News of Interest in 1900
My book “Home for the Heart” takes place in 1900. Daniel and Elise Gilbertson who were the main characters in “Romance Along the Rails” live in Topeka, KS with their family. Liz (Elizabeth) who was four-years-old in 1885 is now nineteen. She is trying to come to grips with her parent’s death and her own future plans. She wants to find out about her natural father’s family.
With the Harvey Houses, many of the original frame buildings were being replaced by large beautiful buildings with hotels. The Castaneda in Las Vegas, NM was built in 1899; the Arcade in Newton, KS in 1900; the El Vaquero in Dodge City, KS in 1900. Many others were built between 1900 and 1910. The Bisonte in Hutchinson, KS was built as a tribute from his sons to Fred Harvey, who died in 1901. It was built in the English Tudor style and was opened in 1906. Previous to that the Santa Fe Hotel in Hutchinson was the Harvey House. As you read “Home for the Heart” you will recognize some of these historic places. Several are being renovated now and are made into museums.
The Automobile was beginning to gain popularity, although there was a lot of resistance. Many thought it was a passing fad, that horses were more dependable. The automobile was not mass produced until around 1913.
1900 was a Presidential election year. Republican William McKinley was running for reelection with Theodore Roosevelt as his running mate. And Williams Jennings Bryan was the Democrat candidate. McKinley was reelected but was assassinated in September 1901. He was succeeded by Roosevelt.