Greensburg: The Way It Was

As I said yesterday, I won't be posting any tornado destruction pictures for at least a day or two. I'm still overwhelmed by what I see on TV, etc. I keep looking for things I remember or recognize, but they are simply not there. Before this weekend, Greensburg's claim to fame was having the world's largest hand-dug well (which you could go to the bottom of...if you were brave enough to go down those stairs!) and having the world's largest pallasite meteorite on display. Of course, the well is still there. Nice thing about holes in the ground. Tornadoes can't move them! The meteorite, which was on display in the gift shop next to the well, was moved by the tornado. I saw a picture in today's Akron Beacon Journal: the meteorite was found.


The Big Well Tower

There were other things that made Greensburg a great place to be, though. Mostly, the people. Generous and good-hearted. That's why the town will rebuild. One of the main employers in the town, Greensburg Tractor and Implement (GTI) has already pledged to pay their employees for the next twelve months so they can rebuild their homes and lives. You have to understand that GTI was destroyed. They sell tractors, combines, and other farm machinery. Big ticket items that many in the area won't be able to afford for awhile. They also repair machinery. But without their building and tools...well, you understand the situation. Yet they pledged to do this for their employees. That's the kind of people that make up this town.

I'm not very talented at putting pictures on here yet, but I'll do my best. I'll try to explain what each of them is depicting.

Please don't stop praying.


Duckwall's--Main Street (the "five and dime")



This is the Historical Museum that was on Main Street. As you can tell, it was formerly a hardware and furniture store.




This is from Main Street, too. This was the Twilight Theater, which first showed silent films in 1915. At one time, it boasted the largest screen in the state of Kansas.


This is the seal of Kiowa County, which was created by local artist Archie Sheperd.



Nothing beats a Kansas sunset (or is this a sunrise?). This picture is of the grain elevators in the north part of Greensburg. They are one of the few things, though damaged, that were left standing.