ecowan – Page 7 – Kansas Preservation Alliance & Abandoned Atlas Foundation

Endangered:
Grainfield Opera House

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

This 2-story brick structure has an ornate cast iron façade manufactured by Mesker Brothers of St. Louis. The 50’X 100’ building is located at the corner of 3rd and Main. Much of the exterior maintenance and repair has been completed but the small group of community volunteers has reached the point of needing more help to …

Endangered:
Amelia Earhart Bridge

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

This 2600’ metal truss bridge spans the Missouri River at Atchison. It was built by the WPA in 1937. Sverdrup and Parcel Consulting Engineers of St. Louis designed the bridge. It was determined to be eligible for listing on the National Register in 2000. In 2003, the National Trust for Historic Preservation listed this bridge …

Endangered:
Pottawatomie County Fair Pavilion

Year(s) Listed: • 2004 | City/Town: • Onaga

The octagonal exhibition hall was built in 1921. Onaga was a thriving railroad town and the county fair was one of the most important social events of the year. When this unique structure is restored, it will contain exhibits to show our increasingly urban population what the fair meant to the farmers, ranchers, and their …

Endangered:
Caldwell Opera House

Year(s) Listed: • 2004 | City/Town: • Caldwell

Nominated by Karen Sturm and the Caldwell Historical Society. The town of Caldwell is known as the “Border Queen” being near the Oklahoma state line, it was the first Kansas town cattle drovers came to on their way north. The Opera House is now owned by the Caldwell Historical Society and their goal is to …

Endangered:
Brick Streets of Kansas

Year(s) Listed: • 2004 | City/Town: • Central Kansas • Eastern Kansas • Northern Kansas • Southern Kansas • Western Kansas

What first tells you that you have arrived in an old town more than Brick streets. In the early 20th century, there were many brick-making plants across Kansas and residents were happy to go from dirt to paved brick streets. This nomination was submitted by Von Rothenberger of Osborne where heavy equipment used to remove the …

Endangered:
KSAC Radio Tower

Year(s) Listed: • 2002 | City/Town: • Manhattan

Picture by: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:KSAC_Radio_Towers_Manhattan_Kansas.jpg#filelinks The KSAC radio towers on the Kansas State University campus are an excellent example of early radio towers built in the United States. At the time of their construction in 1924, they represented the finest available radio technology. The original towers remain intact, the only remaining towers of their type in Kansas, …

Endangered:
Ark Valley Lodge

Year(s) Listed: • 2000 | City/Town: • Wichita

Photo by Judy Handley Listed on the National, State and Local Registers of Historic Places this is an important African-American site in Kansas history. It is the only remaining building in Wichita’s early African-American business district and was reportedly designed by local African-American architect Josiah Walker. Sadly, the building is currently vacant and in disrepair. …

Endangered:
Strong City Opera House

Year(s) Listed: • 2000 | City/Town: • Strong City

Photo from Strong City Preservation Alliance One of the few true opera houses left in Kansas and the mid-west region. Unfortunately, the city has been forced to declare this structure a dangerous building and has advocated its demolition. However, recent interest in the building as a tourism destination may have encouraged the city to reconsider. …

Endangered:
Bartell House

Year(s) Listed: • 1998 • 2000 | City/Town: • Junction City

Featured Image from: https://www.homesteadks.org/bartell-pl-junction-city2.html 2000 Update: This National Register property is an 1880 hotel at the main intersection of the city. During it’s life it has been home to many famous and infamous guests and served as the social center of the community for many years. It is currently facing demolition unless funds can be …

Endangered:
Leavenworth Veterans Affairs Complex

Year(s) Listed: • 1996 • 1999 | City/Town: • Leavenworth

Photo by Vickie Bach In 1884, Leavenworth was chosen as the site for a home for disabled veterans. James McGonigle was a local builder and a veteran who had been wounded in the Civil War and also designed the Riverfront Community Center in Leavenworth. At the home for disabled soldiers, McGonigle’s firm constructed 17 buildings on 650 acres of land. …

Author name: ecowan