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

Location of Russell County in Kansas

Welcome to Russell County, Kansas! Did you know that this county is home to many special places that are officially recognized for their history and importance? These places are listed on something called the National Register of Historic Places. It's like a special club for buildings, sites, and objects that tell us about the past of the United States.

This list helps us keep track of all the amazing historic spots right here in Russell County. There are 20 different properties in the county that have earned a spot on this important list. By learning about them, we can understand more about how people lived, worked, and built communities long ago.

What is the National Register of Historic Places?

The National Register of Historic Places (often called the NRHP) is the official list of places in the United States that are worth saving. These places could be buildings, structures, objects, or even archaeological sites. They are chosen because they are important to the history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, or culture of a community, state, or the entire country.

When a place is added to the NRHP, it means it's recognized for its special value. This helps protect it and encourages people to learn about its story. It's a way to make sure that important parts of our past are preserved for future generations, like you!

Russell County's Historic Treasures

Russell County has a mix of historic places, from very old archaeological sites to buildings that show us what life was like in the 1800s and 1900s. Each one tells a unique part of the county's story. Let's explore some of these fascinating locations.

Ancient History: Archaeological Sites

Russell County is home to several ancient sites where archaeologists have found clues about early human life. These places are very old, showing us how people lived thousands of years ago. To protect these valuable historical clues, their exact locations are kept secret. This helps make sure they aren't disturbed and can be studied carefully by experts.

There are seven archaeological sites in Russell County listed on the National Register:

• Archeological Site Number 14RU5
• Archeological Site Number 14RU10
• Archeological Site Number 14RU313
• Archeological Site Number 14RU314
• Archeological Site Number 14RU315
• Archeological Site Number 14RU316
• Archeological Site Number 14RU324

These sites give us a peek into the very first people who lived in this area.

Historic Buildings in Russell County

Many of Russell County's historic listings are buildings that played important roles in their communities. They show us different styles of architecture and how towns grew over time.

Russell City Landmarks

The city of Russell has several buildings on the National Register:

• Banks-Waudby Building and First National Bank-Waudby Building: These two buildings, located at 719 N. Main St. and 713 N. Main St., were added to the list on December 27, 2006. They are examples of historic commercial architecture in Russell.
• Dream Theater: Found at 629 N. Main St., this theater was listed on March 8, 2006. Imagine watching movies here long ago!
• Mann House and Woelk House: These homes at 614 Oakdale and 615 Sunset were both listed on March 2, 2001. They are special because they are "Lustron" houses, which were pre-fabricated (built in a factory) metal homes made in 1949.
• Russell County Jail and Sheriff's Residence: Located at 331 N. Kansas St., this building was added to the list on February 3, 2012. It once served as the county jail and the sheriff's home.
• US Post Office-Russell: This post office at 135 W. Sixth St. has been on the list since October 17, 1989. It's where people have sent and received mail for decades.

Dorrance's Historic Spots

The town of Dorrance also has some notable buildings:

• Dorrance State Bank: At 512 Main St., this bank building was listed on August 4, 2011. Banks are often important historic buildings because they were central to a town's economy.
• Reiff Building: Located at 513 Main St., this building was added to the list on March 15, 2007.

Lucas's Unique Art

• Garden of Eden: This incredibly unique site at 2nd and Kansas Ave. in Lucas was listed on April 28, 1977. It's a folk art environment created by Samuel P. Dinsmoor, featuring concrete sculptures and a mausoleum. It's a truly one-of-a-kind place!

Paradise's Past

The town of Paradise has two listings:

• Kennedy Hotel: At 117 Third St., this historic hotel was listed on January 17, 2007. Hotels were often important gathering places in early towns.
• Paradise Water Tower: Located east of the intersection of Waldo and Main Sts., this water tower was also listed on January 17, 2007. Water towers are often landmarks that show how towns developed their infrastructure.

Why These Places Matter

These historic places in Russell County are more than just old buildings or sites. They are important links to the past, helping us understand the lives of people who came before us. By preserving them, we ensure that their stories and the lessons they teach us can continue to be shared for many years to come. Visiting these sites can be like stepping back in time and experiencing history firsthand!

Images for kids

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  The Banks-Waudby Building in Russell.

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  The Dorrance State Bank building.

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  The entrance to the historic Dream Theater in Russell.

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  The First National Bank-Waudby Building.

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  A view of the unique Garden of Eden in Lucas.

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  The Kennedy Hotel in Paradise.

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  The Mann House, a Lustron home in Russell.

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  The Paradise Water Tower.

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  The Reiff Building in Dorrance.

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  The Russell County Jail and Sheriff's Residence.

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  The US Post Office in Russell.

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  The Woelk House, another Lustron home in Russell.