National Register of Historic Places listings in Ellis County, Kansas facts for kids

Where Ellis County is located in Kansas

Have you ever wondered about old buildings or places that are super important to history? In Ellis County, Kansas, there's a special list of these places! It's called the National Register of Historic Places. This list helps protect and celebrate buildings, sites, and objects that have a big story to tell about America's past.

Think of it like a hall of fame for historic places. When a place is added to this list, it means it's recognized as being important to the history of the United States, Kansas, or even just Ellis County. It could be an old house, a church, a fort, or even a bridge!

There are 20 amazing places in Ellis County that are currently on this list. A couple of other places were once on the list but have since been removed, usually because they were changed or no longer existed. Let's explore some of these cool historic spots!

Historic Places in Ellis County

Walter P. Chrysler House

The historic Walter P. Chrysler House in Ellis.

Did you know that a famous car maker once lived in Ellis, Kansas? The Walter P. Chrysler House was the childhood home of Walter P. Chrysler, who founded the Chrysler Corporation. He was born in Wamego, Kansas, but grew up in Ellis. This house, located at 104 West 10th Street, was added to the National Register in 1972. It's a reminder of where one of America's industrial giants got his start!

Fort Hays

An old drawing of Fort Hays.

Imagine soldiers living in a fort on the frontier! Fort Hays was an important military post built in 1865. It was used to protect workers building the Kansas Pacific Railway and to keep peace with Native American tribes. Today, you can visit the Frontier Historical Park in Hays to see some of the original buildings and learn about life on the frontier. It's a fascinating look back at a time when Kansas was still wild and new. This fort was added to the National Register in 1971.

St. Fidelis Catholic Church

The impressive St. Fidelis Catholic Church, also known as the "Cathedral of the Plains."

In Victoria, you'll find a truly stunning building known as St. Fidelis Catholic Church. It's so grand that it's often called the "Cathedral of the Plains"! This huge church was built by German immigrants who settled in the area. It's famous for its beautiful architecture and large size, especially considering it was built in a small town. The church was completed in 1911 and became a National Register site in 1971. It stands as a symbol of the faith and hard work of the early settlers.

Drees House and Gallagher House

The Drees House, a unique Lustron home.

The Gallagher House, another example of a Lustron home.

In Hays, there are two very special houses called the Drees House (100 East 19th Street) and the Gallagher House (310 East 20th Street). What makes them unique? They are both "Lustron homes." Lustron homes were pre-fabricated houses made of steel, designed to be quickly built after World War II. They were known for their shiny, enamel-coated steel panels, inside and out! These houses are rare examples of a unique moment in American housing history. Both were added to the National Register in 2001.

George Grant Villa

The historic George Grant Villa near Victoria.

Near Victoria, you can find the George Grant Villa at 2680 Grants Villa Road. This villa was built by George Grant, a Scottish businessman who had a big dream. He wanted to bring Scottish cattle farmers to Kansas in the late 1800s. He built this grand home as part of his efforts to establish a new community and introduce Angus cattle to the American plains. The villa, listed in 1972, is a reminder of his ambitious plans and the early days of ranching in the area.

Papes Barn

The historic Papes Barn near Ellis.

Not all historic places are houses or churches! The Papes Barn, located near Ellis at 890 Ellis Avenue, is also on the National Register. This barn is a great example of early 20th-century farm architecture in Kansas. It shows how important farming was (and still is!) to the region's history and economy. It was added to the list in 2015, recognizing its importance to agricultural history.

Ellis Congregational Church

The Ellis Congregational Church.

The Ellis Congregational Church, located at Eighth and Washington Streets in Ellis, is another historic religious building. Built in 1899, this church features beautiful stained-glass windows and unique architectural details. It played an important role in the community life of Ellis for many years. It was recognized for its historical value and added to the National Register in 2000.

Fort Fletcher Stone Arch Bridge

The Fort Fletcher Stone Arch Bridge.

Even bridges can be historic! The Fort Fletcher Stone Arch Bridge is located about 4.8 miles south of Walker on Walker Avenue. This bridge is a surviving part of the old Fort Fletcher, which was a temporary military post established in 1865. The stone arch design is a testament to the engineering skills of the time. It was listed on the National Register in 2001, preserving a piece of the area's frontier transportation history.

Other Historic Places

Ellis County is home to many other fascinating historic places, including:

• The Justus Bissing, Jr. Historic District in Hays, a neighborhood with historic homes.
• The Brungardt-Dreiling Farmstead near Victoria, showing early farm life.
• The Chestnut Street Historic District in Hays, another area with many historic buildings.
• The First Presbyterian Church in Hays, a beautiful old church.
• The Memorial City Hall in Ellis, an important civic building.
• The Merchants Bank of Ellis, a historic bank building.
• The J.A. Mermis House in Hays, a notable historic home.
• The Phillip Hardware Store in Hays, an old business building.
• St. Joseph's Church and Parochial School in Hays, another significant religious and educational site.

These places help us remember and understand the rich history of Ellis County and the people who lived there.

Former Listings

Sometimes, a historic place might be removed from the National Register. This usually happens if the building is changed too much or is no longer standing. In Ellis County, two places were once listed but are no longer on the Register:

• The Krueger Building in Hays was removed in 2013 because it was torn down in 2012.
• The Madden Elevator in Hays was removed in 1985.

Images for kids

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  The Justus Bissing, Jr. Historic District.

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  A building in the Chestnut Street Historic District.

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  Memorial City Hall in Ellis.

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  The Merchants Bank of Ellis.

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  The J.A. Mermis House in Hays.

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  The Phillip Hardware Store in Hays.

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  St. Joseph's Church and Parochial School in Hays.

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  The First Presbyterian Church in Hays.