EXPLORING KANSAS BY RAIL Exhibit Homepage
This study examines the unique factors that influenced the development, progress, and eventual destruction of the lost community of Bigelow. This study includes fieldwork of the former town site, photographs, scholarly journals, and historical…
The authors use the oral tale of the village of Blood Creek as a starting point foe their research. Using field work, genealogical inquiry, and historic documents the authors are able to piece together the history of the Blood Creek settlement in…
Once a vibrant town, filled with hard working people who made their way west looking to start a new life, Brookville has now become a quiet, low density community. As shown in this research, we will begin to understand why and how this happened.…
Originally called Divide, the town of Colony began as a tavern and later a depot on the Leavenworth, Lawrence, and Galveston railroad. In the early twentieth century, it was known as the "Hay Capital of the World."
This paper is a study of the closure of Gypsum Rural High school in Gypsum, Saline County, Kansas, and how its closure affected the community surrounding and supporting it. The study includes census data, historical newspaper articles, and web…
The author gives a wonderful portrayal of the Hanover, Kansas area. She delves into many aspects surrounding the town and details its settlement using maps, historic documents, and interviews with residents.
Hiattville was once a booming town, its population increasing from 50 to 500 in the 1880s. Many residents left after a 1905 fire, and the post office finally closed in 1986.
Author recreates the town of Hope using historic plat maps that he used to draw the actual extent of the town.
Hoyt, Kansas, started out as a small town where farmers took cattle to transport them on the railroads back to eastern markets. Despite all of the terrible events that have plagued Hoyt throughout its history, the town is still a thriving part of…
Idana is a small community with a large heart for its church and people. In 1887, the Idana Presbyterian Church began and has remained strong ever since. The church’s centennial in 1987 brought people from Idana back home, traveling from as far as…
The town of Langley is located in Langley Township, Ellsworth County, Kansas. For many American families and Civil War veterans, Langley was the mark of a new beginning and a fresh start. The town’s economy was centered on the booming business of…
The author uses newspaper articles and historic documents to retell the history of the once bustling town of Mahaska. He also connects larger national events to the causes of Mahaska's decline.
Navarre was organized around the school, the church, and starting in 1887, the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe railroad. Fire destroyed much of the town in 1939, and it never recovered.
The tiny town of Niles, originally Arcala then Nilesville, located in the Lincoln Township of Ottawa County, Kansas was first settled by families traveling in fifteen covered wagons from Illinois. They arrived in 1866 and although not as strong as…
This report contains historical journal references, history obtained through genealogical archives, investigative local folklore, maps spanning several decades, and photos and references from the author's personal knowledge and affiliation with…
This study is of the city of Palmer, located in Washington County, Kansas, and how the entrepreneurial spirit allowed it to flourish. This industry allowed the town to thrive though all manner of trials and disasters. This study shall include maps,…
Pearl managed to survive for almost 80 years, but all that remains of the once bustling community are the old railroad tracks and the still functioning Alida Pearl Coop grain elevators. The grain towers are the first things a person sees when…
Ramona, Kansas was founded in 1887 as a stopping point on the Rock Island Railroad outside of Herington, Kansas. Ownership of the land Ramona is located on dates back to the Spanish occupation of the southern regions of North America. This study…
The author used an accumulation of fragmented information collected from local contacts and historic documents to create a comparison between the twin towns of Wilsey and Helmick, Morris County, Kansas. She used census reports, plat maps,…
This study of early Chapman and the Sanborn Lumber Yard in Dickinson County, Kansas, includes a map of the county, an interview, and photographs of the Sanborn Lumber Yard.
