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Author Bill Carlson,
Smoky Valley Historical Association member
reports on Coronado Heights history
in his
2011
"Lindsborg Then and Lindsborg Now" *
Part 1 and Part 2
Author Bill Carlson,
Smoky Valley Historical Association member
reports on Coronado Heights history
in his
2011
"Lindsborg Then and Lindsborg Now" *
Part 1 and Part 2
After the earlier accounts on the history on Coronado Heights by Mrs. Jaderborg's books of 1967, 1973 and 1976 and Dr. Lindquist from his 1989 book, G. N. Malm: A Swedish Immigrants Varied Career, here is Mr. Carlson's information from his 2011 Lindsborg Then and Lindsborg Now.
CORONADO HEIGHTS
Part 1: LINDSBORG THEN
Chapter 22
Part 1: LINDSBORG THEN
Chapter 22
"Coronado Heights, located 3 miles northwest of Lindsborg, could relate reams of stories about those early settlers, if it could only talk. Pleasant, exciting, shocking, interesting stories about the past one hundred and forty plus years will perhaps best be left untold by Coronado Heights.
"Coronado Heights certainly must have drawn the early immigrants to its very top to view the many miles of tall grass and rolling hills. What a sight for them to write home about in those early days on the prairie. The Smoky Valley viewed from the top of this highest hill provided a gorgeous site in the 1860s and certainly the same is true today.
"Historians differ in identifying the route of Francisco Vasquez de Coronado, the famous Spanish explorer. It has been said, it is quite likely that the Smoky Valley was visited by the Spaniards in July 1541, so the recorded history of Lindsborg and Coronado Heights may have begun then rather than with the arrival of the first colonists.
"The land including this highest hill was initially secured by the local historical society [the Lindsborg Historical Society], part by purchase, and part by long-time lease, and now serves as a public park maintained by the Smoky Valley Historical Association [that was first founded as the Lindsborg Historical Society in 1919]. In turn, the high hill was officially named Coronado Heights.
"A footpath was built, early on, to the summit of the southeast slope. This path was named "Olsson Trail," to honor the memory of the first leader of the settlers [Founder of Lindsborg and Bethany Church]. Later a rough and winding road was built from the bottom to the top, six tenths of a mile, and is known as the Swensson Road in honor of the memory of Dr. Carl Swensson [Second pastor of Bethany Church, and founder, and second president of Bethany College]."
"Coronado Heights certainly must have drawn the early immigrants to its very top to view the many miles of tall grass and rolling hills. What a sight for them to write home about in those early days on the prairie. The Smoky Valley viewed from the top of this highest hill provided a gorgeous site in the 1860s and certainly the same is true today.
"Historians differ in identifying the route of Francisco Vasquez de Coronado, the famous Spanish explorer. It has been said, it is quite likely that the Smoky Valley was visited by the Spaniards in July 1541, so the recorded history of Lindsborg and Coronado Heights may have begun then rather than with the arrival of the first colonists.
"The land including this highest hill was initially secured by the local historical society [the Lindsborg Historical Society], part by purchase, and part by long-time lease, and now serves as a public park maintained by the Smoky Valley Historical Association [that was first founded as the Lindsborg Historical Society in 1919]. In turn, the high hill was officially named Coronado Heights.
"A footpath was built, early on, to the summit of the southeast slope. This path was named "Olsson Trail," to honor the memory of the first leader of the settlers [Founder of Lindsborg and Bethany Church]. Later a rough and winding road was built from the bottom to the top, six tenths of a mile, and is known as the Swensson Road in honor of the memory of Dr. Carl Swensson [Second pastor of Bethany Church, and founder, and second president of Bethany College]."
CORONADO HEIGHTS TODAY
Part 2: LINDSBORG NOW
Chapter 28
Part 2: LINDSBORG NOW
Chapter 28
"Today, Coronado Heights, located three miles northwest of Lindsborg, still stands as magically as ever, overlooking the town of Lindsborg and the Smoky Valley. The scenery from the top of this hill is ever-changing with the seasons of the year. The greening of the fields in March and April and the sight of combines reaping the harvest in the fields in June and July are simply magnificent to view.
"The maintenance of Coronado Heights is the responsibility of the Smoky Valley Historical Association [SVHA] with special mention of Dr. Duane Fredrickson, a long-time Lindsborg Physician, who has made it his project to almost weekly check and clean up the picnic area and the fort [castle] on the top of the hill for many years.
"WPA work projects during the mid 1930s made possible the building of a number of picnic areas constructed of native rock and cement including places to cook and barbecue. Further, it was at this time, a castle was build of sandstone on the top, as well as bathrooms. Work today is ongoing to rebuild some of these areas, along with needed improvement of the winding road from bottom to top, which is six tenths of a mile.
"Two primitive-appearing trails have been laid out from top to bottom of both the east and the southwest sides of Coronado. These trails are used for hiking and at times for bicycles. Competitive races are held from time to time on these trails for bicycles with entries from far and wide.
"Coronado Heights has proven through the years as a popular picnic area with permanent tables and benches of cement and rock from which to enjoy the views while feasting on the food of choice. Traffic on the road up the hill gets almost daily use, except for in extremely inclement weather, by sightseers and for those planning a picnic or party.
"As Chris Abercrombie [1949-2017, former VHA president] of Lindsborg has pointed out, "today Coronado Heights has hundreds of visitors each month, making it one of the most popular destinations in Central Kansas. People from all over Kansas, and other states and foreign countries can be found exploring the hill on any given day."
"Coronado Heights perhaps brings more vivid memories of picnic times on the hill for senior citizens who grew up in the days when Coronado was the place to go for a family picnic. Coronado picnics have pretty well been replaced by backyard barbecues in the more recent times. However, most who have enjoyed Coronado Heights would agree with the recent selection of Coronado Heights as one of the "8 Wonders of Kansas" in the category of Geography."
"The maintenance of Coronado Heights is the responsibility of the Smoky Valley Historical Association [SVHA] with special mention of Dr. Duane Fredrickson, a long-time Lindsborg Physician, who has made it his project to almost weekly check and clean up the picnic area and the fort [castle] on the top of the hill for many years.
"WPA work projects during the mid 1930s made possible the building of a number of picnic areas constructed of native rock and cement including places to cook and barbecue. Further, it was at this time, a castle was build of sandstone on the top, as well as bathrooms. Work today is ongoing to rebuild some of these areas, along with needed improvement of the winding road from bottom to top, which is six tenths of a mile.
"Two primitive-appearing trails have been laid out from top to bottom of both the east and the southwest sides of Coronado. These trails are used for hiking and at times for bicycles. Competitive races are held from time to time on these trails for bicycles with entries from far and wide.
"Coronado Heights has proven through the years as a popular picnic area with permanent tables and benches of cement and rock from which to enjoy the views while feasting on the food of choice. Traffic on the road up the hill gets almost daily use, except for in extremely inclement weather, by sightseers and for those planning a picnic or party.
"As Chris Abercrombie [1949-2017, former VHA president] of Lindsborg has pointed out, "today Coronado Heights has hundreds of visitors each month, making it one of the most popular destinations in Central Kansas. People from all over Kansas, and other states and foreign countries can be found exploring the hill on any given day."
"Coronado Heights perhaps brings more vivid memories of picnic times on the hill for senior citizens who grew up in the days when Coronado was the place to go for a family picnic. Coronado picnics have pretty well been replaced by backyard barbecues in the more recent times. However, most who have enjoyed Coronado Heights would agree with the recent selection of Coronado Heights as one of the "8 Wonders of Kansas" in the category of Geography."
For "Coronado Expedition Chain Mail and Bethany College Museum" History ~ An account from Dr. Lungstrom's, by Matt (Kermit) Moline, go HERE.
For the 1963 "Smoky Valley Historical Association" (SVHA) The "Formation Minutes," showing the leaders and supporters, go HERE. (This SVHA was the reformed 1919 Lindsborg Historical Society.)
For the 1963 "Smoky Valley Historical Association" (SVHA) The "Formation Minutes," showing the leaders and supporters, go HERE. (This SVHA was the reformed 1919 Lindsborg Historical Society.)
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The Bill Carlson Family has kindly extended permission to share these selections from
his 2011 Lindsborg Then and Lindsborg Now in SWEDES, 4-29-23.
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The Bill Carlson Family has kindly extended permission to share these selections from
his 2011 Lindsborg Then and Lindsborg Now in SWEDES, 4-29-23.
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Mr. Bill Carlson
1930-2018
On the summit of Coronado Heights
Photograph taken by his good Swedish friend author Mr. Alf Brorson for Bill's 2011 "Lindsborg Then and Lindsborg Now"
1930-2018
On the summit of Coronado Heights
Photograph taken by his good Swedish friend author Mr. Alf Brorson for Bill's 2011 "Lindsborg Then and Lindsborg Now"
Coronado Heights from the Smoky Valley Floor.
On Swensson Drive to the Top of Coronado Heights
Photograph taken from Coronado Heights of Lindsborg, Kansas
by
Fran Cochran
2006
by
Fran Cochran
2006
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On November 14, 2023, under the leadership of SVHA president Tim Stewart and the Board
"full support and permission for the use of all content under the Smoky Valley Historical Publications umbrella,"
of which "Lindsborg Then and Lindsborg Now" belongs, was kindly granted to Fran Cochran for SWEDES.
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On November 14, 2023, under the leadership of SVHA president Tim Stewart and the Board
"full support and permission for the use of all content under the Smoky Valley Historical Publications umbrella,"
of which "Lindsborg Then and Lindsborg Now" belongs, was kindly granted to Fran Cochran for SWEDES.
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* * *
"Let Us Celebrate Them"
* * *
Swedes: TheWayTheyWere
~ restoring lost local histories ~
reconnecting past to present
* * *
All color photography throughout Swedes: The Way They Were is by Fran Cochran unless otherwise indicated.
Copyright © since October 8, 2015 to Current Year
as indicated on main menu sections of www.swedesthewaytheywere.org.
All rights reserved.
"Let Us Celebrate Them"
* * *
Swedes: TheWayTheyWere
~ restoring lost local histories ~
reconnecting past to present
* * *
All color photography throughout Swedes: The Way They Were is by Fran Cochran unless otherwise indicated.
Copyright © since October 8, 2015 to Current Year
as indicated on main menu sections of www.swedesthewaytheywere.org.
All rights reserved.
