Cactus Post Office South of Almena, KS 1905 The sod house of James A & Mary (Tisdell) Scott L to R James Scott, Mary Scott & Children Joseph Henry, Myrtle Christina, Matlida Mariah & Alexander, Keith One Person believes Henry & Alexander names are interchanged.
This was a community one mile east of the junction of Highways 60 and 36 and seven miles south, which takes one to the old Cactus Church. The Cactus schoolhouse originally was located in the center of the school district, and was later moved near a better road. The church was built in 1917 across the road to the north from the Cactus school.
Some of the families living in this community around 1935 were: the families of C. L. Cooley, Alex Lowry, John Karnopp, Carl Schick, Ralph Miner, Walter Miner, Ora Ray, Harry Sides, Roy Lindahl, Frank Bennett, Tracy Archer, Ira Mulder, Guy Hewett, D. N. Hewett, Will Reeser, Fred Dack, Harry Baker and Roy Sides.
A Cactus community sewing club was started on March 17 in 1937. In 1982, the club celebrated its’ 45th anniversary. Ellen (Mrs. Claude) Archer, who lives in Almena (1992) was one of the charter members of this club. Mrs. Harry (Argie) Sides was another charter member (Argie passed away at Norton, KS in 1992). At times, there were as many as 18 members of this sewing club.
In the very early days, a dugout Post Office was established on the Sides’ home place, and was run by a family named Grant. The Post Office later was moved to a sod house one-half mile west of that location.
The Cactus Church was built in 1917 one mile east and seven miles south of the junction of Highways 36 and 60. It was a Free Methodist Church. The church is still standing and is now owned by Tom Nuttycomb and is used as a machine shed (1992).