Bushong, Kansas is the home of the North Lyon County Veteran's Memorial. Construction of the memorial began in January 2015. The memorial was started to honor two brothers who died in World War II. The brothers both attended Bushong High School. They enlisted together, and both lost their lives on D-Day. With a a town population of only 134 people at the time, Bushong was the home to 10 soldiers who lost their lives in WWII. The memorial is scheduled to be fully completed in August of 2020. After completion of the memorial, the tentative plans are to begin construction of a North Lyon County Veterans Museum and Memorial Garden, dedicated to the 10 soldiers.
A little about Bushong:
Bushong was a railroad town originally named after Joseph Weeks... originally called Week's Station in 1886. Joseph donated the land to the railroad, and the town was started. Later, the name would change to Bushong, named after Doc. Bushong, who won the world series playing for the St. Louis Browns. It is said he invented the baseball mitt because he was a dentist and didn't want playing baseball to hurt his hands. Doc never came to the town that was named after him, but his great grandsons have visited.
At one time, the town was host to a railroad, bank, grocery store, hotel, post office, Dr.'s offices, church, school, blacksmith, barbershop, creamery, stables, gas station, grain elevator, and a telephone company. Remnants of these buildings can still be found in town. The town was incorporated on Aug. 6, 1932. The first election was held August 13, 1923 with a city population of 150 residents. Mrs. Blanch Davis was the first woman in the community elected into office on this day. Bloody Bill roamed the area along with many outlaws.
Bushong has a rich history, and the citizens have been collecting information since 2007. The Veteran's Museum will include a small section dedicated to the town's history.
Information provided by Dianne Bedner Smith, President of the Lorth Lyon County Veteran's Memorial and Town Historian.
Permission to place this cache was granted by the North Lyon County Veteran's Memorial Board Members. They are happy to have new visitors to the area. They host many events throughout the year including a fish fry, war re-enactments, a fundraiser car show, and more.