History of Paola Floral

The first greenhouse in Paola was opened by Mrs. Lillie Garman on May 13, 1910, on East Miami Street, was known as Paola Floral Company. She sold the business in 1914 to Charles Hagemeyer. Being rather small, the greenhouse was moved to 409 S. Walnut, where new greenhouses and a home were built, and became known as Hagemeyer Floral Company.

Charles Hagemeyer operated the greenhouse until his death in 1928. He then passed the business on to his son, who changed the name back to Paola Floral Company. Fred continued to operate until the fall of 1946, when he moved to California.

Mrs. Cynthia Larson and her son, Charles, owners of a greenhouse in Clarion, Iowa, decided they would like to relocate to a milder climate. When they found Paola Floral Company for sale, they purchased the business and took over November 1, 1946.

Jim Osburn, of Osburn Floral & Greenhouse, Ottawa, Kansas purchased the business August 25, 1956. Mr. Osburn operated the business for 17 years, rehiring Fred Hagemeyer as a grower, when he returned to Paola. In the summer of 1966 Mr. Osburn hired a young man from Hillsdale, Kansas, Jim Johnson, to help out around the greenhouse, who would later become the owner.

Irwin and Ruth Crawford purchased the business in the fall of 1973 from Mr. Osburn. In the summer of 1975 the Crawford's relocated the retail floral portion of the business to the east side of the square, 11 S. Pearl. They operated the retail floral shop and greenhouse with their son, Loren, until the fall of 1976.

Jim and Wilma Johnson of Paola, Kansas purchased the greenhouse and retail floral business December 1, 1976. Jim and Wilma renamed the greenhouses Jim's Tropical Gardens and the retail floral shop to Paola Floral & Gifts. Jim & Wilma had three sons, Jim Jr., Jeff and Jeremy who all assisted in the family business.

The Johnson family operated the greenhouses until May 13, 1983, when they sold it to William Teate. William ran them for several more years until March 21, 1988, and at that time, the greenhouses were torn down. The land where they sat was later developed with residential homes.

In 1986 Paola Floral & Gifts was moved to it's present location on the south side of the square, 9 West Wea. Jim Jr. & his wife Tammy purchased the family business December 1, 2002. Jim Jr. and Tammy have two sons, Jimmy III and Andrew who help in the business. Currently Jim Sr., Wilma, Jim Jr., Tammy, Jimmy III and Andrew Johnson all contribute to the family business. The Johnson's have been in the floral industry since 1966, and Paola Floral & Gifts has been serving the Paola community since 1910.