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I live in Olpe,Kansas! Olpe is eleven miles south of Emporia, KS on the Howard Branch , was established in 1879 when the Santa Fe built this line. Bitlertown, a few rods southwest of the Olpe town site, south of the tracks, founded by Daniel Bitler in 1877, made a fight to retain its name. The new founder, a man named Flusche, wishing to please his German neighbors, named the new town for his home city, Olpe, In Germany, and the Santa Fe decided in his favor. Eagle Creek, established probably in the eighteen sixties, was a star route post office kept by Mr. and Mrs. F.G. Soule, a mile west of the present town. A stage barn was located on the Soule farm, and horses were changed there on the trip to Eureka. Olpe is a neat an thrifty place, one of the best-kept towns in Lyon County, and has a larger proportion of home-owners than any other Lyon County town. Its most imposing building is the large and handsome Catholic Church---St. Joseph's---and a the Catholic parochial school is housed in a substantial building. There is a good public school building and a Methodist and a Lutheran Church. This description of Olpe was written in 1929 by Laura M. French and today is still true, except the Lutheran Church moved to Emporia! Olpe has a population of about 600 people. Would you like to visit the OLPE, Germany page, just click on the button.

I took a short trip to Westphalia, Iowa. I had never seen my Great Grand Parents grave markers. It was a very scenic drive through the country side. My Great Grand Parents were born in Europe and I was born long after they were dead. I don't know why they decided to come to America. I would just guess that it was for land. The records that I have indicate that in 1855 he decided to emigrate to America. The information I have is from traveling papers prepared by the Local catholic priest. My Great Grand Mother was born Katharina Wudinger on March 1814 in Kreis Pilsen Bohmen, Ö esterich. She died on March 22, 1895 and is buried in the St. Boniface Cemetery in Westphalia, Iowa. Her tomb stone is still standing and the Cemetery is keep in very good shape. My Great Grand Father's tomb stone has been broken. The local parishioners have placed it on a concrete pad.

As you can see in the picture at the left, only the top half survives. My Great Grand Father (Raimund Pimpl) was born on December 5, 1811 or 1814 in Reuan Kreis Pilsen Bohmen,Ö esterich. He died on October 21, 1875 in Shelby county, Westphalia, Iowa. Great grand father emigrated with three children from his second marriage. Theresia Pimpl was born in Rojau on September 29, 1849. Mauriz Pimpl was born in Rojau on October 16, 1850. Wendelin Pimpl was born in Rojau on July 23, 1852. He also was accompanied by two children from his first marriage. Anna Pimpl was born in Rojau on April 14, 1843. Anton Pimpl was born in Rojau on January 12, 1846. Great Grand Father was a butcher master in Rojau #72. This information was recorded by the Catholic pastor Adrian Wettstein.

Dean has the latest information .

As you can see Dean has a lot of mowing to do. The City of Olpe maintenance man is always on the job. However sometimes his duty's as a volunteer FIRE MAN are the most important.  If you see any problem please report it to Dean. You can check out the City Building. Or you could leave an E-Mail message through the link above. The City would like to here from any one who leaves or visits. We wish to serve the community. If you leave Dean a message be sure to locate any problem you are reporting. Sometimes it will take us a while to fix a problem, but we don't give up. Dean will be working on upgrading the Water system soon. As Olpe grows, we must also grow the sewer and water system. Dean is studying both Sewer and Water system maintenance with Kansas Rural Water Association.

Joyce is the voice of Olpe.

This is Olpe City Hall and the city clerk, Joyce is standing outside. Joyce has been studying city government with the League of Kansas Municipalities. She will answer your questions on your water bill or any other questions about Olpe government. Most of Joyce's experience is as a bookkeeper. She is keeping up to date with other community's around the state. Joyce will be very busy this year with all the contractors wanting to be paid. Also Joyce will have to oversee the grants the City of Olpe has obtained.

Harry knows his fish .

Harry Ellis is the Number One Lake man. He and his wife Marge keep the Olpe City Lake up and running. He has been watching over the Lake for three years now and knows almost every one that fishes or camps on the lake. He has been feeding the fish in the lake, so we hope that BIG FISH will be caught this year. This may be the first year that Saugeye will be caught in the lake. Harry ,with the help of Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, Stocked the Saugeye last year. Harry has a big job keeping the swimming beach clean and making sure that everyone is safe!

This is a view of Steffes Memorial Park. It is named for Mr. Bill Steffes. Mr. Steffes was one of Olpe's leading citizens. He was a past mayor and councilman. He also was one of the prominent businessmen of the town. For many years he was the owner and operator of the Skelly Oil Station and Garage in Olpe. He also built several buildings and started the Olpe Food Bank. His son Gene Steffes operated the Olpe Food Bank till he retired. The illuminated sign in Steffes Park was placed their by the Olpe Lions Club. To many people traveling on Highway 99, this sign is the only Olpe news they get. The Olpe American Legion also uses the park to fly American flags on holidays. The Olpe Lions club has been active in the community. They have built the Jones Trust Park and other civic improvements. The Olpe Lions Club meets at the Chicken House Restaurant on the first and third Monday of the month, at 7 PM!

Any Olpe area resident that wants to join The Lions Club should contact us. We can always use a new member. 

Olpe also has Down Home Day, July 8 is the date for 2006. " 

This is the Dunk Tank and Natalie is about to be dunked!

 Every one has a good time at the Down Home Day

 and the children especially enjoy the day.

Olpe High School has a good Home Page. Why not visit it.

See if you can find someone you know listed. Click on the ALUMNI button!

Want to ask Leon a Question? Just click here!

Try Need a good HTML editor? Try Arachnophilia and it has an interesting WEB site. Check it out!!
The price is right for the Editor.

Are you having trouble with Graphics?? Try Paint Shop Pro. I use it for graphics and can recommend it. Version 9 is now available.

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Modified on May 29, 2006