Historic Playing Card Project
It was nine months ago that we introduced a unique fundraiser to our membership in the form of historic playing cards. We invited our members to be the first to sponsor individual cards with photos of family members, past or present, or any other interesting photos for a deck of cards. Those sponsorships went so quickly we didn't even get it advertised outside the membership! Everyone who sponsored a card has been eagerly awaiting the arrival of the cards and NOW they're here! We are pleased with the results and eager for you to see them (and to buy them!)
Decks sell for $10 each and they will make great gifts. These are available at the museum/art gallery gift shop.
Our summer hours are: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday, and 1-5 p.m. Sunday.
5.25.10---May Museum Newsletter
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The El Quartelejo Museum is located at 902 West 5th Street (West Highway 96) in Scott City. They are open Monday-Friday 1pm-5pm or by appointment. Call 602. 872.5912 or 620.872.5718 to make an appointment.
The El Quartelejo Museum exhibits mark a timeline of history in Western Kansas. Fifty million years ago this area was covered by an inland sea. The fossil remains of sea creatures and shells are found in the chalk formations in Scott, Logan, Gove, and other nearby counties. Unique formations in Gove County are called The Monument Rocks (see above...) and were used by early travelers as landmarks. The museum has a sandbox with fossils hidden inside for children to discover. A complete fossil of a Gillicus is displayed. (See below...)
Prehistoric Native Americans migrated through Scott County over a period of thousands of years. The natural springs in addition to the bluffs and streams in the Scott Lake area attracted deer, buffalo, antelope, and hunters. Prior to the introduction of horses into America, the dwellings of the native peoples were smaller but still portable.
An important chapter in the history of Native America is told in the recorded story of the Pueblo Indians. They traveled to this area in western Kansas from New Mexico to escape the harsh treatment of the Spanish. This journey took place in the 1600s. This group of Pueblo Indians settled in the Scott State Park area. They were "growers" and used irrigation techniques to water their corn, squash, and other crops. The ruins of a pueblo, El Quartelejo, were first excavated in 1898 and are still visible at the state park, 12 miles north of Scott City.
The last Indian battle in Kansas was fought in Scott County. It is commonly referred to as "The Battle of Punished Woman's Fork". In 1878, a band of Northern Cheyenne Indians, who had been dwelling in Oklahoma, left the reservation, protesting their internment by the US government. They traveled to this location in Scott County, where they planned an attack on the cavalry, which was traveling from Ft Wallace.
Homesteaders began arriving in Scott County in the 1880s. Scott City was founded by a woman - Maria DeGeer from Chicago. She was a woman who was ahead of her time - very talented and educated. Due to lack of trees for lumber, homesteads were built mainly of sod. (See below...)
Important to every young and growing town were blacksmiths and railroads. Scott City was fortunate to have three railroads throughout its history. The several blacksmith shops were gathering places for men, as well as necessary to provide repairs for the area settlers.
