Mickey Mantle of Independence, Kansas

[W. Gray]

Ackerman Island showing the baseball stadium.

[flintauqua]

Fascinating!  Didn't know anything about this Island in the middle of the Ark.  The wide boulevard bridge at the south end of the island (right hand side of picture) is Douglass, crossing from where the Broadview Hotel is over to the Delano district.

A site about the island and amusement park:

http://www.defunctparks.com/parks/KS/Wonderland/Wonderland.htm

Also, a photo taken during the removal of Ackerman Island by the WPA:

http://specialcollections.wichita.edu/exhibits/soulofapeople/images/renewal/15%20ackerman%20island.html

[Ross]

Then

Shulthis Stadium: it's showtime!

Independence
football fans can
get first view of
stadium upgrades
on Friday night
BY ANDY TAYLOR
chronicle@taylornews.org
INDEPENDENCE — The once-dull
Shulthis Stadium has received a facelift
of sorts in the past year.
The unveiling of the stadium's new
looks will take place on Friday night,
Aug. 29, when Independence High
School sports fans see the revamped
and improved stadium.
The annual Can Opener scrimmages
will be the first time the public
can view the upgrades at Shulthis
Stadium. The public can view the facilities
from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.; the IHS
soccer scrimmage will begin at 6 p.m.
followed by introductions of all fall
sports teams at 6:40 p.m., then the
IHS football scrimmage at 7 p.m.
Although formal guided tours are
not planned, USD 446 officials and
members of the citizens' Stadium
Committee that developed the original
plan for improvements will be
available at designated locations to
serve as "informational hosts" and
answer questions.
The $2.1 million in improvements
are vast and visible, including the
artificial turf surface with the alternating
bands of green shades and the
iconic orange "I" as a focal point to
the stadium surface. The artificial
turf surface is supported by a drainage
system that can remove surface
water within minutes. A 30-minute
downpour can quickly be whisked
away, thereby making the artificial
surface playable within minutes.

http://www.taylornews.org/subscriptions/20140827/mcc_paper_20140827.pdf

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NOW

After $2.1 million in improvements the Summer of 2014.

Petitioning School board members and city officials of Independence, KS

Rescind their vote to tear down historic Shulthis Stadium

Shulthis Stadium is a nationally recognized historic landmark located in our rural community of Independence, KS. It is the home of the first organized baseball game played under permanent lights on April 28, 1930. Such greats as Mickey Mantle have played at this stadium. It is an important part of our towns history and needs to be preserved.

Read moreat: https://www.change.org/p/school-board-members-and-city-officials-of-independence-ks-resend-their-vote-to-tear-down-historic-shulthis-stadium?recruiter=298582277&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=share_facebook_responsive&utm_term=mob-xs-no_src-custom_msg&fb_ref=Default

There are remarks and a petition at the above Website.