Midland Hotel Wilson KS, memories and beauty in a small town

Early Midland Hotel

Midland Railroad Hotel in 2010

Elsie Stoppel Rude stayed at the Midland Railroad Hotel in Wilson KS during the annual Czech Festival July 2010. The Festival is held the last weekend of July and celebrates the town's heritage. The small town of about 850 people is alive with visitors for the two day event when families get together to have some Czech fun. The recently reopened Midland Railroad Hotel was filled to capacity. The Festival and hotel are a testament to small town initiative. The hotel's history spans more than 111 years and even had a movie filmed there, (Paper Moon 1973)

Elsie was a chambermaid at the Midland Railroad Hotel 70 years ago and shared some of her memories about the experience. She and her two sisters worked there one summer when she was about 16. The going wage was about $4 a month plus room and board. She remembers that chickens were raised on top floor of the four story building to help defray the cost of operation. Elsie remembers getting up about 5am and working long hours in the kitchen and cleaning rooms each day.

Heddy Mahoney at front desk

Things have changed since Elsie worked there as the Midland Railroad Hotel underwent over $3 million dollars in renovation in 2003. Unfortunately after the renovation the hotel did not remain in operation and recently was sold to Tom and Heddy Mahoney of Dorrance KS.

It reopened just in time for the Czech Festival with Heddy at the front desk greeting guests and making sure everything ran smooth.

The Midland rivals any five star hotel experience but with the charm of small town living. It is within driving distance of Lake Wilson a boating, camping, fishing lake and if you have an inkling for antiques and treasure hunting the area is the place to do it. There are not any chickens on the top floor now. Restaurant is open Thursday, Friday, Saturday beginning at 5pm

Contact information for the Midland RailRoad Hotel: Telephone-785 658 226 Address- 414 26th Street, Wilson, KS 67490; email--midland@wtc/web.com. Owners Tom and Heddy Mahoney.

Kansas Originals and Red Hat Ladies

Red Hat Society ladies are true originals they are festive and fun with names like: Red Hot Jewels (Jewel County KS group) and Red Hot Czechettes (Wilson, KS group). It is great to see a group of people out for a good time enjoying a fun day with the companionship of like minded people. On Sunday, February 13, 2010 both groups of Red Hat Ladies were visiting Kansas Originals Market in Wilson, KS.

Kansas Originals Market celebrates original Kansas craftsmen, cooks and artists. It is a non profit foundation that offers "high quality and home-grown products created with pride" and exceptional craftsmanship. The products are consigned by a majority of people over 62 yrs, low income, minorities and/or women in business for themselves.






When you walk in the door it is a feast for the senses.

The Red Hat Society display welcomed the two Red Hat Society groups that came to shop and look.






The Kansas food room is full of samples for trying before buying; wonderful mixes, jellies, jams and butters, pickles, candies and relishes. There are also recipe books, embroidered tea towels and other delightful fare to fill a shopping bag with a taste of Kansas.





The Red Hot Jewels of Jewel County stopped shopping long enough to smile for the camera: Their names in no particular order are: Clarabelle, Rosella,Martha L, Roberta, Darlene, Matha H, Twila, Sandra, Jane, Betty, JoAnn.

The Red Hot Czechettes (Wilson) also took a break to show off their beautiful red hats and attire. Their names (in no particular order) are: Jan, Sue, Vera, Alice, Zona, Fran, Rita.

Take a day off to drive to Kansas Originals Market in Central Kansas, spend time browsing the wonderful Kansas products and then drive up north around Lake Wilson, across the dam and to Lucas, KS where you will see the Garden of Eden and wonderful grass roots art. Rural Kansas has some amazing surprises in store for you. Kansas Originals Market is right off I70 about 50 miles West of Salina, KS. The map can be moved with your mouse to see where Wilson and Wilson Lake are located from other major cities in Kansas. Enjoy! :o)



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