Historical Society Presentation on Occidental Coming May 6

The Johnson County Historical Society (JCHS) will present the final program for the year on Monday, May 6 at the Johnson County Library in Buffalo.

The program will feature Joan K. Smith discussing the history of the Occidental Hotel.

According to a release from the JCHS, the Occidental, from 1917 to 1997, was never a stand-alone business, never a stand-alone story, which is why its history is hard to tell.

Its story blended with the story of the Smith Brother’s Ranch, as well as the stories of the extended families.

It was more than a building or a business, it was the story of a family, of the good and bad, of struggles and the successful perseverance and a lasting legacy.

Presenter Joan Smith said, “the Occidental Hotel is a part of the Smith story: mine, along with my sisters, Margaret and Betty, as well as my cousin Alfred B. Smith and his children Sheryl and Mike.”

The program will be presented Monday, May 6 at 6:30 p.m. in the Twing Room at the library in Buffalo.

It is free to attend and open to the public.