Oakland In The News: 1886 & Beyond Chapter 2

Buying Land in Oakland

Now that J. B. Bartholomew, had his land bought and platted it was time to sell. Mr. Bartholomew was a sharp real estate man and with good business sense, he know that with good promoters and advertising the land would sell. Mr. Bartholomew had a interest in the Topeka Rapid Transit. One of his ideas was to put advertising on the sides of the Transits cars, much like the buses of to day. The advertising was working the lots were starting to sell, at first they were sold for $75 dollars a lot. A few years later they would be selling at $1,000 dollars a lot. The advertising of wide open spaces and clean air would help, and later the advertising would say that no shanty would be found in Oakland.

Oakland’s Neighborhoods

Within a few years Oakland’s neighborhood’s were taking on the look of a real city. The front yards of the homes had flower beds, ornamental iron fences and walnut, oak, elm trees along the roads flourished, and in some places wooden sidewalks. Most homes had ether trap-door cellars on the side of the homes or in the backyards. These cellars were used for food storage, most all the homes had some kind of vegetable gardens and shelter from the storms, later on you will read some stories on the need of these cellars.

Oakland’s Government

Here again the historians are confusing us but its not all their fault for Oakland and Oakland Center were back to back, but to say that Oakland Center was organizing to incorporate in March of 1889 is all wrong, Oakland Center was not even platted until 1894. Oakland was the one to ask to be incorporated into a city of the 3rd class on March 20, 1889, at this time Oakland constituted of Oakland, Brigham and Rice, Jenkins and Morris and Wentworth Place. It was not to be. However Oakland soon rose to a city of the 2nd class. they were operating under township regulations. They became a city of the 3rd class on December 1, 1903, However they would have no city government until February 2, 1904.

Oakland had no city government until 1903 when the citizens applied for a charter as a city of the third class. A mistake in the boundary description resulted in the first application being turned down. But the mistake was corrected and it became a city on December 1. 1903. The first Election for officers was held February 2, 1904.

The Election

Mayor--F. A. Brigham, Treasurer--F. E. Jordan, Clerk--B. W. Steinour, Marshal-Egbert B. Wilson, Police Judge--B. P. Williams, Assistant Marshal--A. W. Sherer, Street Commissioner--C. G. Sherer

Oakland’s Council

G. H. Ensign, Charles M. Stockham, A. J. Vansant, Oscar W. Neil and N. E. Copeland.

The City Council meet on the first Monday of each month, on the corner of Michigan and Thomas Ave. The meetings are held in the old Post Office.

Noel E. Copeland

Courtesy of Kansas Hostorical Society

Oakland’s Mayors

1903-1925

Fred A. Brigham--1903-04-05-07-19
Don Coffman--1906
Christopher C. Vandeventer--1908-19
G. H. Ensign--1920-21
Jacob E. Shaffer--1921-22
Noel E. Copeland-1923-25

Oakland’s Laws

There were many laws in Oakland, too many to enter here but here are a few:

1. Enforcement of the county herd law as wandering farm animals spoiled front yards.

2. No selling of liquor.

3. All farm animals had to behind a six foot fence, so as not to be seen from the road.

4. No one was to carry a gun unless a officer of the law.

5. No minor could have air guns, slingshots, toy guns, Negro shooters.

6. There was to be no baseball or football games on Sunday.

Oakland School

The community of Oakland proudly supported its school district which was part of the county system, its early grade and high school was built near the present site of Lundren Elementary school. In the early frame building at Oakland and Thomas all 12 grades were taught. In 1916 a two-story brick high school was built near the frame building which continued to house grade school children. After the annexation of 1926 Oakland’s high school was discontinued.

The Oakland school is under the jurisdiction of the trustees of the district No. 102. The board being officered by the following:

Chairman--A. C. Sowle, Treasurer, O. W. Neil, Clerk, Charles T. Morse.

The School had 350 pupils in enrolled bring the six room school house to full capacity.

The School Staff

Principal--John Carter, Teacher--S. Lee Gilmore, Teacher--Ethel Lewis, Teacher--Eleanor Quinlan, Teacher--Lucy E. Hall, Teacher--Auqusta Waite

Oakland Schools

Courtesy of Kansas Historical Society

Courtesy of Kansas Historical Society

This Oakland School was built in 1911, it seat on one of four corners, Forest & Thomas, Forest & Iowa, Iowa & Michigan or Michigan & Thomas.

Oakland Libraries

A book for every home, a book for every person was the motto for one of the largest small town Libraries in the State. Under the management of Principal William Van Orsdol The school Library grew to more then 3,000 Volumes. The Library was funded with contributions and benefit shows by the Oakland children and publishers donations. The Library was discontinued after the annexation of 1925.