Leavenworth is loaded with culinary history

The real Harvey House

​At last week’s lecture by Stephen Fried, author of the new biography of legendary restaurateur Fred Harvey, I was reminded of the old Harvey mansion at 624 Olive Street in Leavenworth. Fred Harvey bought the striking stone building in 1883 and although several of his children lived in Kansas City, where the Fred Harvey Company was headquartered, Fred remained in Leavenworth until his death. The Harvey family continued to own the home until 1943, when they donated the property to the Cushing Hospital for use as a dormitory; it was later given to the Leavenworth Board of Education.

I was inspired to hop in the car for a day trip to Leavenworth, where I found the house empty and in need of expensive renovations. For many years, Leavenworth city officials have promised that the home will one day be opened as the Fred Harvey National Museum; one Leavenworth Web site refers to the museum as a “coming attraction.”

A Leavenworth resident told me, however, that there has been squabbling over what to do with the Harvey mansion, and how to pay for it, for years.

Will it ever be opened as a museum?

“Don’t hold your breath,” he said.

Another historic culinary attraction in Leavenworth that remains very much in business is the 76-year-old Nu Way Drive-In at 510 Shawnee Street downtown. The Nu Way was once a very big deal and Kansas City had several locations of the popular drive-in that served loose-meat sandwiches.