“Photos can convey a thousand words without a single one being written,” said Kurtis Russell, Allen County Historical Society Director. “From the old cars and entertainment of the Allen County Fair to one of the most talked about buildings in the county — the 1904 Courthouse.”
In a bid to celebrate and preserve the rich history of Allen County, the Allen County Historical Society has collaborated with the Allen County Courthouse to display a series of captivating old photos. The initiative, spearheaded by Russell, aims to offer visitors a glimpse into the county’s past.
Five selected photographs, sourced from the historical society’s extensive collection, now adorn the upper level of the Allen County Courthouse. “They are from numerous donors, including the Gibson collection,” said Russell. “The plan for the future is to make sure we have a variety of photos from all over the county and not just focus on one town.”
Russell expressed the society’s enthusiasm for the project. “We gladly took up the opportunity to display Allen County’s photos for people to view,” he said. “Although the historical society started off in the courthouse when we first formed in 1956, this is the first time to my knowledge we are doing this partnership with them.”
Russell noted the photos have already received a “lot of love” from courthouse workers. “I had a few tell me how much they liked them while I was putting their descriptions on display,” he said.
The assortment of photographs offers a geographical and chronological spread, featuring images from various corners of Allen County. Among the showcased photos are glimpses of Iola, including its courthouse, library, and a snapshot of a local newspaper. Another image depicts the Gas Barber shop from the early 1900s. The historical society notes it was one of five barber shops in the community at the time. Detailed information also accompanies each photo to give better context.
While the display serves as a temporary fixture, slated to remain for the rest of the year, plans are already in motion for the next phase of the project. Russell noted the historical society intends to raffle off the prints at the end of the year, with proceeds directed towards sustaining and expanding the collaboration. “We will draw names for five winners,” he said. “The first winner will pick a photo, and then so on.”
Russell said that any additional profits will go towards helping the historical society preserve its vast photo collection. “We envision this as an ongoing collaboration with the courthouse,” he said. “Whether we break even, incur losses, or turn a profit from the raffle, our commitment is to keep doing this as long as the courthouse likes having new photos of Allen County on display.”
The significance of these photographs extends beyond mere imagery, Russell noted. Each picture encapsulates a narrative, serving as a portal to bygone eras and evoking memories among the county’s residents. “If you run into someone who remembers that 1904 courthouse or the Carnegie Library, it sparks memories,” he said.
