At the beginning of this city’s existence it was at the crossroads of travelers and pioneers from Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, New York, Illinois, Ohio and Michigan who settled here from 1850 to 1860. After the Frisco railroad refused to build a depot through the city, preferring a site a short distance nearby, the citizens of Republic raised money for a depot here. The railroad caused a rapid rise in the economy of the city although few industries besides farming existed in the area. With the railroad other establishments were soon created including stores, grain elevators, a feed mill, a brickyard, a blacksmith shop, a flour mill, a lime kiln and lumber company. The city’s aquatic center has a zero depth entry, splash and spray features, slides for adults and children, swivel blaster, water buckets, silly spray, umbrella jet, shade structures, floatable walk, The Huna Flowrider surfing simulator in addition to its main pool with lap lanes.

Judges

Hon. Andrew Hager, Jr.