Laredo History and Historical Buildings

Local blogger Que Fregados (link on sidebar) has a great story on the Bender Hotel in Laredo.  It is a must read as another old Laredo landmark is being restored.

But speaking of history and preserving history I want you all to look at some photos I took at a small museum in Independence, Kansas.  This is the area where my mom and dad grew up, and it is rich with history. 

Independence was the home of the first organized professional baseball game played under lights.  Mickey Mantel played in Independence for the New York Yankees farm team in the early 50's in the Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri baseball league.

Independence is also home to the real "Little House on the Prairie" as well as the home of Sinclair Oil Company (remember Dino). 

That history and much more is collected and on display in their city museum.  Sad, that Laredo, with a population over 250,000 with a city budget over $500 million, and several very rich families and companies,  cannot produce a museum.

Anyway, look at the photos and you can see what can be done through donations by a community that cares about their history.

These are just a few of the exhibits.  There are two floors of these types of exhibits.  It would take a couple of days to really view all the stuff in this museum and read the stories.

From Sinclair Oil....

This log cabin was discovered in an existing home that was being torn down.  The owners who were tearing down the house, which was built over this cabin, donated it to the city.

This is a recreation of the inside of a typical prairie home in the 1800's.  This is the inside of the above cabin.

This leather skin was worn by Dustin Hoffman in the movie "Little Big Man."  There was a man in town who was a big Hollywood agent and booked movie stars for movies.  His last name is Halsey...can't remember first name.

This is a recreation of an early 1900's grocery store.




This room had dresses and other clothing from the early 1900's

A re-created school room from the early 1900's












As you can see, it doesn't take lots of money...just commitment.