Harvey Houses of Kansas: Historic Hospitality from Topeka to Syracuse

by Rosa Walston Latimer

Starting in Kansas, Fred Harvey's iconic Harvey House was the first to set the standard for fine dining and hospitality across the rugged Southwest. In 1876, the first of Harvey's depot restaurants opened in Topeka, followed just a few years later by the first combination hotel and restaurant in Florence. Fred Harvey and the Harvey Girls introduced good food and manners to the land of Bat Masterson, Wyatt Earp and raucous cattle drives. In her third book on the Harvey House legacy, author Rosa Walston Latimer goes back to where it all began in this history of hospitality from the Sunflower State.

Genres: History

146 pages, Hardcover

First published October 12, 2015

Reviews

[Laura]

What a nice book about the history of the Harvey Girls in Kansas. What I hadn’t known was that the Harvey Girls began in Leavenworth, KS. I saw the movie, The Harvey Girls starring Judy Garland, when I was a little girl. I couldn’t believe they had really existed. Some original recipes from the Harvey Hotels are included in the back.

[Melanie]

I might have enjoyed this more had I not read Appetite for America by Stephen Fried which went much deeper into Fred Harvey's empire. I also felt this book was disjointed and didn't flow very well. What I did enjoy was the first hand stories of many former Harvey Girls and their experiences. There are also many pictures. Considering how grand many of the restaurants especially those with the hotels no longer exist is quite sad. I have even been to the hotel and depot site in Chanute as it is the Martin and Osa Johnson Safari Museum, but didn't realize it was a former Harvey property. This is a part of history we don't recognize, and it has had such a huge influence of our lives - regulations, expanding our palates, logistics...

[Julia]

I love reading the history of Kansas. Fred Harvey was a pioneer in the restaurant business but also with marketing. I only wished That I could visit these Harvey Houses, but many were torn down. I did find out there was a Musical made starring Judy Garland. I thought it interesting she made 2 movies with ties to Kansas. This book is leading me to others. I especially want to find the Harvey House cookbook.

[Roy Laney]

The historic grandeur of Kansas and their train depots.

I really enjoyed reading this about the various locations of the Harvey Houses. I'm familiar with Coolidge and Syracuse and was astounded that they had such big train depots. The pictures and historical information was very interesting. Thank you!

[Laura]

A Detailed Look Inside Kansas' Harvey Houses

After reading more general books about Fred Harvey and his empire, I enjoyed reading about the specifics about each location and the anecdotes from HH employees. I only regret I was born too late to visit one in its heyday. Recommended for Harvey House buffs and Kansas history lovers.

[Susan]

I always knew about the business and Harvey Girls ~ or thought I did, was I wrong! The business sense of Fred Harvey was amazing, well ahead of his time at marketing. Interesting read.

[Juliewheatcox.Net]

This book made me want to visit the depots that are still remaining.
I’d also love to tour the Harvey Museum in Leavenworth some day.

[Linda]

This is an interesting book about Fred Harvey and the ingenious way he fed people along the railways of the United States. This particular book focuses on the Harvey Houses in Kansas. He had high expectations of his workers, and provided good food in clean places for weary travelers.

[Denise]

Kansas history

What a wonderful history on Kansas and the rail road. This was a very enjoyable read with information not often discussed in the talk of Kansas history.

[Linda]

I am glad that the author has collected this information and written this book.

This is valuable Kansas history.