Achilles, Kansas facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Achilles, Kansas
Ghost town
KDOT map of Rawlins County (legend)
Achilles, Kansas Location in Kansas Show map of Kansas Achilles, Kansas Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Country	United States
State	Kansas
County	Rawlins
Elevation	2,844 ft (867 m)
Population
• Total	0
Time zone	UTC-6 (CST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
Area code	785
GNIS ID	484547

Achilles (/əˈtʃɪləs/ ə-CHIL-əs) is a ghost town in Rawlins County, Kansas, United States. A ghost town is a place where most people have left, and many buildings are empty or gone. Achilles is located near Sappa Creek, about fifteen miles southeast of Atwood. It used to be a busy community, but over time, people moved away, and it became a ghost town.

The Story of Achilles

Achilles was a lively place starting in the 1870s. But its busy days ended around 1915. This happened because the railroad was built somewhere else, not through Achilles. Also, more people started using automobiles, which made it easier to travel to bigger towns. Most businesses closed by the mid-1930s.

Early Days and Events

An interesting event happened on April 24, 1875. It was called the "battle of Achilles." This was a clash between about 20 hunters and some Native Americans. It took place near a water hole about five miles south of the village.

A post office opened in Achilles in 1879. It stayed open until 1951. This post office was important for sending and receiving mail. At one point, it was connected by a stagecoach route to Colby, getting mail every day. In 1910, about 70 people lived in Achilles. It was a main trading spot for the southwest part of the county.

Businesses and Buildings

Over the years, Achilles had many different businesses. There were two general stores, including Hill General Store, and a variety store. You could also find a blacksmith shop, a barbershop, and a mechanics garage. There was even a creamery, which processed milk. All these businesses were located along Main Street.

Today, these buildings are all gone. The blacksmith shop burned down in 1922. The hardware store was moved to Atwood. It is now used as an antique shop. Many other buildings were either moved or their wood was sold. Around 1999, the last remaining part of a general store burned. This meant there were no more signs of Main Street. Now, "Main Street" is just a family garden, a crop field, or covered in weeds.

Homes and Community Spots

Only two houses were actually in Achilles. These were the Pearl (Hill) and Frank Bacon home and the Fields house. The Fields house is still there today. The Bacon home was moved away.

Off Main Street, there was a Methodist church. This church was later moved to Atwood and became a home. The Achilles one-room schoolhouse also stood off Main Street. It is still standing and is used for community events. Nearby, the Achilles Cemetery is where many of the first people who settled the area are buried.

Disappearing from Maps

In 1993, Achilles was still shown on Kansas State maps. But by 2001, it was no longer on new maps. This shows how much the town had faded away.

Geography and Weather

Achilles is located in a part of Kansas that experiences different types of weather throughout the year.

Climate in Achilles

The weather in Achilles changes with the seasons. Summers are warm, and winters can be quite cold. The area gets some rain, especially in the spring and summer months.