Abandoned – Kansas Preservation Alliance & Abandoned Atlas Foundation

Endangered:
Boulevard Plaza

Year(s) Listed: • 2025 | City/Town: • Wichita

Boulevard Plaza opened in 1951 as a vibrant shopping destination in Wichita, Kansas. Developed by J.W. and R.W. Womer and designed by architect S.S. Platt, the center hosted a grand opening that drew thousands. Its diverse lineup of businesses included grocers, pharmacies, beauty salons, camera shops, and even a Medical Arts Center. It quickly became …

Endangered:
J. B. Cook Mansion

Year(s) Listed: • 2025 | City/Town: • Chetopa

Jeremiah Brown Cook (1834–1921), a Civil War cavalry commander, became a successful real estate businessman in Chetopa, Kansas. In 1886, he began building a grand brick home, which cost around $10,000 (equivalent to $335,000 today). Though its architectural style is debated (Italianate or Second Empire), it became a local landmark. Cook retired in his 50s, …

Endangered:
Home State Bank – Longton

Year(s) Listed: • 2025 | City/Town: • Longton

October of 1917, the plans for this building were finally coming to fruition when the Home National Bank purchased the lot on Gates Corner at 5th and Main Street. A contract was let to Harry Duckworth for the erection of a one-story 22 x 54-foot brick bank building. Materials were shipped and work was expected …

Endangered:
Girl Scout Little House –

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

In July 1872, the Church of the Epiphany initially planned to rent City Hall for services but canceled the contract due to financial constraints. They began building a small chapel on August 26th 1872, 20 feet by 40 feet in size. Over the following year, as funds were raised, the congregation met in various public …

Endangered:
Stafford Santa Fe Depot

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

Photo Credit to https://kimscountyline.blogspot.com/2016/11/is-sun-setting-on-stafford-depot.html Built in 1911, the Stafford Depot is a historic ATSF train depot located in Stafford, Kansas. While many passenger depots have been abandoned in these smaller towns, some have found new life as museums or even residential homes. This is the hope for the Stafford Depot, but time is running out. The Historic Preservation Alliance, Inc. …

Endangered:
Elmdale City Hall

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

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) provided the labor for the construction of the now-former city hall in Elmdale. As of 2023 the building appears to be abandoned. According to a historical marker, the city hall was built between 1936 and 1937 and funded jointly with the city of Elmdale providing $1,500 and the “Federal Government” …

Endangered:
Nick Chiles Buildings

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

These three Topeka buildings were owned by Nick Chiles, an African American entrepreneur, political and civil rights activist, and editor who moved to Topeka in 1886. Chiles founded, edited, and published the Topeka Plaindealer, which had the largest circulation of any Black newspaper west of the Mississippi River, from 1899 until he died at age 61 in …

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 …

Current Status: Abandoned