Hesston, KS

Hesston Iconic Images from 2009

The Iconic Images Youth Camp, held in Hesston during the 2009 Kansas-Nebraska Chautauqua, produced

the photographs below. The purpose of the workshop was to teach youths, grades 9-12, about the 1930s.

In preparation for the workshop, the community chose several images that were icons of the 1930s

in Hesston. These images are also posted on this website. The assignment was for the participants

to find and photograph icons in the Hesston area that represent 2009.

"Downtown Hesston," by Audra Miller, shows the full downtown of Hesston, Kan. It shows main street and all

of the buildings on it. The picture shows that Hesston does not have a large downtown, but the buildings are all old.

Audra said, "One of the things everyone says about Hesston is, 'we have no downtown' and we don't. Our downtown

is very small, unlike a lot of the other towns around here. This is the main part of Hesston so it is very special.

I wanted a shot that represented something in Hesston that everyone would recognize. Main Street is definitely

the place to take that picture. I like the picture because it catches life in Hesston, and that's good."

“Harvest of Hope,” by Courtney Beougher, represents how the town was built upon hard-working people.

From horse-pulled combines to tractor-pulled combines to self-propelled combines.

Courtney, 15, said, "I liked what it told about the people who run them."

“Journey of Industry,” by Audra Miller, pictures the railroad tracks that run through town. It also pictures

Kropft Lumber Industries, the city's old water tower, and the brand new water tower. It shows advancement.

It pictures big objects that are well known in the town. It shows you the old and new of Hesston. The sky

in the background is almost a logo of small-town Kansas sunsets. Audra said, "I wanted to get a shot of both

water towers and when I saw the sunset I had to take a picture. It was just too beautiful."

“Seeds of Faith," by Courtney Beougher, shows an old granary that the town was built upon.

Courtney quoted her great-grandfather, saying, "Plant in the dust and your bins will bust."

She said, "I came to the conclusion that technology has improved greatly in the past 50 years."

"Onward and Upward," by Audra Miller, is taken upward showing grain bins. The old company

Sunglow Feeds was the tallest structure in town, so you can always see it. It represents

the farmers of Hesston. Hesston is a small town and started out by farmers. The grain bins represent

harvest and are a very strong structure in our small town. Audra said, "I was walking around the bins

and decided to get a shot from the ground up. The sky was pretty and blue. The grain bins have been

used in many art projects at Hesston High and I thought they would work for a photograph."

“Take a Walk,” by Courtney Beougher, represents the community's peace. It’s a place where people

can go on a nice summer evening and take a walk. Courtney said, "It's been a good place that is safe

where you can go hang out. It’s a big part of the Hesston community."

“Open Sky,” by Audra Miller is a photograph of the top of a building of the old Hesston company,

Sunglow Feeds. It is the highest point in town besides the new water tower and during sunsets you can

always see it. The top of Sunglow Feeds represent industry, a big thing for Hesston. Audra said, "The picture

is so simple, yet pretty. The open sky and moon represent how vast Kansas is, but that it is also unique.

While I was walking around the building the sun was setting. As I looked up the light hit the building

just right and the moon was right behind it. I had to get a shot of the wondrous scene."
 

“Well of Life,” by Courtney Beougher, depicts an old water pump near Courtney's house.

It was inspired by the thought of how our source of water has changed over the last 100 years.

Courtney said, "It made me realize the hard work people had to go through just to get water."

“Reclusive Old Barn,” by Audra Miller, is a photograph of an old barn in town. It is one of the oldest

structures in Hesston. This barn is one of the few things still standing in town that is very old. Audra said,

"It represents the people who first settled here and it is beautiful. Hesston is a beautiful city as well.

Someone told me there was an old barn in Hesston and I never knew about it. I had to check it out.

As I approached, I saw the wonderful flowered bush and the light was just right so I took the picture.

“Ye Shall Thirst No More," by Courtney Beougher, is a photo of Hesston’s main source

of water. As the Hesston community grows there is a great need for advancement.

Courtney said, "I liked the story it told about the community."

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