Government – 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:
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:
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:
Masonic Temple – Seneca

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

Nemaha County Temple of Honor UPDATE!! January 2015 Working as a team with faculty advisors, members of the Nemaha County Historical Society, and a representative from the Kansas Preservation Alliance, an interdisciplinary group of eleven Kansas State University students have recently completed a unique undergraduate research project. The students investigated the Nemaha County Temple of …

Endangered:
Ark City Office Building

Year(s) Listed: • 2012 | City/Town: • Arkansas City

This 1929 Art Deco style office building is the tallest building in downtown Arkansas City. The structure served as the commercial anchor downtown for much of the 20th century. It was a hub of activity with street-level cafes and shops and upper-level professional offices. It is listed in the National Register as a contributing resource …

Endangered:
Chouteau Trading Post, Station and Post Office Site

Year(s) Listed: • 2009 | City/Town: • Shawnee

Located at the mouth of the Kaw River, this historic site in Johnson County, Kansas, was home to the first trading post, train station stop and post office for the former Monticello Township (now Shawnee). Established in 1828 by Frederick Chouteau, the site first served as a fur trading post and ferry stop along the …

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 …

Class: Government