PAWNEE ROCK — Residents of Pawnee Rock celebrated the city’s 125th anniversary on Monday.
Florence Johnson, who is believed to be the city’s oldest resident, was grand marshal of a parade down Centre St., also known as Ehrlich Highway. “Florence Johnson may be the oldst resident of Pawnee Rock,” said emcee Glenn Mull from the celebration committee. She was born in 1925 in Fowler and graduated from Cunningham High School in 1947, but Johnson moved to Pawnee Rock in 1957 and raised her family there.
Dean Lakin gave the welcome, followed by a prayer by Vivian Bright. Residents noted that Pawnee Rock has been the home of one presidential candidate and several legislators. In 1887 the 13-year-old town became a city of the third class.
The nearby Pawnee Rock State Historical Site was dedicated as the first state park in Kansas on May 24, 1912.
“Pawnee Rock’s not done yet,” Lakin said. It has a new City Building and the city has also had some construction going on in the past year.
The residents of Pawnee Rock also observed Memorial Day on Monday, with a service at the Pawnee Rock Cemetery.
Activities took place throughout the day. There were displays of school and city memorabilia, as well as historical speakers. In the afternoon there were games in the city park and a scavenger hunt at The Rock.