ecowan – Page 6 – Kansas Preservation Alliance & Abandoned Atlas Foundation

Endangered:
Colonial Fox Theatre

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

Opened in 1920 as the Colonial Theatre, this Italian Renaissance Revival Building features Beaux Arts details and is the only remaining theater in Crawford County from the `Movie Palace’ decade of the 1920’s. Prominent local builder, Asa Messenger modeled the building after a theater in Kansas City and local craftsmen produced the stone, steel and …

Endangered:
Historic Brick Sidewalks

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

Photo from Riley County Historical Museum Manhattan’s oldest neighborhoods stretch out over roughly 100 blocks and retain over 50% of their original brick sidewalks. These landscape features are roughly 120 years old. They complement and connect the area’s historic Queen Anne, Second Empire, Richardsonian Romanesque as well as Craftsman homes. Homeowners must provide maintenance for …

Endangered:
Fresh Air Baby Camp

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

Photo from https://wichitaparksfoundation.org/fabc This Progressive Era building provided a refuge for infants whose health was at risk within the existing hospital system. Community members, principally women, rallied the Wichita community to construct the building and secured local builder George Siedoff to donate the required labor. Prominent local architect Lorenz Schmidt volunteered to design the building …

Endangered:
Barnes State Bank

Year(s) Listed: • 2006 | City/Town: • Barnes

Barnes was established in 1872 and had a fine reputation for its banks. The Barnes State Bank was built in 1911 and was unfortunate enough to be robbed twice. The bank become insolvent in 1924 and the building served many other uses since that time. The Barnes State Bank building is a part of the …

Endangered:
Historic Wood Windows

Year(s) Listed: • 2006 | City/Town: • Central Kansas • Eastern Kansas • Northern Kansas • Southern Kansas • Western Kansas

This is a thematic nomination aimed at bringing attention to the nationwide problem of the loss of original wood sash windows. Many homeowners are replacing wood windows with vinyl windows under the false idea that they are more energy efficient. Due to the high quality of materials and craftsmanship, however, the original wood windows can …

Endangered:
Kenneth Smith Home

Year(s) Listed: • 2006 | City/Town: • Shawnee

Kenneth Smith was the first American golf club manufacturer. His golf clubs were coveted by heads of state and famous celebrities. Kenneth Smith acquired his stone house in 1932, but the home was actually built by one of the founding members of Shawnee, John Garrett, a stonemason. The home dates to around 1870 with additions …

Endangered:
Constitution Hall Topeka

Year(s) Listed: • 2006 | City/Town: • Topeka

Located on Kansas Avenue in downtown Topeka, the original 1855 construction of Constitution Hall is hidden behind a 20th century façade. Under construction in 1855 as a commercial building, it was turned into Constitution Hall before it was completed as the need for a meeting place for the free-state legislature was urgent. The activities and events …

Endangered:
Sedan Opera House

Year(s) Listed: • 2006 | City/Town: • Sedan

The 1904 Sedan Opera House was built on the ruins of the original 1885 Opera House which was destroyed by fire. The Opera House occupied the upper floor and the lower level was used originally for mercantile. The building has had multiple uses through time including a roller skating rink and an armory. The lower …

Endangered:
Republic Hotel/Collins Building

Year(s) Listed: • 2005 | City/Town: • Belleville

Nominated by Belleville Main Street, Inc., this 1886 brick and timber framed structure was once a bustling railroad hotel located just off the town square in downtown Belleville. Belleville has often been referred to as the Crossroads of America, as it sits at the juncture of Highways 36 and 81. The twenty-two hotel rooms on …

Endangered:
Biggs Building

Year(s) Listed: • 2005 | City/Town: • Glasco

The Biggs Buildings is a small 1-story limestone building on a prominent corner of Glasco. The façade, with its cast iron posts manufactured by Great Western in Leavenworth, appears relatively intact. However, closer examination reveals ceiling material hanging into the interior as a result of roof leaks. The limestone walls are in great need of …

Author name: ecowan