Under Renovation – Kansas Preservation Alliance

Endangered:
SBA/Menninger Tower Building

Year(s) Listed: • 2007 • 2008 • 2022 | City/Town: • Topeka

A landmark in the western Topeka skyline, the building was constructed in 1930 to house the Securities Benefit Association Hospital. The design of the building was inspired by Independence Hall in Philadelphia and represents collaboration between a Chicago firm, Schmidt, Garden and Martin and Topeka architect Walter E. Glover. In 1961, the Menninger Foundation purchased …

Endangered:
Whitewater Falls Stock Farm Barn

Year(s) Listed: • 2010 • 2012 | City/Town: • Towanda

This unusually large and ornate barn is threatened by deterioration, especially a leaky roof. The Whitewater Falls Stock Farm was established by Scottish immigrant, J. W. Robison and his son, James C. Robison. The barn was constructed to house a prize-winning Percheron draft horse breeding operation and, later, was used for a Hereford cattle breeding …

Endangered:
W. H. Sternberg Mansion

Year(s) Listed: • 2010 | City/Town: • Wichita

The Sternberg mansion was nominated for the Endangered Historic Places list by the present owner, Ken Elliott, because the property is threatened by deterioration. Elliott has tried to rehabilitate the ornate building on his own, but has been unable to qualify for municipal and state assistance. Constructed for his personal residence in 1886 by William …

Endangered:
Drinkwater & Schriver Mill

Year(s) Listed: • 2010 | City/Town: • Cedar Point

In 2006 the historic, almost a century and a half old mill was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Since then there has been community outcry to have this piece of history restored back to its former glory. Restoration efforts started officially in 2015 with the first order of business being removing the …

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:
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:
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. …

Current Status: Under Renovation