Goodland in Sherman County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Courthouse Statue & Bell

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 6, 2024

1. Courthouse Statue & Bell Marker

Inscription.
The bell was originally installed in 1908 in the first Central School. When the school was razed in 1950 to build the current Central School building, Carl H. Bjorkman of Topeka took the bell. The bell, which was dedicated to “all the children, present and future, of Sherman County”, was returned by Mr. Bjorkman to Goodland in 1958.

“They Came to Stay!” was designed by former Goodland resident, Greg Todd, at the request of a committee for the Centennial of Sherman County in 1987. Todd chose this particular pose to demonstrate the early pioneer spirit. He, with a clump of sod in his hand, and she with her hands on his shoulder and the plow, showed that together they made this place home with hard work and love. A time capsule was placed in the statue to be opened in 2087.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Education • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Historic Bells, and the Time Capsules series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1908.

Location. 39° 21.039′ N, 101° 42.608′ W. Marker is in Goodland, Kansas, in Sherman County. It is on Broadway Avenue just north of East 9th Street, on the right when traveling north. The marker and subject bell are located directly

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in front of the Sherman County Courthouse, on the right side of the west/front entrance walkway. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 813 Broadway Avenue, Goodland KS 67735, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest,

in the Corn Belt,

on the prairies,

on the Great Plains,

on the Southern Plains,

and specifically on the High Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: United Telephone Building (about 800 feet away, measured in a direct line); United States Post Office (approx. 0.2 miles away); Carnegie Art Center (approx. 0.3 miles away); Ennis Handy House / Mary Seaman Ennis House (approx. 0.4 miles away); Chambers Fountain (approx. 0.4 miles away); Roll of Honor (approx. one mile away); The Big Easel (approx. one mile away); In Honor of Those Who Serve (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Goodland.