Washington Company House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Washington Company House |
|
|---|---|
| Washington, Kansas | |
| Type | local militia post |
| Site information | |
| Controlled by | local militia |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1860 |
| In use | 1860 to ca. 1865 |
| Materials | wood |
| Garrison information | |
| Garrison | same |
The Washington Company House was an important building built in 1860 in Washington, Kansas. It was first used as the main office for the group that started the town, called the Washington Town Company. This building was likely located where the Washington County Courthouse stands today.
The Company House was built with logs standing straight up, making its outside look like a strong fence or a "stockade." This design was important because the building was meant to protect the settlers.
Contents
What Was the Washington Company House?
The Washington Company House was a special building with many uses for the early settlers. It was built in the spring of 1860 by the Washington Town Company. This group was in charge of planning and setting up the new town of Washington.
Why Was It Built?
The main reason for building the Company House was to serve as the headquarters for the town company. It was also designed to be a safe place. The logs were placed upright, making the building look like a mini-fortress. This was a good idea because settlers sometimes needed protection from Native American groups who were in conflict with them.
How Was It Used?
The Company House was a very busy place! It served as a meeting spot for the Washington County, Kansas county commission, which was like the local government. It was also used as a public school, where children could learn. On Sundays, it even became a church for the community.
A Place for Protection
One of its most important jobs was to offer safety. If there were conflicts with Native American groups, settlers could go to the Company House for protection. Another building, Woolbert's Stockade Hotel, was also built in September 1860 for similar protection.
These buildings were most likely used for safety around 1864 or 1865. In the summer of 1864, many settlers living between Washington and Clay Center, Kansas left their homes. They found safety in Clay Center, where they made a protective circle with their wagons. This happened because some Native American groups were active in the area and there were tensions with settlers.
Help from the Military
Even though many areas were abandoned, the town of Washington itself was not left empty during this time. People living in Washington County and two other nearby counties asked the military for help. The military did not send soldiers, but they did provide guns and ammunition to the settlers for their protection.
What Happened to It?
After the worries about conflicts with Native American groups ended, probably in the late 1860s, the Washington Company House was no longer needed as a place of protection. We don't know exactly what happened to the building after that. However, an old photograph shows that it was not torn down for quite some time.
