ecowan – Kansas Preservation Alliance

Endangered:
Howard National Bank

Year(s) Listed: • 2023 | City/Town: • Howard

In April of 1877, the Elk County “State” Bank was organized with George W. McKey as President. Just a few short years later the bank was converted to the Howard National Bank. And in May of 1888 work would start on a massive castle-like building for the bank. The Citizen newspaper states, “The Howard National …

Endangered:
Edwin A. Smith Home

Year(s) Listed: • 2023 | City/Town: • Wellington

Joseph C. Smith Sr. and Mary Francis Burt Smith had decided that Wellington Kansas would be the place they settled down to have and raise their children. Mary had birthed four children Edwin, Joseph Jr., Nelly, and Harry. Edwin A. Smith was the eldest of the bunch born in 1870, they had brought him from his birthplace of Madison Indiana to Kansas …

Endangered:
Southwestern Bell Telephone Co. Station

Year(s) Listed: • 2023 | City/Town: • Fort Scott

This building sits alone, vacant and abandoned on the outskirts of Fort Scott. While the building itself history is little to none that could be found it is a part of history much bigger, that of the Southwestern Bell Telephone Company. Southwestern Bell purchased this property in March 1930 and constructed the building shortly after. …

Endangered:
Landmark Water Tower

Year(s) Listed: • 2022 | City/Town: • Manhattan

The 316,000 gallon Landmark Water Tower was constructed in 1922. The water tower helped expand the waterworks and equalize water pressure throughout Manhattan. It is no longer used as a water tower or viewing tower but serves as a historic landmark for the area. The water tower is a standpipe with a cylindrical tower over …

Endangered:
Marion County Poor Farm

Year(s) Listed: • 2022 • 2023 | City/Town: • Marion

Picture from KSHPO The poor farm’s main building was constructed in 1889-1890 on a parcel of land once owned by W.E. Glover. Glover’s house is still standing. The poor farm’s cemetery is located a few hundred feet north of the poor farm. The buildings on the property have fallen into serious neglect since being abandoned …

Endangered:
Tiny Jails

Year(s) Listed: • 2022 • 2023 | City/Town: • Central Kansas • Eastern Kansas • Northern Kansas • Southern Kansas • Western Kansas

It’s safe to say that Tiny Jails have become a niche at the Abandoned Atlas Foundation. Making it a journey to document tiny jails all over the state. Most built in the 1880-1920s era they were used as merely holding tanks in their later years. Some were able to survive into the 1960s but most …

Endangered:
Lincoln High School

Year(s) Listed: • 2022 • 2023 | City/Town: • Lincoln

Since 1922, the former Lincoln High School has stood as a cornerstone of the community at the south end of 4th Street. Although it has largely sat vacant since the last class graduated from it in 1996, a group of local citizens organized the 1922 Foundation, a non-profit 501c(3), to purchase the building and work …

Endangered:
St Johns Hospital – Salina

Year(s) Listed: • 2022 • 2023 | City/Town: • Salina

The idea for the St. Johns Salina Hospital was pitched by Rev. Father Maher of the Sisters of St. Joseph who then brought the idea to other non-Catholic citizens of Salina who agreed there was a need and banded together. Because of the strong belief in the cause donations came pouring in and construction ensued …

Endangered:
Docking State Office Building

Year(s) Listed: • 2014 • 2022 | City/Town: • Topeka

Kansas State Office Building, renamed Docking State Office Building in 1987, is one of the first examples of Modern Movement architecture effectively applied to a public building in Kansas. It was also one of the earliest buildings in the region to utilize an aluminum and glass curtain wall. The building clearly expresses the ideals and …

Endangered:
SBA/Menninger Tower Building

Year(s) Listed: • 2007 • 2008 • 2022 | City/Town: • Topeka

A landmark in the western Topeka skyline, the building was constructed in 1930 to house the Securities Benefit Association Hospital. The design of the building was inspired by Independence Hall in Philadelphia and represents collaboration between a Chicago firm, Schmidt, Garden and Martin and Topeka architect Walter E. Glover. In 1961, the Menninger Foundation purchased …

Author name: ecowan