HUMBOLDT — In these parts, the success of B&W Trailer Hitches is the stuff of legends. How Roger Baker and Joe Works of Humboldt teamed up in 1987 to build custom truck beds.
Baker retired in 1999, leaving Works to continue taking the company to greater heights. The employee count today is between 650 and 700,
What is becoming as legendary as the company’s success is how several of Joe and wife Jane’s offspring are investing some of those rewards into Humboldt’s downtown.
On Tuesday, about 50 visitors learned that story on a four-hour outing organized by the Kansas Sampler Foundation’s “Rural Swagger,” tour. Participants ranged from Plainville to Marysville, Greensburg to Lawrence and included those concerned with economic development — city officials, chamber of commerce directors and foundation heads.
Kansas Sampler is a non-profit based in Inman whose mission is to promote the delights of rural Kansas. Marci Penner is its director.
Of the Works clan, daughter Beth Barlow, and her brothers Tony and Josh, participated in the tour, along with Paul Cloutier. The four are among the founders of A Bolder Humboldt, formed in 2016 with a focus “to make an impact,” said Cloutier, primarily by renovating old buildings and turning them into commercial enterprises.
“We’re trying to bring them back into fighting shape so that they can survive another 100 years,” he said.
A big city transplant from California, Cloutier said A Bolder Humboldt’s goals also include building community through activities such as its annual Water Wars and summer movie nights on the downtown square. 
“Our ultimate goal is to create a town that we want to live in, and ultimately, bring more young people back by showing them how vibrant rural American can be,” said Cloutier.
Another goal is for Humboldt to be known as a weekend getaway. “We’re focusing on 36 hours in Humboldt,” he said, not only in terms of recreation, but also ambiance.
What Tuesday’s visitors learned is that while many of Humboldt’s endeavors may not be possible in their hometowns, they have many of the same resources.
“Every town has people with a vested interest in making their towns better; every town has people with vision; and every town has the people who can run with it,” Cloutier said.
Penner encouraged participants to look at their hometowns with fresh eyes in diagnosing their challenges.
“The goal is not to duplicate Humboldt, but to go home and look at the good stuff in your community,” Penner said. “Look for seeds that you can plant in your hometown.”
“Don’t fall into the trap of thinking it’s not possible in my hometown. A few years ago, they thought the same thing,” Penner said. 
TWO THINGS have been central to Humboldt’s rebirth. First has been the purchase of a dozen dilapidated buildings or struggling businesses on the downtown square by Joe and Janie Works. Second was the construction of the 6.5-mile Southwind Rail Trail connecting Humboldt to Iola in 2013.
