Mitchell County Historical Society Museum

09/25/2026

08/01/2026

Gregg Olson Celebration of life. Sunday, August 9, 2026 2:00 pm at the Mitchell County Historical Society Museum. Bring your stories, memories & pictures of Gregg. This will be a sharing of Gregg and how he impacted our lives.

07/18/2026

Today in Downs.

Join us for Sod & Stubble Days in Downs, KS on July 18 as we celebrate the story, the book, and the movie.
⭐️Tour the house where Sod & Stubble was filmed
⭐️ Meet and Greet select cast and crew
⭐️Special appearances by R.W. Hampton and Mitch Holthus
⭐️Special screening of Home on the Range and Sod & Stubble at Downs Memorial Hall

Tickets will be purchased on site. $10/person, $25/family.

We hope to make this an annual tradition as we support the people who are at the heart of this wonderful story.

07/16/2026

30 Years Ago: This coming fall marks 30 years since Beloit captured the 1996 Kansas Class 3A state football championship, defeating Wellsville 36-6 at Fort Hays State University.

The Trojans, coached by Wayne Olson with assistants Andy Niemczyk, Shawn Fowler and Jay Rowh, finished 12-1, outscoring opponents 402-128. Beloit’s postseason run included victories over Marion (36-0), Halstead (16-7), Smith Center (28-22) and Wellsville (36-6) to claim the state title.

What made the championship even more remarkable was the journey. From 1991 through 1995, Beloit failed to qualify for the state playoffs while competing in one of the toughest districts in Kansas during an era when only one team advanced out of district play. The Trojans finished 6-3 in 1995, but still missed the postseason.

Everything came together in 1996. Beloit broke through, won the district, advanced to the playoffs and never looked back, turning years of frustration into a dominant state championship season.

The championship roster included Luke Baxa, Jerod Brummer, Seth Chapman, Brandon Dimmick, Josh Engelbert, Gary File, Lee File, Matt Frederking, Matt Fuller, Erick Grace, Pat Gray, Darin Gronewoller, Justin Hackett, Joe Heidrick, Ryan Isbell, Brock Jermark, Levi Lange, Ryan Luke, Shane Mackay, Randy McGinnis, David McGrath, Kevin Motes, Nathan Naasz, Keegan Odle, Brett Rowh, Casey Seyfert, Tony Thompson, Micah Tice, Devin Treaster, Ty Vetter, Jerod Waggoner, Josh Ward and Theron Welch.

What do you remember about Beloit’s 1996 state championship season?

07/11/2026

The Jed Black memorial Bell made it's debut at Lakefest!