H-1900-2000-Oberlin

Oberlin 1900-2000

Changes in our place of origin, force us to face Reality

Change is much more rapid than we think

Periodic trips to Oberlin from 1950 to 2005 have provided an index to change. Though the World Population continues to grow at an alarming rate, the population of mid-west farming areas has been steadily declining. This was brought about by advances in technology – fewer people can do more better. The trend began after WW I when cars & tractors replaced the horse. Many families moved out during the great depression and sever drought of the 1930’s. Following WW II mobile and portable power sources permitted machines and power tools to replace manual labor. New machines permitted remote control so one man could do the work of two. Improved roads permitted more & bigger trucks – a farmer could buy a big used truck, excellent for his needs at very low cost. Further advances such as “no-till” farming reduced the amount of farming required permitting one man to farm more. The free market economy permitted farms to become larger. The young left to find suitable work. Those returning from service, who knew how to farm, could not make it if they had to borrow the money to start. One needed to inherit, marry into, or receive significant support to get a start.

I recognized this early on before many who lived there. From work in the aerospace industry I could recognize technology changes before they reached farming areas. Farmers moving to town sustained town population for a while. The change was gradual but inevitable. Train and bus transportation was discontinued making personal travel difficult. Late one afternoon I was looking about down town and found myself all alone – it seemed unreal, there was no one to be seen. The town used to be alive with people on Friday and Sat afternoons and evenings – coming to town to shop, pick up kids – looking forward to visiting with friends after days of isolation on the farm. I wondered, where is everyone, the towns not that depleted. Then it dawned on me. They were at home in air conditioned rooms watching TV. As most farmers had moved to town – they didn’t have a need to be down town, to see and be seen. The social culture of the community had changed. With excellent roads and transportation they had more options on where and when to go shopping for need or entertainment. My heart went out to the young kids, they had no way of experiencing the vibrant community of my youth.

Businesses were closing down and not being replaced. Cream Stations were some of the first to go, farmers in town did not milk cows. The truth really struck home when the last of the farm implement and car dealers closed shop. The town was really hit when long time business operators closed down, retiring or passing on. When my parents passed on the family home was sold but we bought my wife’s parents home. We periodically leave our CA home for a stay in the KS home, though not cost effective, nostalgia and friends draw us back to our roots. Visiting with one of the realtors in 2005 we were told there were over 100 homes for sale and that 80% of the population is age 70 or over. I was shocked to find a new arrival had bought my class mate, Virgil McKinsey’s folks place, for $18,000. This is a better home than one in Walnut Creek CA that cost my daughter $600.000. Taxes on our KS home are 50% more than on our CA home, a similar sized home with a market value 10 times greater.

The new Farmers National Bank below, which my father was so proud to have built, is now empty. The bank had been sold, sold again, then abandon – too expensive to operate in a growingly frugal financial environment.

Thus I’m repeatedly reminded of CHANGE when ever I move about my home town. However the changes that most concern me about the future of our society has nothing to do with the dropping mid-west drop in population. My concern is the inverse, of the continued doubling of Earths population at a rapid rate. Mother natures emotionless laws, that have governed survival of the fittest, will prevail and keep population in equilibrium with resources.

Demands for food and energy will modify the economy and social structure of this community in ways unimagined when the early settlers moved west and homesteaded this land.

The new Farmers National Bank, now empty, was built on the Roberts Ford Motor co site,

where Lee Kump worked before becoming the Ford dealer at a new site after WW II.

It’s now an empty building, bought out then put up for sale, as a non-bank.

All local car dealerships have closed.

Masonic Hall built in 1933 still enjoys limited use – though county population is greatly reduced.

These Men about Town were significant contributors to the Oberlin community.

IOOF Odd Fellow building is still in use – meetings seldom, if at all.

At this time men with a family in their old truck, on the way to CA, would stop asking if they could work for food.

Food was always provided – without need for work.

Courthouse, then Bank, then Telephone office now Landmark Inn. Rell Landau at left on steps when a Bank

Main street when the Landmark Inn was the Court House; At right after it became a bank.

Main Street during harvest 2000

Left: Benton Home was converted to a Hospital while I was in high school – is now gone

Right: Hotel built on the site of department store that burned down before I started kindergarten

Rotary Club met there while I was in high school – it was demolished and replace with Gazebo.

Left: Both lumber companies now gone Right: Pasture Golf Course is now farm land.

Windmills now gone Opera House that became Chief Movie theater now gone – replaced by TV

During the depression the Chief Theater did a thriving business, people loved to escape in movie fantasy. The price was right, 10 cents for kids, 25 cents for adults and 5 cents for box of pop corn.

Technology has change this world known by grandparents, parents and those in my class. It was an ideal place for our generation to grow up. We had a feeling of being on the cutting edge of what was going on in the world. Then new Radio and News Reels kept us up to date on happenings. Our class enjoyed the music of the Big Band Era.

1904-2004

Marian was one of those special people who in her way formed the back bone of the community. As High School Secretary she knew all the kids who passed through it’s portals. Having no children of her own, all the students became her children and she their confidant. During WW II, she with the help of local girls, published a monthly news letter delivered to all from our high school who were then in the service.

May there always be people like Marian, and communities like Oberlin – they and those like them, are the foundation on which our nation is built. Times may change but the genetic codes of those who carry on have proven attributes from which to make it a good life possible for all.