📸 Flashback Friday: Salina Post - The Hub

Salina Post proudly presents Flashback Friday in partnership with the Smoky Hill Museum. Enjoy a weekly tidbit of local history from the staff at Salina Post and the Smoky Hill Museum as we present "Salina-Flashback Fridays."

By SALINA POST

A postcard of The Hub, Salina, Kansas, located at the corner of Santa Fe and Iron Ave. There are men standing at the corner. Postcard is postmarked Nov 25, 1908. There is a sign on the pole that reads, "Baseball To Day." <b>Image courtesy Smoky Hill Museum</b> — A postcard of The Hub, Salina, Kansas, located at the corner of Santa Fe and Iron Ave. There are men standing at the corner. Postcard is postmarked Nov 25, 1908. There is a sign on the pole that reads, "Baseball To Day." **Image courtesy Smoky Hill Museum**

Downtown Salina was booming with commerce in the late 1800s, and it quickly became an attractive location for businesses to set up shop in the grand storefronts on Santa Fe Avenue.

One entrepreneur, Louis Rosenwald, sought after Salina to open a clothing store, and in 1900, he had his chance to join Charles Benjamin to open The Hub.

Interior photo of The Hub, which was a clothing store in Salina, showing five salespeople, counter, merchandise, and three women customers; display cases, tables, radiator, May 7, 1901. <b>Image courtesy Smoky Hill Museum</b> — Interior photo of The Hub, which was a clothing store in Salina, showing five salespeople, counter, merchandise, and three women customers; display cases, tables, radiator, May 7, 1901. **Image courtesy Smoky Hill Museum**

Benjamin worked for the Ober Clothing Company from 1898 until the store moved from 100-02 S. Santa Fe Avenue.

When Ober moved, Rosenwald and Benjamin took the opportunity to claim a spot on the popular downtown strip.

Black and white picture of "Suit and Furnishing Goods Department, The Hub, Salina, Kansas" on the front of the card. On the back, "Return this card to us, and we will present you with a valuable and handsome Telephone Card. The Hub." Addressed to Mr. Geo W. Bearnes, Republic Ave. c. 1909. <b>Image courtesy Smoky Hill Museum</b> — Black and white picture of "Suit and Furnishing Goods Department, The Hub, Salina, Kansas" on the front of the card. On the back, "Return this card to us, and we will present you with a valuable and handsome Telephone Card. The Hub." Addressed to Mr. Geo W. Bearnes, Republic Ave. c. 1909. **Image courtesy Smoky Hill Museum**

According to the Smoky Hill Museum, The Hub opened its doors with "great fanfare" on Saturday, Aug. 25, 1900, offering Salinans a "full line of clothing, hats, furnishings and shoes for men and boys."

The Hub joined businesses like Sietz Drug Store, Salina Mercantile Co., Stevenson Clothing Company and The Salina Candy Company, providing a range of merchandise for residents and visitors.

Black and white photo of the interior of the store, The Hub. Men's trousers on front table shelves with boxes in the background. <b>Image courtesy Smoky Hill Museum</b> — Black and white photo of the interior of the store, The Hub. Men's trousers on front table shelves with boxes in the background. **Image courtesy Smoky Hill Museum**

Rosenwald and Benjamin aimed to set themselves apart from the competing downtown mercantile, so they appealed to residents with affordable prices and a money-back program on merchandise.

With the prime location on the corner of Iron and Santa Fe avenues, The Hub advertised with the slogan, "When in Salina, visit Louis and Ben!" and began offering accessories like hats and jewelry.

Santa Fe with The Hub on the southwest corner of Santa Fe & Iron, c. 1915. <b>Image courtesy Smoky Hill Museum</b> — Santa Fe with The Hub on the southwest corner of Santa Fe & Iron, c. 1915. **Image courtesy Smoky Hill Museum**

According to the Smoky Hill Museum, The Hub continued operation until around 1922, with new businesses taking over the storefront to continue local Salina commerce.

📸 Flashback Friday: Salina Post - The Hub - Vol. 29