Eskridge, Kansas

While out exploring the Native Stone Scenic Byway we came across a quaint little town called Eskridge, Kansas. It is considered the "Gateway to the Flint Hills". We seen this old bank located on the main corner of downtown, it is on the National Register of Historic Buildings. It’s still in use today by the family as the Waugh Law Office.

From Eskridge, Kansas website: "Nestled in the beautiful flint hills near the head of four streams, the Dragoon, Mission Creek, Mill Creek, and Elm Creek, Eskridge is a town surrounded by a large area of rich country lands that are very valuable for all kinds of special and general farming."

Alma, Kansas

Located about 3 miles form I-70 is a cute town called Alma. This town has its own Creamery with the most amazing tasting cheese... yes they have free samples! If you are out this way I would highly suggest that you stop. It will be well worth your time. While there take a gander at the city... Daniel and I have been to this town a couple of times now. Each time I find something new to photograph and enjoy. Here is just one shot of an old building downtown.

Alma was settled in 1858 by the Swedes, the English, the Irish, and the Germans, whose heritage is still very strong. Their Teutonic names are still very prominent among many of our residents. Prior to 1858 the town had been settled by the Pottawatomie Tribe.

Konza Prairie - Kansas

While Driving out of Manhattan Kansas, we stopped off at the Konza Prairie. A very nice overlook is located right off of the 177 not far from I-70. I was able to take some great shots while there. The sun was shining and it was not to terribly hot.

The History of Konza Prairie:

Konza Prairie was founded in 1971 under the leadership of Professor Lloyd C. Hulbert of Kansas State University, after years of dedicated efforts to establish a field station for ecological research in the tallgrass prairie region. Several adjoining tracts, including the 2,923 hectare historic Dewey Ranch were purchased between 1971 and 1979. The station lands were purchased for Kansas State University by The Nature Conservancy with funds provided by Katharine Ordway. The site was originally named Konza Prairie Research Natural Area for the Kansa Indians, a Native American tribe that once inhabited the region. The large limestone ranch house and barn built in the early 1900s for the Dewey Ranch were renovated in 1996 and 2008, respectively and now serve as the station headquarters. The site was re-named Konza Prairie Biological Station in 2000. (Information from Konza Prairie Site located here)

Strong City Kansas

While we were cruising through the Flint Hills of Kansas we drove through a very small town named Strong City. A barn called out to me so we drove down a small access road so I could get a shot of it.

This information was taken from Chase County Historical Sketches: Located in Chase County, the town of Strong City originated in March 1871 when the Santa Fe Railroad was completed to the point then known as Cottonwood Station.

In February 1881, a petition was signed by a majority of citizens and presented to the legislature asking that the body officially change the name to Strong. It was approved and Cottonwood Station was renamed in honor of William Barstow (W. B.) Strong, general superintendent and later, president of the Santa Fe Railway System. In 1945 "City" was added to the name "Strong".

A six stall roundhouse employed many workers and was active from 1887 - 1938.

The original depot burned in 1902 and was replaced in 1903. In 1913, due in part to the very heavy passenger and freight traffic, a new brick depot trimmed in native cut limestone was built for a cost of $20,000. The new depot was up to date in every way and was one of the best in the Santa Fe System.

The caboose (pictured above) was donated to the city by Santa Fe in 1990.

The Stone Industry

The stone industry was the main factor in upbuilding Strong City, and such men as John Emslie, the Rettiger brothers, Pat Norton, Tweedale and Parker and L.P. Santy were employers of many men. These men began their work in Strong City with the building of the Chase County Courthouse at Cottonwood Falls in 1872.

The Charles and Barney Lantry's firm built many stone bridges for the Santa Fe and other western railroads. In the beginning it built stone-work for certain phases of railroad construction, but later they did build complete railroads, grading, laying the track, building the bridges and stations, the roundhouses and other division buildings.

The first stone-crushers Kansas ever saw were brought to the state by the Lantrys and were operated on a very large scale on Crusher Hill at Strong City. Most of the stone for masonry and road-ballast for their jobs all over the west, was taken from their quarries at Strong City.

Big stones for the Capitol of Topeka came from Strong City, each stone weighing 13,000 pounds. Stone was also used for public and private buildings in Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Iowa and Colorado.

Waterville Kansas

On one of our many road trips out and about we came across a small town called Waterville Kansas. As we entered the town we seen this hotel. The Weaver Hotel, built in 1905, is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. A bullet hole from a 1910 bank robbery can still be seen.

From the Weaver Hotel website: Travelers on the Central Branch Union Pacific Railroad in Kansas found a landmark stop in Waterville at the track-side Weaver Hotel. For decades, the Weaver was the travel, tourism and social hub of this region and of the Central Branch west of Atchison. Built in 1905, the Weaver Hotel sits directly across the street from the railroad tracks. Passengers waited for their train in the front parlor of the hotel, found lodging upstairs, ate in the dining room, and stepped across the street for performances in the Opera House. Railroad crews also stayed at the Weaver; first the workers building the railroad further west, and then the regular train crews. In the early years, drummers (traveling salesmen) arrived on the train and stayed at the Weaver Hotel. The impressive Weaver Building and “cosmopolitan” establishment was known as the “Pride of the Central Line”. The Weaver Hotel is a landmark of railroad history, and symbol of the partnership between local commerce and the transportation industry. It came into being because of the railroad and lives again as a railroad history preserved in Waterville. After sitting quietly empty for years, the Waterville Preservation Society purchased the building and set out to save a piece of the community’s history. With the help of two grants and the hard work of many concerned citizens, the Weaver Hotel has been given a new face-lift inside and out and is ready for your visit. The facility hosts 10 lodging rooms, 2 party rooms, a visitor center with gift shop, and a 4-floor elevator. The entire facility is handicapped accessible.