ecowan – Page 2 – Kansas Preservation Alliance & Abandoned Atlas Foundation

Endangered:
Pospishil Building

Year(s) Listed: • 2024 | City/Town: • Luray

The was the first native stone building in Luray, KS, was constructed in 1898-99 using limestone blocks from the Pospishil farm. This two-story building with a full basement measures approximately 100′ by 50′. Its Italianate design features a Mesker Brothers Iron Works storefront with classic elements like double-rosettes and fleur-de-lis, and a self-supporting awning. Historic …

Endangered:
Doctor WB Jones Home

Year(s) Listed: • 2024 | City/Town: • Florence

PHOTO BY MIKE SPIVEY The abandoned homestead of Doctor W.B. Jones, located in a remote area, features a stone engraved above a window with “Doctor W.B. Jones 1878.” Dr. William B. Jones, born on May 5, 1836, in Kentucky, pursued a medical degree in St. Louis, Missouri, graduating in 1879 at 43 years old. The …

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:
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 …

Author name: ecowan