The James Adams Home

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The James Adams Home

 James Achilles Adams came ahead of his family into Salem Twp., where he found and bought the farm which later bore that name.  There was a house which he improved with a “loft” above which, for a time was the childrens’ dormitory.

 A short itme later, a “population explosion” mad the original Allen Center school building too small to properly handle the pupils.

 In addition it was found the buklding stood over the line between Salen and Allen Center townships; as a result there was much controversy and dissention until plans were drawn up to build a new Allen Center School which though now abandoned, still stands just north of the Fronk farm at LaHarpe, Salem Twp, Kansas.

 James Adams bought the old school building; moving it to the site of his home, the original which he moved back and to the north to be used as a summer kitchen with an addition for the drying, processing, and storing of herbs from Harriett Ann (Welch) Adams lovely geometric herb garden.

 The school building was enlarged and modernized with a second story and a loft which could be reached from outside by use of a ladder.  Flagstone walks were added, bordered by flowers and shrubbery was planted along the foundations of the house – a beautiful sight to behold from the gate with it’s hitching post; sitting in the shade of the great old trees, it was always cool in summer and like a fairy-land in the wintertime.

 Diagram

 By Zella Fronk Burtnett, granddaughter of James A. and Harriett Ann Welch Adams, thru their dau. Harriet Ann Adams Fronk.  8/16/1971