About James Counts

James Counts was perhaps the first African American business owner in Junction City, Kansas, that catered to a general clientele. A native of South Carolina, he came to Kansas while serving in the 10th Cavalry. In 1914, he rented one of the small frame buildings on West 7th and opened a shoe-repair shop, garnering contracts from Fort Riley and other posts. Within a year, he moved the business into a substantial stone structure across the street at 118 West 7th. A newspaper article in 1918 reported that Counts employed six people and had purchased machinery worth several thousand dollars. He made it a point to teach his trade to young boys, five of whom are shown in the photo. Credit: Geary County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Facebook post, 2/15/2021.