Friday, December 18, 2009

Before the devastating tornado in 2007, Greensburg was well-known for two things: 1) the world's largest hand-dug well and 2) a meteor shower that occurred about 20,000 years ago.

In 1949, a half-ton meteorite was discovered and moved to the Big Well Museum. Greensburg residents remember the two being linked together for years.

"I grew up in Greensburg, and I remember visiting the meteorite here in the museum before the tornado," says Stacy Barnes.

It took just a couple days to find the meteorite, but after its rediscovery, it took a leave of absence from the tornado-ravaged town. It first went to the Exploration Place in Wichita and then to the Sternberg Museum in Hays.

After it spent a couple of years in Hays, Greensburg residents are happy to have it back where it belongs.

"It's very exciting to have it back here in Greensburg," adds Barnes. "A lot of people are really excited to see it return."

Greensburg City Hall is the temporary holding-place until the new Big Well Museum is built. Barnes says the giant meteorite is a vital part to the city's continuous effort to a full recovery.

"We have very few pieces of history left here in Greensburg," notes Barnes, "a few buildings that survived the tornado and then this meteorite. To be able to have it here for visitors and locals is really important."

In Greensburg, Rye Addis, KAKE News.