KU Business Centennial Celebrations: Kansas in 1924–25
A glimpse into the people, trends, revolutions and experiences of Kansas during this historical period
In the mid-1920s, Kansas was known for its vast plains and as an agricultural powerhouse. The state was a strong leader in wheat production and was heavily reliant on the seasons and harvests. The decade also brought significant change due to the “Roaring Twenties,” which led to industrialization and urbanization across Kansas and the country.
While Kansas remained largely rural, it experienced a slow but noticeable shift in the direction of urban growth as more people headed toward cities such as Wichita and Kansas City hoping for more opportunity. In 1838, Kansas City was founded as a Missouri River outpost, but the birth of the Kansas City that people know today came in 1920.
As aviation began to industrialize in the 1920s, Wichita aviators Water Beech, Lloyd Stearman, Olive Ann Mellor and Clyde Cessna formed Travel Air Manufacturing, according to the Kansas Historical Society. The group built individual and business airplanes, which in turn would continue to grow the aviation industry in the city and would later dub it as the “Air Capital of the World.”
Politically, Kansas in the 1920s was influenced by the progressive movement. Emporia native William Allen White, newspaper editor and author, was a progressive Republican. White was editor of the Emporia Gazette and often wrote about the importance of communities in middle America and the need to fight corruption.
In 1924, White independently ran for governor of Kansas because the Ku Klux Klan had endorsed two other candidates for office. He finished in third place after being called “cowardly” and “un-American,” according to the KU School of Journalism and Mass Communications, which bears White’s name.
Fashion-wise, the handkerchief-dress craze hit Kansas, as highlighted by the Legends of Kansas timeline. Women in Atchinson made and sold more than 250 red and blue bandanas. The dresses were designed to allow more movement, a contrast to the corseted, formal dresses that were typical fashion at the time. In Kansas, like much of the United States, the trend was embraced by women hoping to transition to more modern styles.
While the state was experiencing many changes in these years, the University of Kansas was constantly improving.
Many of KU’s 3,788 students chose to gather at Watson Library, according to the KU libraries. The library opened in September 1924 and was named library after longtime librarian Carrie Watson to emphasize her importance to the institution. Watson Library was the first academic building on campus to bear the name of a woman and had an array of collections including books and research and was also home to an extensive collection of music that reflected a societal prioritization of music at the time.
In the 1920s, athletics played a crucial role in KU’s identity. The football team was a source of pride on campus as the team finished seventh in the conference. Basketball, however, held most of the attention as it was under the leadership of the legendary coach Phog Allen. With Allen as coach, KU laid the foundation for what would become one of the most significant programs in the history of college basketball.
Many KU students were experiencing life on a budget in the 1920s. It was common for them to work a variety of jobs, such as waiters, salesmen and barbers. According to KU Libraries, working students were regarded with high respect by the student body and faculty. This was also an era of musical and artistic expansion when the KU band expanded and consistently became present at sporting events. It wasn’t until 1939 that Saralena Sherman became the first woman band member as a baton twirler.
Looking back at 1924, both Kansas and the University of Kansas embraced changes brought by urbanization and industrialization. The University of Kansas became a leading institution, offering students an exceptional education. The efforts made during this period helped lay the foundation for the future success of the university.
By Grace Ludes
