 14, 2010 at 8:14 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Ya gotta love this forum at times like this.
I tell you REWBA, your tongue in cheek suggestion about beer cans is really not that bad at all. Such a novelty would attract much attention. "Dad, can we stop to see the giant beer cans?" Why we could even top the giant ball of string.
Think of the tourism dollars. The sale price for Big Lots will go up as everyone clambors for that piece.
Hmmm, if not beer cans, what other cylindrical shapes can we think of then find the sponsor for?
I've got it! How about giant clocks?
September 14, 2010 at 8:29 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
create
I am warming to this beer can idea. We could go up and down the turnpike and highway 50 from state line to state line saying "Only (so many more miles) to the GIANT BEER CANS........BE THERE." We could be every bit as famous as the giant ball of string. Why we might even become a preferred destination for things like biker rallies......and that's big bucks.
September 14, 2010 at 8:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
We could have contest for the best beer slogan such as slits the beer that made Emporia ............
September 14, 2010 at 9:28 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justaflushaway (anonymous) says...
biscuit,, watch what you say!!!!!!! smith and heidorn would NOT want those fiftly dirty worthless bikers in their little town,,,I have heard-tell that they are also a unrulely bunch who never have money, steal what the need, not to mention the drugs, pot smoking, and how they treat their women, hush now , we must not have any of that in Emporia.
September 14, 2010 at 9:54 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
Oh....sorry justa.....my bad!
September 14, 2010 at 12:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
REWBA (anonymous) says...
If we build a huge circular fence around the beer cans and decorate the inside of the fence properly, from the air it would look like a six pack floating on it's side in a stock tank filled with ice. That would attract tourists who normally just fly over us. Beer companies could compete to sponsor it annually. It could turn into a cash cow over time while reflecting our rich Midwestern culture to a world who thought we were just sweat pant wearing wal-mart shoppers.
September 14, 2010 at 1:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
b3bill (anonymous) says...
Anyone know how much rent per year that Bluestem pays for renting the Quonsets?
September 14, 2010 at 10:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
joecitizen (anonymous) says...
4 huts right, I see chocolate, raspberry, yellow cream, and cherry zingers sitting there.
September 15, 2010 at 1:43 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Between zingers and 6-paks on ice, it looks like somebody would be planning an air tour of the fairgrounds.
Those small tourist helicopters could even lift off and land on the fairgrounds.
My brother-in-law flies one of those in Hawaii. If they can fly over volcanoes they can fly over zingers and 6-paks.
September 15, 2010 at 7:07 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justaflushaway (anonymous) says...
How about getting a military drone and with great accurately,, blow the hell out of them , it would create jobs just to clean up the mess, And then if the drone has an extra rocket or two, level the rest of the area, that will make it easier for Bowyer to start improving the looks of the area, and who knows maybe some others would help with that corner of the city, and NO damn firework stands, as it will be tonight when the city will approve selling fireworks and the area will look like a tent city, hell maybe that will work, there are no jobs around, we may all be living out there 51 weeks a year, but would be kicked our for one week a year so that zimmy can make some tax money to help with his damn salary,, is there another drone in the area???
September 15, 2010 at 8:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
neighbor (anonymous) says...
Everyone that wants the Quonsets torn down, replaced, or improved..........
Make your checks payable to the Lyon Co FairBoard or to Lyon Co with designation on how the money is to be used for the Fair ground improvements.
September 15, 2010 at 11:18 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
marko (anonymous) says...
If they remove them they will fill up some other new building with the stuff they now store in at least one of them.... seems like perfectly good storage space to me.
September 15, 2010 at 1:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tosie (anonymous) says...
THANK YOU NEIGHBOR!!!! People quit your complaining and put your $$ where your mouth is, or better yet, go volunteer to help out there. It would change your tune for sure.
September 15, 2010 at 1:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
The last time somebody told me to put up or shut up, I did some volunteer work. All that did was make me mad about the time they waste screwing around and gossipping.
September 16, 2010 at 8:39 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
threecs (anonymous) says...
Just thinking that I might be more willing to volunteer working at the fair booth for my organization if I don't have to mentally and physically prepare for the heat. Those who have worked the early evening shifts out there know what I mean. Like sitting in a hot car. Some of the best volunteers have health concerns that just won't allow them to take that kind of risk.
September 16, 2010 at 1:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )