Village of Fredonia history

The State University of New York College at Fredonia was founded in 1826.

1870: The first newspaper of Wilson County, the Wilson County Courier, was published by John J. Jennings on January 20th.

Located on Chautauqua Lake, the resort town of Chautauqua contains the Chautauqua Institution (founded 1874), a centre for adult education that inspired hundreds of similar lyceums nationwide as part of the Chautauqua movement in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

1880: A new $10,000 school house was built on the Mound at the foot of Main street.

Local Facts Population: 1,300 Average Temperature: Summer – High 93 / Low 58 Winter – High 47 / Low 22 Elevation: 4,700 Established 1885

1886: On May the 4th the West Side of the Square burned.

After this terrible loss, the city government began to enact the ordinances for building that would become Fredonia's zoning laws ninety years later.1888: First graduating class of Fredonia High School.

Building was opened in 1889.

1891 the town reached its goal of expanding to 24 families.

Bunch Greenhouse was sold after being the business name since the early 1900's.

Loyd C. Bunch , florist, opened a greenhouse.1906: July there were seven automobiles in Fredonia and four more coming.

​1910: Doctor A. C. Flack moved into his new office, probably the finest building and most elegantly equipped office of any Wilson co. doctor.

1913: In May a large "vein of semi-anthracite coal" better quality than others had found in Kansas at that time was discovered near town.

12.1914: The City of Fredonia purchased the dam and water rights from Mr.

1924: The City of Fredonia sold $125,000 in bonds for the purpose of building the municipal power plant and distributng system.

Deal reported to involve one million dollars.1928: The economy in Fredonia was boosted by the opening of Archer Daniels Midland Company.

​1934: Bond issue for gymnasium and auditorium at the high school carried 2 to 1.

1939: New theatre open.

Doctor Lynn Beal moved into the offices of the late Doctor F. L Ervay at 318 N. 6th street.1949: Fall River reservoir dedicated by Gov.

1953: Doctor Hugh Bayles opened his offices at 716 Madison st.

1960: State Bank of Fredonia was robbed.

1962: Open house at the new First National Bank building.

1967: The new library, built on the grounds of the old Congregational Church, was opened to the public.

1968: The Fredonia Post Office celebrated its 100th year of founding.

In 1969, the old building was razed and the present library is built on that same ground.

1971: The last drug store soda fountain in Fredonia - at Wiggans Drug Store - discontinued service.

1975: Doctor K.R. Nevitt announced the sale of Wilco Veterinary Hospital in Fredonia to Doctor Charles Fox who will be here sometime in April to start work.

1977: Some 800 acres of sunflowers were planted in test plots in the county to determine if sunflowers could become a cash crop in Wilson County.

Fredonia City Police moved from the Law Enforcement Center to the old police station building.1979: Four bloodhounds and two managers arrived in Fredonia to aid in the search for 81 year old Argel Hunter, a Fall River township resident reported missing from his home.

The Hiawatha Redskins held on to their lead in the final minute 12-10 ending the Yellowjackets 1980 football season.

Fredonia defeats Norton 13-6 to become State Class 4A champions for 1983.

1984: May 24 - Negotiations between General Portland Cement Co. and the cement workers union apparently broke down and a strike called at the Fredonia plant Wednesday morning.

John Carlin, declared Wilson County a disaster area Friday while flood waters were still rising all over the county.1987: Fredonian Clayton Connell was named one of the 18 Kansans who will serve on Gov.

A-lert Corporation announced that it had sold its canopy division based in Fredonia to TFC Canopy, Inc., a company based in Indiana.1990: Butts school building was destroyed by a fire of unknown origin.