This year, 2006, is a year of important historic events in the history of Doniphan County. The Troy School building burned down 80 years ago this spring; 150 years ago the town of Troy was established, and 100 years ago July 4th the current Courthouse was dedicated. In its July 5, 1906, edition the Kansas Chief had this to say about that dedication celebration and parade.

    “Thousands Came to Troy yesterday to Celebrate the Glorious Fourth
   Yesterday was a gala day for Troy and every part of Doniphan county was represented by the citizens of the glorious old county. Never in the history of the county has such a crowd gathered to do honor to the day we celebrate. The day was an ideal one and a little shower at 4:30 o’clock in the evening laid the dust nicely for the homeward drive. It was a genuine Doniphan county crowd, jovial, jolly, fun-loving happy people out for a good time. And they had it.”
   According to the paper the bands started playing shortly after their 7:00 A.M. breakfast. At 10:00 A.M. the new Courthouse was opened for the people’s inspection. There was a ball game and a drill team presentation. Then the grand parade with floats from all parts of the county progressed up Main Street. And there were fireworks.
   “The Flambeau club gave their drill, shooting Roman candles of many colors and made a pretty sight. Occasionally a whole sack full, carried by some member would be ignited and go off all at once, at which time the member would hurriedly disengage himself from the explosion and dodge away....One misdirected rocket skidded across the street and scattered a crowd of boys near Leland’s store but no one was hurt.”
   The newspaper that day carried detailed descriptions of the parade and the floats. Some of the glowing reports included details about the floats created by the ladies of the Eastern Star and the ladies of the S.L.K.
   “That the S. L. K. association, one of the oldest organizations in Troy, is equal to all occasions and able to surpass the anticipations of its devotees, was fully demonstrated in yesterday’s parade, their feature having been one of the largest and handsomest. The design, an Egyptian Pleasure boat, was entirely covered with pond lilies, thus carrying out the society colors – green and white.  Miss Mattie VanBuskirk sat in the prow and carried an Egyptian harp. Mrs. Edward Doughty, Misses Sara VanBuskirk and Anna Zimmerman were the other occupants seated under a canopy of lilies. The float was drawn by four white horses. The entire turnout showed artistic taste and that the ladies had worked like true Trojans.”
   “The representation of the Order of the Eastern Star was truly a pretty sight. It was completely covered with roses, and in the center rested an immense star covered with roses. In the five emblematic colors of the order. Five of the ladies of the order rode.”
   After the parade and the fireworks the party continued with dancing into the night as the editor duly noted.
   “The festivities wound up with a dance at the opera house at night and many out of town people as well as town folks tripped the mazy waltz and graceful two-step to their heart’s content.”
    The Sesquicentennial Committee hopes to recreate that atmosphere of celebration this July. Festivities will begin with the annual American Legion fish fry on Friday evening, June 30. On Saturday the S.L.K. will sponsor a homes tour and a quilt show. The Courthouse will be open for tours and an Art Contest. On the Courthouse Lawn games and crafts will be available, as well as food vendors and drink stands. Other activities include a Cake Walk, Ice Cream Social, Herbal Tea Tasting and miscellaneous exhibits and demonstrations around the square. Many of these activities will be repeated on Sunday. A full schedule of events and Art Contest rules can be found online at www.celebratetroy.com.
   To promote the event the committee is selling logo buttons for $1.00. They can be found at banks and businesses across the county. Other souvenir items are available at Fort Luxemburg at Elwood. The committee hopes to create the same celebratory atmosphere that seems to have prevailed one hundred years ago!