GEORGE FINNUP

 George Finnup, son of Frederick, carried on the family’s entrepreneurial spirit and became a respected business leader in Garden City. Known for his sound judgment and lasting relationships, George met his future wife, Alta May Smith—daughter of another pioneer family—at the Finnup Grocery Store. They married in 1902 and raised two children, Frederick and Isabel.

When the city faced bankruptcy during the panic of 1893, George stepped in, helping to find new investors and settle the city’s debt. His efforts saved Garden City and set the stage for a lifetime of giving back.

As his businesses thrived, George turned his focus to philanthropy, especially in education. Believing every school should have a library, he offered to match funds for any school district willing to invest in books. Every district in Finney County accepted—and soon, schools across southwest Kansas followed.

His generosity extended across southwest Kansas—funding school and community projects, donating bonds to every church in Garden City, and providing Thanksgiving meals for local children. In 1919, he gifted 111 acres to the city for Finnup Park, honoring his father. The city celebrated "Finnup Day" for many years in gratitude.

Though George died in 1937 during the Great Depression, the Finnup Foundation fulfilled his wish to support and beautify the park. Often called the “Carnegie of Southwest Kansas,” George quietly transformed lives without seeking recognition, guided by the principle from Matthew 6:3-4: “Do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.”

His commitment to making Western Kansas a better place to live is a cornerstone of the Finnup family legacy.