Print Shop

Carolyn and “Wally” Dobbins owned and published the Olathe Criterion for many years. Their printing equipment is the nucleus of the exhibit in the Print Shop located in a section of the States museum at Pioneer Town. They offered their old printing presses and their expertise in setting them up and getting them in working order. This exhibit was assembled and installed by the Dobbins as a memorial to Mr. and Mrs. Clyde W. Brewer and the Surface Creek Champion. Brewer, editor and owner of the weekly newspaper for 45 years was one person who did more than anyone else to preserve the early history of
Surface Creek country.

The presses do operate; in fact one was put to work for several years to print ballots and posters for SCVHS annual meetings and special events. Now those jobs are done by computer. “Wally” Dobbins commented, “…that suits me just fine. Those meetings were held in the dead of winter. The buildings have no heat. The machines don’t work well when cold. Neither do I!”

A large Peerless Gem paper is on display in a small adjoining room. Here too is a Woodstock typewriter and the original shipping crate. The cutter and typewriter are from the original equipment of the Surface Creek Champion.

Other presses and related items have been contributed by donors making this exhibit unique.

Several issues of Cedaredge’s weekly newspaper The Surface Creek Champion (1904-1943) are displayed on the walls of the shop.

PIONEER TOWN HISTORY

Where were the Bar I Silos originally built?

CLICK HERE for the answer