Local Committee Raising Funds to Get Highway Sign Honoring Former Governor Frank Carlson

A local committee is raising funds to install highway dedication signs recognizing Concordia's favorite son.

Frank Carlson, the thirtieth governor of Kansas, was born in Concordia, Kansas on January 23, 1893.  His education was attained at Concordia Normal and Business College and at Kansas State College, where he majored in agriculture.  During World War I, Carlson enlisted as a private in the U.S. Army, serving from 1918 to 1919.

Carlson entered politics in 1928, as a member of the Kansas House of Representatives, a position he held until 1933.  He also served as chairman of the Republican State Committee from 1932 to 1934, and was a member of the U. S. House of Representatives, serving from 1935 to 1947.

Carlson won the 1946 Republican nomination and was sworn into the governorship on January 13, 1947.  He was reelected to a second term in 1948.  During his tenure, state colleges and universities were expanded, a new state office building was approved, rural school programs were advanced, the state highway system was improved, and funding was secured for law enforcement progression.  Also, the state's mental hospital and social welfare programs were restructured, a permanent school building fund was initiated, a rural health service plan was instituted, and a gasoline tax was increased and used to fund a twenty-year highway-building program.

Carlson resigned from the governor's office on November 28, 1950, to take his seat in the U.S. Senate.  He served in this capacity until January 3, 1969.

Governor Carlson passed away on May 30, 1987.  He was buried at the Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Concordia.

Tom Tuggle has been working with Cloud County Tourism Director Susie Haver, Community Foundation for Cloud County Executive Director Brenda Gilliland and the Kansas Department of Transportation to design, create, and install two signs recognizing Concordia as the hometown of Governor Carlson.

Gilliland says the signs are allowed as part of the Governors of Kansas Hometown Heritage Act.

The proposal is for the signs to be erected on US Highway 81 at the north and south entrances to Concordia.

Gilliland said the committee is working to raise funds for this project through grants, gifts, and donations from individuals, businesses and organizations.

The sign committee has submitted a grant application for $10,000 to Cloud County for Meridian Way Wind Farm dollars provided each year to Cloud County by EDP Renewables.  This year, Cloud County has received a gift of $300,000 from the Meridian Way Wind Farm and EDP Renewables.  The funds are to be used to support innovative projects that enhance quality of life, prosperity and safety of the citizens of Cloud County by creating additional educational, recreational, social, health, community development, and economic opportunities for them and for existing and new businesses in Cloud County.

Gilliland says the highway signs honoring Frank Carlson will benefit Cloud County by educating travelers and locals about his legacy.

Gilliland said organizations or individuals interested in contributing to the project can do so through the Community Foundation for Cloud County.

You may also call the Community Foundation for Cloud County at (785) 243-1008 for more information.