September 15, 2026 Blog The Honeymoon by Earl Shreckengast
CELEBRATING 150 YEARS— The Honeymoon
Having traveled for five weeks, the honeymoon party arrived at what was becoming the honeymoon destination of the 1870s, Niagara Falls. Their journey had stops in Cincinnati, Washington City, Philadelphia, and New York City. It included time with the family, Centennial Exposition business, sightseeing and excursions, dining and entertainment, and shopping.
It all began on July 25, 1876, in the early morning when Charles Koester and Sylvia Broughten were married at Sylvia’s brother’s house in Marysville. By 9:15 a.m. that morning they had boarded the train for their Centennial Trip (honeymoon). The party of six included Charles and Sylvia plus two nieces, Jenny and Ludo Schmidt, and two nephews, Francis and Charley Schmidt. They were the eldest children of Charles’ sister Jane, and his brother-in-law, Frank.
Their journey was memorable. The first stop was in Cincinnati where Charles introduced his new bride to relatives from his mother’s side of the family, the Muth’s. His sister Jane’s four oldest children, who were traveling with them, met their Muth cousins. Cincinnati had significance because in 1852, Charles and Jane, as children, and their parents came to Cincinnati when they emigrated from Hesse Cassel, Germany to be near their mother’s two brothers.
Next, in Washington City, Charles, Sylvia, nieces, and nephews were tourists visiting many of the sites that modern-day visitors enjoy. They took a steamer down the Potomac River to George Washington’s Mount Vernon. They were the 76,706 th through 76,711 th visitors to Arlington Cemetery. They checked out the Egyptian mummies and hieroglyphic writings predating Christ by 3200 years at the Smithsonian Institution. Unlike today in which security is tight, they went to the White House and met President Ulysees Grant.
Although Charles, one of the Centennial Managers for Kansas, had responsibilities at the Kansas and Colorado Building at the Exposition, he and the family found time to partake in the excitement of the Exposition and the City of Philadelphia during their 20 days there. They toured the massive Main, Machinery, Horticulture, and Memorial exhibition halls that were located on the 285-acre fairgrounds. These buildings encompassing as much as 35 acres showcased innovations and advancements in agriculture, industry, and the arts.
They marveled at the Cataract, a massive, multi jet water fountain which was a showpiece of hydraulic pumping power. Another indoor highlight was Operti Tropical Garden. Designed by Italian Giuseppe Operti, it blended real exotic plants with painted scenery, statuary, artificial rockwork, and waterfalls to produce a Victorian fantasy of the tropics.
The Kansas House was not without its highlights. It boasted a nine-foot-wide replica of the Liberty Bell made of grasses and grains that hung from the ceiling. Underneath it was a 14-foot-tall bronze fountain. A replica of the U.S. Capitol served as a platform to display Kansas produce and products.
Besides their visits to the exhibit halls, they did some shopping, took day trips, and attended musical and theatrical performances in the evening. They had their wedding photo, which is on display at the Museum, taken while in Philadelphia. Charles, Sylvia, Jenny, Ludo, Francis, and Charley were tourists at their next stop, New York City. They took a ferry to Brooklyn to visit Green-Wood Cemetery, which was the second most visited tourist site in the United States after Niagara Falls. They took a steamer to Rockaway Beach on Long Island where they saw lots of sea bathing for the first time.
The honeymoon journey ended in early September with a day-and-a-half stop at Niagara Falls. On the first day, they took a carriage in the morning from the International Hotel to see the wild Whirl Pool Rapids. In the evening, they crossed over the Niagara River on the new bridge to the Canadian side. They had a group photo taken in a carriage with the American Falls in the background. They spent the balance of the day on the banks of the Niagara on the Canada side in full view of Bridal Veil, the American Horseshoe, and Table Rock Falls. The next morning before breakfast Francis, Charley, and Charles walked to the rapids above the falls at the bridge to Goat Island.
The photo above of the wedding party at Niagara Falls was taken on September 5, 1876. The American Falls is pictured from the Canadian side. In the carriage are newlyweds Charles and Sylvia and four of Charles’ nieces and nephews, Jenny, Ludowine, Francis, and Charley Schmidt.
Originally posted by Koester House Museum & Gardens via LocableKoester House Museum & Gardens
919 Broadway Street
Marysville, KS 66508
785-562-2417
www.koesterhousemuseum.com
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