European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - June 27, 1968, Darmstadt, Hesse A t Stew pm a a a a t Atli Tibia division cd Wetherill keeps Beer lighter 6n desk to remind him of pleasant Germany kit Tram last stand an Aerial View of the 24th inf div s new Home it. Riley Kan. In foreground is Kansas River formed by Republican and Smokey Hill Rivers. Golf course club House sign reflects Long history off. Riley. Is photos by red Grandy old timer at Riley is bit confused Over new european Road sign. When colonel Custer left goes the local joke he said Don t change anything Here at fort Riley until i get Back and we never have it follows that when a Sharp civilian employee at Riley was found by his Boss sitting with his feet up on his desk atthe end of a particularly trying Day he disarmingly explained i m still awaiting ouster s orders sir these Are merely whimsical reflections of the sense of history pervading the sprawling Post where the steady Stream of 24th inf div personnel arriving Here find themselves surrounded by Kansas Limestone buildings originating for the most part in the 19th Century. Scattered Over 100,000 acres some65 Miles West of Topeka and flanked by the wind washed towns of Junction Cit Yand Manhattan it. Riley came into being in 1853. It was then known As Camp Center based on the mistaken notion i hat it was situated precisely at the Center of the . The geographical Center of the Continental . Is in Kansas but near Lebanon in the North Central part of the state a few months later the name was changed to it. Riley honouring . Bennett Riley hero of the War with Mexico and a Well known India fighter. The fort was built As a base of operations for protecting Wagon trains travel ing the Santa be Trail just South of Riley against hostile indians. Riley was wisely built at the Confluence of the Republican and Smoky Hill Rivers by George Eberl staff \ which join to become the Kansas River sufficiently navigable to transport sup plies by Small boat from it. Leaven Worth. It. Riley s history is also mingle with another famous route the tins Holm Trail along which cattle were driven from Texas to Kansas Mere they were fattened up on the Lush Greengrass of Eastern Kansas before ship ment eastward by As the Railroad steadily advanced Westward the terminal Point of the Chisholm Trail shifted with it to Abi Lene and Dodge City out of h. sphere of Protection. N. Of the Indian wars Are a thing of the past but it. Riley s Lle it. Col. Caster s res is either by 1 it. David now a duplex. Lions of dollars Worth of Eye catching Rick residential construction has been completed or is going on. It will relieve the on Post housing shortage that forces Many personnel and their families Tolive in Junction City four Miles away or in Manhattan 12 Miles pop. 30,000 might offer a lure to some 24th inf div people since Kansas state University is located there. Through the University courses in Ger Man May be taken and membership in a German club is available through the institution s modern languages depart ment. Of rises fro the tree was occupied off first Toto his death Iana. 1two Miles Post Mil i968 by Junction City seems More Riley oriented. For one thing the Geary county seat Manhattan is the Riley county sea Junction City As has been noted is geographically closer to it. As a practical matter because it lacks the purchasing Power supplied by the presence of a state in manhat Tan. Prices Are cheaper in Junction Economy is geared to meeting the varied demands of military personnel whether it be 3.2 Beer Halls or clothing stores surplus gear shops or used Carlots. Reflecting the dependence of Junction City on it. Riley shopkeepers of the town pop. 20,000 called the Penta gon when the 9th inf div left Riley Tor now things Are looking up Tor Junction City an almost classic mid Western town with its Frame houses Elm Trees and eternal winds because the arrival of the 24th div adds 15,000 soldiers and dependents to Riley s military population. Duster s quarters at Riley Are marked with sign which Side of duplex he occupied is Incerta. The stars and stripes Page 13 Page 12 the stars and stripes
