Salter Home Museum - Argonia, KS
Posted by: 
YoSam.
N 37° 15.886 W 097° 46.078
14S E 609242 N 4124955
The town of Argonia was incorporated in 1885. Mrs. Salter's father, Oliver Kinsey, was its first mayor and her husband was city clerk.
Waymark Code: WMNJ23
Location: Kansas, United States
Date Posted: 03/21/2015
Views: 1
County of museum: Sumner County
Location of museum: 220 W. Garfield St., Argonia
Phone: Contact Mary Beth Bookless at 620-435-6171
"Argonia, incorporated in 1885, was named for the Argonauts of Greek legend, a band of heroes with whom Jason set out to fetch the Golden Fleece in the ship Argo. Alfred E. Parker, a young lawyer from Wellington, whose father was a member of the Town Company, proposed the name Argonia. In the winter of 1885 and 1886, the Missouri Pacific built tracks through town, bringing more people to settle. Records show that in 1886, Argonia was home to approximately 800 people.
"At the time of the town's establishment, prohibition was a major issue. Mrs. Susanna Madora Salter (born 3/2/1860) served as mayor of Argonia in 1887. A supporter of prohibition, she was the first woman mayor elected in the United States. Mrs. Salter received congratulations from Baroness Elizabeth Teste, a member of the Society of Letters of the People of Italy, and from a distinguished citizen of Germany. A New York City newspaper carried an article about her election. The Salter's home at the corner of Osage & Garfield is now a museum.
"In 1933 a bronze plaque, given by the Woman's Kansas Day Club, was unveiled in Argonia in honor of the "First Woman Mayor in the United States." Mrs. Salter was the guest of honor for the ceremony. The plaque was mounted and placed in front of the old township hall. Later it was moved and placed in front of the museum.
"Located on the corner of Osage & Garfield in Argonia, the Salter House is open to the public by appointment. Contact Mary Beth Bookless at 620-435-6171 to make arrangements." ~ City of Argonia