Old-Fashioned Roots: Growing Up in Kansas With Depression-Era Parents

Growing up in Kansas with Depression-era parents meant I was raised with a deep appreciation for frugality, hard work, and simplicity. Today I’m sharing some of my memories, the rich history of Kansas, and the old-fashioned values that still shape the way I live.

1. About me

Hi, I’m Bonita. I’m early retired, living on a low income, off of savings, and on a farm in Kansas. 

I make frugal living content all year round and I hope you’ll join me as we continue to find ways to save money and live well.

2. Traveling

I’ve been on the road lately, but I’m finally back home. Aside from working 10 days at the state fair and a few election booth days, I plan to stay put. This weekend, I uncovered some beautiful stories and rich history in southeast Kansas.

4. Learning to drive

I learned to drive in the pasture, then on dirt roads before ever hitting the highway. That training was invaluable. Dirt roads can be tricky with sand, gravel, or mud, and you need to know how to handle them. 

You have to go fast enough not to get stuck, but slow enough not to lose control. I taught my kids the same way: pasture, dirt roads, highways, and then finally, city streets.

5. Small town history

I stopped in Beaumont, Kansas. They have a tiny airport cafe where small planes can still land in a nearby field. 

In the late 1940s, a pilot asked if he could land his plane there to check his cattle. That kicked off a trend of small planes landing on Main Street for a few years. 

Today, you’ll still find a historic plane, an old depot, and a wooden Frisco water tower. It’s a one-street town filled with charm. If you see a historical marker, take the time to stop.

6. Church and school memories

I grew up going to church every Sunday. It had no bathroom, no air conditioning, and electricity came later. We had a porta-potty out back and a cloakroom inside. 

When visiting the Topeka Museum, we saw a one-room schoolhouse that looked just like my childhood church. It even had the same setup inside and out. That moment brought back so many memories.

7. Pittsburgh and Greenbush

If you ever pass through Pittsburgh, Kansas, you’ll notice gorilla statues everywhere in support of their state university. It's a fun town to visit. 

I also stopped by Greenbush, where the ruins of a church from 1920 still stand. It all began when Father Phillip Colatin got caught in a storm and vowed to build a church if he survived. Four churches have since been built on that same spot, and one still stands today.

8. Nostalgic businesses

In Fredonia, I found a little burger and ice cream stand where you order from outside, just like the one I went to as a kid after baseball games. 

Ours was only open during the summer. You don’t see many of those places anymore, but they still exist here.

9. Wind turbines and starry skies

Southeast Kansas has plenty of wind turbines now, but some people feel they spoil the view and the peace of our night sky. 

We treasure the ability to see the stars clearly without the glow of city lights. We even had an observatory visit our back pasture once just to enjoy the view.

10. Kansas crops and DIY living

Kansas is known for wheat and corn, but we also grow soybeans, canola, cotton, and more. I recently saw a cornfield right between a Sonic and a strip mall. 

That blend of old and new is what I love about Kansas. My dad was a farmer who worked without air conditioning, patched his own tires, and fixed all his own machinery. 

We didn’t buy new things unless we had to. I still live pretty old-fashioned. Right now, it’s in the 90s and I have a fan blowing over frozen packs to keep me cool. It’s all about saving money and doing things yourself.