Selected Photos

These photos are taken from Paola Kansas, A 150 Year Timeline available from our Gift Shop.  For Exhibit Photos, visit our Online Photo Alum.

Miami County Historical  Museum

Swan River Museum

Miami County Historical & Genealogy Society

Swan River Museum - 12 E. Peoria, P O Box 123 - Paola, KS 66071

Phone: 913-294-4940  -  Fax: 913-294-5040

Chapter 1 "The Springs" Chapter intro picture

An often seen view of the Baptist (Lykins) Mission east of Paola

A train that was used by the KC Ft. Scott & Gulf RR.  It was a wood burner and traveled through Paola on its way between KC and Ft. Scott

Sue Heiskell was the first white child born in Paola in 1857, daughter of Wm. Heiskell

Four Paola unidentified residents on the streets of town

The Price Block, built in 1886 by J.W. Price, was later called the Schumann Block.  Team Financial occupies the building

The North School, built in 1872, served all grades.  On the 3rd floor, a normal school was established in 1878.  By the time of this photo, the cupola had been destoyed by lightning

A fence was later built around this fishpond in the center of Park Square

Rare photo of a class being held at the first North School (Normal) around the 1880's

The old South School was razed.  Another school was built and later raed on block 25.  For many years, the lot sat empty.  After legal approval, the block eventually was sold and houses constructed

The shop of the Franklin Light & Fuel Company

A formal dinner party in the 1890's

Another dinner party for the ladies

A view of Walnut Grove Park northwest of town - fairgrounds for the city

The "stylish" transportation of the day