Director

The Grand Central Hotel was known in early days as one of the best hotels in the western part of the state. The hotel boasted 18 guest rooms and a large dining room that seated 40. There were often long lines waiting to be served in the dining room.Hotels in this area thrived because claim holders stayed in town until their claims could be improved with a "soddy" or other home. Hotels also housed the workers for the railroads along with those passing through. The Grand Central was said to have had interesting guests and grand parties in those days.According to the News Chronicle paper August 1, 1917, a fire of unknown origin broke out around 4:00 AM, gutting the two-story building. Only J.R. Jessup, manager, and a few guests were in the hotel at the time. All escaped without harm. Unfortunately, all their clothing and possessions, along with all the furniture and fixtures were destroyed. The volunteer fire department answered the alarm and managed to save the outside walls and the surrounding buildings. The hotel was condemned by the state fire inspectors a short time later.The Grand Central Hotel sat on Main Street, two doors south of the First National Bank.

Gathering in front of Grand Central Hotel

Stop #2 on the Scott City Historic Walking Tour: The Grand Central Hotel was the first hotel in Scott City. It was constructed in April of 1885 by McLain, Swan and Company, with its grand opening in December of that year. The lumber for it was hauled in from Garden City.

Grand Central Hotel

Walk the Original Plat of Scott City and conclude your tour at the El Quartelejo Museum & Jerry Thomas Gallery and Collection

Scott City Historic Walking Tour

Maria Elizabeth Simpson was born in Sligo, Ireland in 1828 or 1829. Her family moved to Peterborough County, Ontario Canada and farmed in Keene Township. As a young girl, Maria taught at the Indian Mission on Rice Lake. She married John Button DeGeer and had four daughters with him. She wrote poems and novels and was the first woman in Canada to lecture publicly for the Sons of Temperance. In 1865, her husband died so in order to support her girls she accepted an invitation to come to the States to write and lecture. She had been interested in temperance and was the first woman to lecture publicly for the "Sons of Temperance".  She was also publishing, lecturing, writing and working for Woman's Rights and Temperance, organizing Eastern Star Chapters, soliciting subscriptions for the "Mystic Star" and working for Prison Reform.  In 1874, she was one of a 150-woman delegation from churches in Chicago who carried a petition to the City Council for the closing of saloons on Sunday. (They were assaulted by a mob of 10,000 men!). The same year she was elected VP of the National Prison Reform. After a number of years lecturing, working &amp; publishing around the country, she came to Kansas. She traveled to the western part of the State with the intention of establishing a model community with no brothels and no taverns. On Sept 28, 1884, Maria along with her daughter Ida Eastman left Garden City accompanied by CJ (Buffalo)Jones in a double seated wagon and traveled north into Scott County. From her writings, she said "We had a delightful ride through the richest prairie plains that ever our eyes rested on for thirty-five miles, thirty of which no human habitation greeted the view, and over which we could have said "We are monarch of all we survey" were it not for the herds of antelope and wild horses that gaily dashed ahead, seemingly inviting us to follow. We pitched our tents in Scott County that night, sleeping on the prairie with no roof, save the canopy of heaven.” The next morning, she proved up the NE/4 of 24-18-33 and her daughter the SE/4 in the geographical center of Scott County. With their hands, they dug the four corner foundations of their 12x14' future claim houses.  They then returned to Garden City as they had 30 days to get their lumber, build their cabins and move their goods in.  In Feb, 1885, another daughter, Kate Russell joined them. The lady colonists improved their claims equally with men that came.  Many friends of theirs came from Chicago and soon "DeGeer Corner" (What is now 5th &amp; Main) was covered with tents, horses, wagons &amp; people. In July, 1885, she sold part of her land to three men (McLain, Swan &amp; Sangster-in her words-"for a trifle") with the promise that they would help build up the proposed town. Maria also published the 1st newspaper in the area "The Western Times", along with S.W. Case, an early settler.  Maria worked tirelessly to establish the town and help the coming settlers in any way she could. In Sept, 1885, Mr. Swan, Mr. Sangster, Mr. McLain and Maria formed the Scott City Town Company.  When it came time to elect officers, her dreams of Woman's rights came crashing down when some of the men of the Town Company decided they couldn't let a woman be an officer in the Town Company.  Although she stayed on in the town for a while longer, her dreams of a town with equal women rights were dashed and she “Shook the dust of Scott forever from my feet".  Her daughters stayed on in the town and donated land, were active members of the town and built several buildings which contributed to the growth of the town. Maria went on to be the 1st Woman Lawyer in Kansas! She passed the Kansas Bar Exam in Topeka and was admitted as its first woman member to the State Bar Assoc. in Jan. 1887. After leaving Kansas, Mrs. DeGeer traveled to California lecturing, remarried and finally returned to Chicago where she died Dec. 24, 1906 at the age or 78 years.  Up to the last two years of her life, she was actively engaged in philanthropic work, was well known as a writer and lecturer, and was a close friend of Susan B. Anthony and Frances Willard.

Stop #1 on the Scott City Historic Walking Tour: Welcome to “Legacy” at DeGeer Corner. This is the site of the homestead claim of Scott City Founder, Maria E. DeGeer, 1884. We honor those hardy pioneers who came before us and celebrate our town’s legacy, history, and heritage. Jerry Thomas, Artist and Sculptor DeGeer Corner Committee: Deb Lawrence, Stephanie Fisher, Jerry Thomas

"Legacy" Maria E. DeGeer Statue at DeGeer Corner

The Anthem Lodge was founded in 1886 and they build a two-story frame building. They met upstairs and rented the ground level. John Newton Greenlee came to Scott City in June of 1915 from Sterling, Kansas where he had operated a bakery and grocery business with his father. He bought the bakery at 515 S. Main from a Mr. Bowman. The Masons and Eastern Star continued meeting upstairs. John's son, Rae Greenlee, came to Scott City that July and said he felt right at home the minute he stepped off the train. In August of 1915, the remainder of the Greenlee family moved to Scott City, where they all worked in the bakery. In 1916, the business suffered from a fire, which originated in the Given's Grocery store to the south. The Greenlee's rebuilt. In 1920, after serving in France during WWI, Rae bought into the business with his father. They operated the business together until John retired. Rae bought the remainder of the share. The bakery again suffered a fire in 1929 by a fire that originated in the proof box during the early hours of the morning. It took four months to rebuild, but they stayed in the same location, this time as a one-story brick building with a larger oven and more machinery. The oven had a capacity of 400 loaves. Production ran up to 3,500 loaves per day plus a full line of pastries. Bread was 8-cents for a one-pound loaf, two for 15-cents, and a 1 1/4 pound loaf was 10-cents. Candies and roasted nuts were added on occasion. Frequently, the Greenlee's roasted meat for special events. The wholesale-retail bakery worked two shifts; a pastry shits at night and a bread shift in the day. A clerk worked in the front of the business. In the 30's, tow routes were established: an east routed that stopped at towns along the Missouri-Pacific line as far as Ransom, then south to Ness City and back to Scott City along the Santa Fe line; a west route that went as far as Horace in Greeley County with stops in between. When he retired, Rae sold the business to Cecil Arnett of Salina while retaining ownership of the building. Lyle Barber purchased the building and ran an appliance store for many years until Ray Griswold, current owner, bought the building.

Stop #3 on the Scott City Historic Walking Tour:

The original building was erected in 1886 by the Anthem Lodge.  It was a two-story frame building with a meeting room upstairs and rented space down.  

Greenlee Bakery

The Crabtree Apartments were built either by the Scott City Town Company which consisted of town founder Maria E. DeGeer, William McClain, Charles Swan, and James Sangster or by Johnson Brothers' investments. Both names show on the records in 1885-1886. Mrs. DeGeer has commented in her newspaper, the Western Times, that a rooming house was in dire need during those years to house all those who were streaming into Scott City to settle and prove up their claims. Records state R.H. Crabtree purchased the property in 1901 and it was in the family until 1961 when it was sold to Cyril Ray.It originally had 16 sleeping rooms and over 2,200 sq.ft. with a full basement. The owner's living quarters were located in the front with 4-5 apartments on the main level. The basement had 4-5 sleeping rooms plus an apartment out back. There was one bathroom on the main level and a separate men's and women's bathroom down which all renters shared.In 1978, Eugene and Geraldine Ribbing purchased the property. Geraldine managed the property after her husband died until 2007 when she sold to current owner Bernardo Cuevas.What a great piece of history that many never notice! Wouldn't you love to get a glimpse of all the people who have walked through those doors? There are many pieces of history throughout the building with some original fixtures still visible.

#4 on the Scott City Historic Walking Tour: Built in 1885 as a large rooming house, the Crabtree Apartment Building was one of the first to be constructed in the town and may be the oldest still standing today. A rooming house was an important asset to the fledgling town giving newcomers a place to stay while filing their claims.

Crabtree Aprtments

First Christian Church began with nine charter members. With no regular preacher, they struggled along as best they could. They began meeting at the Cumberland Presbyterian Church (902 S. Main, Stop #7) who generously let the Christian Church congregation meet in the afternoons. In 1891, an Evangelist J.A.L. Romig presented a series of services lasting five weeks. At the end of the services, 59 persons took membership in the Christian Church. Later in the year, he returned for another series and the church gained another 25 members. On January 3, 1892, a committee was appointed to solicit funds for the purchase of lots on which to build a church on the corner of 7th and Main Streets. Work began in October with the first service conducted the first Sunday in January 1893. Build at the cost of $3,200 by S.J. Harris, it was a fully furnished frame structure with two classrooms, a vestibule, main auditorium with a large alcove that could be closed off by wooden doors. There was a belfry with a bell and a baptistery. Previous baptismal services had been conducted in Beaver Creek eight miles north of town or at a lagoon west of town (next too Midwest Mixer, formerly Long's Repair). At one time, a wooden walk was built over the water with steps down into the water at the end. There were several years of drought, dust, and grasshoppers dwindling the population to around 700 people in town. Things began to improve enough that in 1907 the congregation was able to built a parsonage at 701 College Street. It had seven rooms, a well and a pump, and cost almost $2,000. The congregation continued to grow and in 1917 the frame church was raised and a basement build under it to add a kitchen, lavatory, classrooms and auditorium for the Sunday School Departments. As time passed and the old frame church needed replaced, the congregation felt the cost of a new church was beyond reach. They decided to build the basement first and finish the upper levels as money became available. The basement and heating plant was completed in 1932. Unfortunately, with the Dirty 30's and then WWII, the upper level wasn't completed until 1949-1950 at a cost of $100,000. A light-colored brick building of semi-Gothic architectural design with oak woodwork and individual seats was dedicated debt free on January 22, 1950. A special feature unveiled also was the "River Jordan" scene painted above the baptistery by Rosa (Mrs. Clarence) Dickhut which still remains. Also, a new brick parsonage of the same design was built at 606 Church at a cost of $26,000 and the old parsonage was sold.

Stop #5 on the Scott City Historic Walking Tour:  A Christian minister, Old Brother Towne, preached the first sermons in Scott during 1885-1886.  He traveled about the country on foot because he had no horse or other means of transportation.  The First Christian Church was the third church organized in Scott City on January 18, 1887 only eight days following becoming a third-class city.

First Christian Church

In Warrensburg, Missouri, the comforts of Joe Rittman's large home must have been hard to leave for the small prairie town of Scott City. Mr. Rittman journeyed to Scott County, found and bought a cattle ranch in the Dry Lake area then, went back to bring his family out to the prairie. The treeless, flat prairie around Scott City looked bleak to the settlers familiar with rolling hills and an abundance of maples, walnut and fruit trees. However, the prospect of new fortunes in the west appealed to many and the Rittmans were of this hearty stock. Mr. and Mrs. Rittman, their daughter, Virgie (later Mrs. Mark Baldwin), and H.I. Thiele, their foster son, arrived in Scott City in 1901. In 1911 or 1912, they had moved into a new home even finer than their home in Warrensburg. The house was built by Alfie Chamberlain by contract for about $3,200, and was one of his many fine creations in Scott City. Its most distinguishing feature was its tower room on the northwest corner. Mr. Chamberlain had to special order circular planes to finish the wood in that room. The molding required soaking and kerfing (cutting slits in the curve) to fit in the tower room. Curved glass was used in the windows. The house was fittingly called the Tower House. the lovely, large, front porch on the north and west must have been a comfortable shady place in late afternoon and evening for sitting and visiting with strolling neighbors. During the summer months, most families spent the evenings outside in the cool breeze. The home was nicely landscaped with shrubbery and trees. Inside the home, polished dark hardwood floors and woodwork accented its fine appearance. The family had lovely walnut furniture, a piano and a china breakfront - all probably shipped from Warrensburg by train. They were one of the early families to have a Victrola and proudly displayed it in the first floor of the tower. The house was lit by gas lamps. Mr. Rittman died several years after the house was built, but Mrs. Rittman continued to live there until she died in the early 20s. After Mrs. Rittman died, the Crowder family moved in. Mr. Crowder operated the Electric Cafe in Town. They probably rented the house. In the late 20s, the house was sold to Doctors Bennett and Kippenburger. It was remodeled to fit its new purpose - a hospital. The kitchen was made into an operating room and the kitchen was moved to the basement. There was a room for surgery patients on the first floor and both doctors' offices and a room for nurses to sleep in on that floor. Upstairs the large bedrooms were made into 3-4 bed wards. It was quite a task to carry meals up and down the two flights of stairs three times a day. It was used as a hospital through the 30s until the new hospital was built on north College.

Stop #6 on the Scott City Historic Walking Tour:  This unique house was originally built for Joe Rittman and his family when they moved to Scott County from Warrensburg, Missouri.  The home was built by Alfie Chamberlain at a cost of only $3,200 with over 2,900 sq. ft. on the two upper levels plus a partial basement. 

Rittman Home or The Tower House

On July 8, 1886, an article appeared in the Scott County News that said, "There is to be a congregation of Cumberland Presbyterians organized in Scott City on the third Sabbath of this month. All Christians desiring to go into such an organization are earnestly requested to be present. Services will commence at 10:30 a.m., J.C. Moore, Pastor." By the end of the month, the newspaper read that the Church had organized with 18 members. The Elders were: S.W.Case, B.F. Wells, G.B. McElwain, C.S. Hockaday. Deacons: W.D. Bourne, A.L. Stearne. The Church began meeting the first and third Sabbath oft he month in Case's Hall. The second pastor was Reverend Moore, a Civil War Veteran from Kentucky. The Church continued to grow and brow ground at this site in October 1887. The building was a brick structure, 32'x50' at cost $3,000. Mr. Zerby was the contractor and had the brick made in a kiln southeast of town on the Manker and Bourned land. Under the cornerstone of the Church was buried a copy of the bible and copies of the church history. The Church was used for the first time in July 1888. The Scott City News stated, "The Church has opera chairs, stained glass windows, and sloping floors, good if high hats come in style again. There is a fine chandelier suspended in the building. Jeweler O.D. Johnson presented the Church with a handsome clock. As soon as the church is out of debt, it will be dedicated." The Church was also the meeting place of several other congregations until they could build their own and was the location of the commencement exercises of the first class to graduate from Scott County High School.

Stop #7 of the Scott City Historical Walking Tour:  In 1885, the founders of the Scott City Town Company offered church free lots if they wanted to build.  The Cumberland Presbyterian being on of two that started from the beginning.

Cumberland Presbyterian Church

This account written by Bonnie Bailey Vaughan appears in the History of Early Scott County "Livengood's was a good example of an old fashioned general store. At the left as you entered the front door was a narrow mirror on a marble stand for women to use in trying on hats and cloaks. at the right were a few chairs and a few rather dog-eared books for children, which I read over and over again while waiting for Reggie to hitch up the horse and come along to take us home. Those chairs were provided, no doubt, for their customers, tired wives of farmers, women with babies and small children, so they could rest while they waited for their men folks. Farther back on the right aisle were dress goods, calico, percale, lawn, linings for winter dresses, dark winter dress goods, etc. Nearby in a showcase were thread, trimmings, etc. Glossy stiffly starched sunbonnets were hung on nails on the wall above the shelves. A big coffee mill, turned by hand, ground the coffee, which was always sold in the whole bean. Other things sold in the store were ginger snaps, canned corn, tomatoes, peas and salmon. Dried navy and lima beans were sold. Dried apples, apricots, prunes and other dried fruits were in glass containers on a rack. At the very back of the store was a large round stove around which the farmers and town men in general congregated and visited. A bucket of water with a tin dipper in in sat on a small shelf by the back door. There was also a bookkeeper's high table and stool close to a window that let in a little light. Along the south wall at the back of the store were men's and boys' work clothes. I remember seeing galvanized pails and shiny Black coal scuttles hanging on the walls along with the coal-oil lanterns. Coal-oil lamps and their glass chimneys were on shelves. Granulated sugar, rice, etc. were kept in tilting bins. Sacks of flour were piled high. Rope of various sizes was kept in the cellar. The ends of the different sizes were brought up through holes in the floor. A knot was tied in the end of the rope to keep it from falling back into the cellar. In the cellar was kept a supply of apples and potatoes as well as coal-oil and gasoline for stoves and lamps. People would bring a can, usually with a small potato stuck on the spout to prevent evaporation. The Potter family which came from the cheese-making section of New York, had many milk cows. Since they lived many miles from town, they made cheese instead of butter. The store accumulated some 1,000 pounds of this delicious, pale cheese which it shipped to a wholesaler in the East. Mr. Will Lamb of Wichita tells of the great amounts of butter the store bought to help the settlers. Finally, when a man brought in some with the remark that the next week he would have much more, Mr. Livengood told him to keep it home and he would pay him for it. He indignantly asked if his wife's butter wasn't good. He was assured it was, but the cellar was full of butter and there was not market for it. The storekeeper said he would be better off to buy it and not have it, then to buy it, and store it until it was rancid. Livengood's store helped many a homesteader to stay on and save his claim. Some were able to pay their grocery bills later - but many did not." In 1899, G.W. Liven good purchased 5 lots of the Original town on Main Street and built a new store. In 1918, the business was sold to S.E. Bear and T.R. Wimberly. Phil Whiteman ran Whiteman's Grocery when he purchased the business in 1936. He built a new building in 1950 on the south side of the original Livengood store. (Mike Lebbin, current owner, found an old ledger with type receipts from 1925 for all types of food sold from Ness City, Arnold, Dighton, Leoti, and Garden City, and other surrounding towns, which were delivered along the railroad.) Don Whiteman ran the store after his father's death. In 1971, Gerald Braun purchased the business and hired Denny Kuhn to run it for him. Denny purchased the business in 1972 and ran it at the site until he built the new store at 1314 Main Street in 1978. Denny said that later there was also a car/gift store in the building as well as an indoor miniature golf course. Don Eikenberry purchased the building in 1997 and opened Scott City Auto Parts which later became NAPA Auto Parts. Scott City Automotive LLC purchased the business in 2012 and continues operation today.

Stop #8 on the Scott City Historic Walking Tour:  In May 1887, J.C. and G.W. Livengood of Elklick, Pennsylvania visited friends in Scott City and decided to open a mercantile store.  They traveled to Chicago and purchased $8,000 worth of stock and opened their mammoth store on October 6, 1887 on the west side of Main Street in Scott City.

Livengood & Company

E.E. Nichols built his massive dry goods store in 1900 at 408 Main Street. It was over 6,000 sq. ft. with a partial basement and an upper balcony area. He came to Scott County with the first settlers. While dry goods and groceries made up the principal lines of his store, he also handled clothing, hardware, coal, flour and feed and an entire line of State school textbooks. Sometime between 1910-1915, O.W. McDaniel started the McDaniel Auto Company at the site and was later joined in the business by Cliff Dickhut. In 1918, he sold it to Cliff Dickutt and it became Dickhut Auto Garage. A newspaper clipping from February 1915 said, "McDaniel &amp; Dickhut received a car load of Buicks Saturday and they are already sold." There used to be a ramp in the back of the building where they would drive the new cars down into the basement and hide them until it was time to introduce the newest model. The front of the building had a circle drive with 2 gasoline pumps. William and Zella Carpenter owned the building after Dickhut. It was later the site of the Scott City Motor Supply. In 1971, the Lewis family started DecMart Furniture Store and they purchased the building from the Carpenters in 1981. This building gives the air of a more modern business and hides that it was built in 1900. It still has the original tin ceilings (which are gorgeous) and even the old elevator in the back; although it no longer works, it is still perfectly preserved! Bill Lewis continues to run his furniture business today and has kept the building in excellent condition. At 117+ years old, it is another amazing piece of Scott City history.

Stop #9 on the Scott City Historic Walking Tour:  E.E. Nichols built his massive dry goods store in 1900 at 408 Main Street. It was over 6,000 sq. ft. with a partial basement and an upper balcony area. This building became the McDaniel Auto Company in the early 1910s before being sold to Cliff Dickhut and renamed Dickhut Auto Garage.  A true treasure, many of the historic elements still exist in DecMart Furniture including a 1900s elevator.


Nichol's Dry Goods/The Red Front Store

One of the first functions of the Scott City Town Company after it organized in 1885 was to donate Block 15 of the Original Town for school purposes. This site had been used as the first cemetery, so the bodies were exhumed and moved to the present cemetery southwest of town.In 1887, School District #1 was established. A 9-month school session was maintained with 2 teachers. It is not known where the first school was held but the Early History of Scott County states that by January 1888, enrollment has rapidly increased which required the construction of a new 2 story brick building at the designated block in 1890. Another teacher was also hired. This teacher was the first to receive a salary of $100 per month. That was an amazing starting wage for a teacher. City teachers typically were paid better than their rural counterparts who were paid a wage of only $15 per month. The building consisted of 4 large rooms, 3 of which were used for the grade school. In 1901, the residents of Scott City petitioned the County Commissioners to organize a high school. Once passed, the high school classes were held in the vacant 4th room of the School building. There was only one course of study taught by one teacher. The 1st graduating class of 1905 consisted of 3 young men. By 1908, enrollment had increased so much that a new Grade School was constructed at 704 College, the site of the present School Administration Building. The old Grade School was then turned over to the high school. With increasing numbers, it was added onto in 1920 and again in 1926. In the late 1920's the county bought the property at 725 Main Street. This site had originally been owned by the Reverend Mott of the Friends Quaker Church, who had dug a basement and began building the Friends School Academy. The Reverend had built a large church to the north of the site which was later sold to the Methodists and was building an Academy when hard times hit. The Academy was never completed. High School classes met in the Original School until 1930 when the new high school was completed at 712 Main for $125,000.00.At one time, there were over 40 school districts in Scott County. Currently, USD #466 county schools consist of the Scott City Elementary School at 410 E. 8th Street, the Scott City Middle School at 809 W. 9th Street, and the Scott Community High School at 712 S. Main Street.

Stop #10 on the Scott City Historic Walking Tour:  The Original School.  One of the first functions of the Town Company of Scott City after it organized in 1885 was to donate Block 15 of the Original Town for school purposes. In 1887 School District #1 was established. A nine month school was maintained in a two story building (later moved and razed) which stood at 113 W. 5th Street.  

Original School

Locating the original building was a feat, but a newspaper article gave the clue: it was across the street from “The Traders Bank.” A record showing Traders Bank on the west side of the 200 block of Main Street on Lots 6 and 7, Block 12 in the Original town. When looking at the records for across the street, the Deed from the Scott City Company to the Women’s Christian Temperance Union.On December 6, 1886, The Scott City Company deeded the WCTU Lot 9 in Block 13 of the Original Town. According to records, the organization built a two-story 24x64' frame building and leased the ground level out to the County for $25.00 per month. This was the site of the County Offices from 1886-1887, until the first court house was built in the Court House Square. The second floor was a reading room and library and was used for the first term of school. This is amazing, as it is well before the Scott County Library was established in 1923 and shows Maria's love of learning and education. We have learned a lot about the W.C.T.U. through old newspaper finds. One article shows that the W.C.T.U. reading room received a donation of rare papers and books from Susan B. Anthony! Unfortunately, it's unknown where these are now. We can only guess at what their value would be today!The organization was active for many years. According to an article on April 10, 1910, "An interesting smashing was held in front of the court house Wednesday morning when about 20 quarts of whiskey were turned over to some ladies, and the whiskey and broken bottles flew for a while." Records showed 16 members still active in 1935.The building was sold to WC Edwards in October, 1888, then Theo Magil in 1902, at which time it was referred to as "Magill Hall". That same year, Linc Newsom started the first telephone company in the area. His offices were located in the upper level of "Magill Hall". The Newsom family bought the property in 1903, made some changes to the building and it became their home and offices. The property changed hands several more times until 1925, when "The Consolidated Telephone Company purchased it, then "The United Telephone Company" in 1925.The building was used for a short time by Dr. Palmer for his home and office but it must of been in bad shape as it was torn down in the early 1930's. The First Christian Church at 701 Main Street was in the process of building a larger church, so the lumber of the old W.C.T.U. building was used.

Stop #11 on the Scott City Historic Walking Tour: The Women's Christian Temperance Union was the first women’s' organization in our town. Our town founder, Maria DeGeer, was active in organizing the chapter. Officers were: Mrs. M.L. Parsons, President; Mrs. Mary E. Clark, Secretary; and Ida Eastman (Maria's daughter), Treasurer. It was founded early in 1886 and was successful in preventing any saloons from being established in Scott County through prohibition. Maria and two of her daughters went back to Chicago, but frequently visited to encourage the women in their work.

Women's Christian Temperance Union, 1886

Many people remember the Cretcher or Costello Building in recent years as the "Orange Building". Happily, it is restored as a gorgeous Centennial once again on Main Street! The original Cretcher buildings are most likely from the 1890's.Cretcher Lumber Company was founded in 1904 by the late L.W. Cretcher. The original building was a small wooden structure on the same site. In 1923, he built the existing massive building. It contains 2,000 sq ft on the main level and 2,000 sq ft on the upper level plus a partial basement!Mr. Cretcher generously allowed the Scott County Civic Club two rooms on the second floor of the building for a public library. He painted the rooms, furnished a stove, shelves, cupboards, lights, and free rent. In September of 1923, the library became the first free public library in Kansas by State Statute.Mr. Cretcher ran the business until 1934. At that time, the business was purchased by C.L. Costello, who had been associated with Mr. Cretcher for several years. Mr. Costello assured the public at that time that his ownership would follow the same policy of fair-dealing which made Cretcher Lumber Company famous.It has housed the telephone company, the public library, many businesses, apartments, a Teen Center, a Dance Studio, and until recently, was only used for storage. Tonni and Skip Numrich purchased the building in 2013 and set about restoring it. Tonni has her Furniture/Home Improvement business, "Panache," in the building and it is awesome! The definition of restore is "To bring back from a state of ruin or decay. To give or bring back, as that which has been lost, or taken away, to replace." Tonni has certainly accomplished that with all the love and labor she has poured into the building! Mr. Cretcher would be pleased.

Stop #12 on the Scott City Historic Walking Tour: Originally built for the Cretcher Lumber Company in the 1920's this building sits on the South end of the block from the old National Hotel/Robinson Inn/Chaparral. It is a wonderful, massive, well built building with 2,000 sq. ft on the main level, 2,000 sq. ft. upstairs and a partial basement. It has been used for apartments, businesses, a Teen-Center, Dance Studio, and in recent years, storage. 

Cretcher Lumber Building

The last old hotel to be built in the 1800's is the only one still standing. Built in 1894, the original building is the north 3rd of the existing building and had a bakery built onto the back. Hotels and Livery Stables were some of the first buildings constructed when the town was started. The pioneers stayed in the town until they could get their claims proved up and their sod homes built. Most of the hotels had a restaurant inside the hotel, which was the case in the National Hotel.The hotel has had many names through the years including: the National Hotel, the Hammond House, the Robinson Motor Inn, and the Chaparral Inn. It is currently known as the Broiler. Great piece of history still on our Main Street!

Stop #13 on the Scott City Historic Walking Tour: The National Hotel was the last hotel to be built in the 1800s and is the last one still standing.   It was also one of two hotels in the town between 1886-1912.  The National was built near the railroad line to accommodate new settlers and guests.

National Hotel

Originally built under the name of Scott City, Gulf and Northern Railroad, it reportedly cost $1,325,000.00 for the 53 miles of track and the depots along the route. Plans were for it to go to Goodland but, unfortunately, that never happened. It ran beginning in 1911 but became insolvent at the beginning in 1913. From then to 1917 it became known as the Colorado, Kansas and Oklahoma Company (CK&amp;O) Railroad.The little train shuttled between Scott City and Winona daily, except Sunday. It could only maintain a speed of 17-20 MPH, so that it could let people off and pick them up on the return trip. On many Sundays, they would run a "picnic train" to the scenic areas on Beaver Creek north of town. It was a favorite pastime to pack a lunch and spend the day at what would later become the state park. The train ran 50 miles to Winona, with 10 stops along the way. It was a standard gauge track of 70 lbs. of steel. It included 3 locomotives, 3 passenger cars, 2 baggage cars and 12 freight cars.Unfortunately, several things happened to cause the downfall of the line. The drought, the scourge of the High Plains, and with the coming of the "Tin Lizzy,” it became easier for people to use their own cars.  The train fell into bankruptcy. The last scheduled run was completed about Nov. 1, 1917. There are two stories about what happened to it. One version says the property was sold on December 21, 1917 to Joseph Hyman of Chicago for $316,000. He bought it to junk for steel, which was badly needed for the war effort. The other story is that it was sold and shipped to Shanghai, China where it was used in railway construction. Either way, the remains of Old Betsy (1 of the locomotives) reposed on the prairie near the south entrance into the State park until WWII when it was turned into scrap metal for the Allied cause. Times were changing. Whereas before, nearly everything people ate or drank, the fuel that was burned, the materials to build with had come in on the railroad. Now motorized cars changed the way of life throughout the country. After the railroad was disbanded and all the tracks were pulled up, the old railroad route became the highway going into the park through Devils Backbone. The Railroad only lasted 6 years but was a wonderful addition of convenience and pleasure for the settlers!

Stop #14 on the Scott City Historic Walking Tour:  Most people don't realize the CK&O Railroad existed and it is a great piece of Scott City's history. The original main Depot still stands at 410 West Bellevue. Unlike the other railroads that were built in Scott City, the CK&O was directly responsible for making the "cut" through the “Devil’s Backbone” into what is now Historic Lake Scott State Park.

Colorado, Kansas and Oklahoma Company, CK&O Railroad

Court house records show the lots for the Hotel Northern were owned by Ida Eastman in 1886. Ida is the daughter of town founder, Maria DeGeer. It is assumed Ida had the hotel built. Other records show J.E. Van Voorhis purchased it in 1887 and it again resold to Fredrick Strickert in 1902.History is often times illusive as is true with this hotel. One account says it burned in 1912 and another said it burned between 1914-1915. Either way, it met the same fate as the Grand Central Hotel on the 700 block of Main Street; FIRE, the great menace of the prairie towns.The north end of the block where the hotel sat shows a succession of 13 owners until Wheatland Electric purchased it in 1955.

Stop #15 on the Scott City Historic Walking Tour:  The Hotel Northern-Also known as the Northern and the Grand Northern Hotel sat at the corner of 101 Main Street, the site of Wheatland Electric today. Built in 1886, it was a grand two story frame building with a stable to the south of it. 

Hotel Northern

By January 1886, the population of Scott City had grown to 700 and there were 3 banks. Johnson Brothers organized a bank and was the pioneer banking house in the county. The Scott County Bank was incorporated the same year by Conklin, Larned, Hunt, Parsons and Jarvis with a capital of $50,000. The Traders Bank was organized by Frank Miller and friends.  More banks would follow in the years to come and these three banks would sell, change names, some fail and eventually close, but it was these three that started the business of banking in Scott City.The Scott County Bank was just south of Main and DeGeer (5th and Main) on the West side of the Street but it was unknown where the Traders Bank was located. This biggest clue came in a newspaper clipping that stated that Traders Bank was across the street from the Women’s Christian Temperance Union! Records show Frank Miller owned the property directly across from the W.C.T.U. These banks are so old, only drawings exist, except for a few street scenes showing the banks.

Stop #16 on the Scott City Historic Walking Tour:  The charter of the Scott City Town Company was filed in September 1885.  The history book says more than 50 buildings were erected during the first 90 days of the town's existence.  Many of those were businesses.  And, of those many were land offices and/or banks.

Trader's Bank

Scott County's first Courthouse was housed in the Women's Christian Temperance Union building at 210 S. Main Street (Stop #11 on the Scott City Historic Walking Tour). The W.C.T.U. rented the ground level to the county for $25 a month until a new two-story frame building was built on the courthouse square in 1888. It stood northeast of where the current courthouse stands today.The land where the present courthouse stands was purchased on July 15, 1885 for $200 by Ida L. Eastman, Maria DeGeer's daughter, from the U.S. Government. A few days later, that land was then sold to the Scott City Company for $4,000. The Company dedicated block 22 of their original plat to the public as a courthouse square on September 18, 1885. The first courthouse was located on the NE corner in 1888.During a Commissioners' meeting on July 7, 1924, a petition signed by 814 legal voters of Scott County was approved, calling for the erecting of a courthouse to be built in the county sear to a cost not to exceed $100,000. Bids were to be filed by August 12, 1924. A general contract was approved from Henderson and Riggs of Larned, Kansas to build, equip and furnish the present day Scott County Courthouse for $67,250.The cornerstone was laid on November 11, 1924. A newspaper clipping from July 1925 read the following: “The old County Court House goes up for bid this week. Many tears will be shed. Not in grief for the edifice itself, but for the many memories. Particularly the jurymen who have laid on the floor, benches or what not night after night while their fellow colleagues argued with some stubborn fellow in an effort to get a verdict. Most of the offices will be moved into the new Court House by the end of this month.” Over the years, the Scott County Courthouse has housed the library, sheriff’s offices, extension office, and county welfare offices in addition to the judicial offices, county clerks, treasurer, appraisers, and county attorney office. It has undergone many renovations with the most recent restoration adding handicap accessibility.

Stop #17 on the Scott City Historic Walking Tour:  The Town Company of Scott City was organized and incorporated on September 11, 1885.  At that time Mrs. DeGeer, Mr. McLain, Mr. Swan & Mr. Sangster formed a town company.  They each donated a block for 4 separate parks; one of which was Courthouse Square where the Courthouse now stands.

Scott County Courthouse

Ed and Frank were merely teenagers but they accepted their father's offer and went to work. Things were financially slow and about six months later, Ed withdrew and went to Twin Falls, Idaho. JW told Frank if he would stay, he would make him a 50/50 partner. Frank accepted and by 1908 with the business going well, they decided they would like a bigger and better store. They approached a couple of young and up-coming new carpenters, Alpha and Clarence Chamberlain, about building them a new store at 514 Main (the site of JB Beaver Advertising today).In 1914, business was good so they purchased the lot at 401 Main Street for $2,000 andnd in 1915-1916 built the large 2 story brick building, which still stands today. JW retired in 1917. Frank formed a partnership with Phil Whiteman and Earl Van Antwerp and the store was renamed the R-V-W Store. It continued in business until 1936. By 1938, Frank was the sole owner and decided to close the business out. The stock was put up for sale and the business closed.Duckwalls was then at the site for many years, followed by the J.M. McDonald Co.In 1992 the building was deeded from the Roark family to the City of Scott City. Mark a Suzanne McCandless were running the Scott City Pharmacy in the old Timmerman Building and needed more space for a new business venture, "The Brotherhood Bookstore," so they rented the building.They later sold the Scott City Pharmacy to Jon and Gena Brunswig. The Brunswigs purchased the building from the City in 2005 and ran the Pharmacy there until they built a new building on the south end of town. The Brunswigs continue to run an upscale gift store in the old Roark building called "Giftologists" and have remodeled the building. Be sure to peak inside and see the original tin ceilings and some of the original windows and brick. It sure doesn’t look over 100 years old.

Stop #18 on the Scott City Historic Walking Tour:  In 1902, W. Meisenheimer sold his 2 story brick building (where 1st National now sits). to R.B. Christy and sold the contents and fixtures of his mercantile store to J.W. Roark and his son R.P. Roark. The Roarks relocated their new store in the back of the building in a frame addition. They operated the store for about three years at which time things were getting pretty rough financially, so they approached R.P. Roark’s father-in-law, Dr George Finkenbinder and his son Walter, to buy the hardware section. The sale was made for the hardware stock for $2,000.00 and R.P. Roark stayed with the hardware business. J.W., needing some help in the mercantile business suggested to his 2 younger sons that if they would work the store and help get the finances in better shape, he would make them 50/50 partners.

Roark Building

The largest barn was the Pioneer Livery Barn and it was located on the 400 Block of Court Street. It was built in 1887 by Bob Neighbor and later run by Chancy Harris and John Hale. It covered a huge area and included box stalls, a vast loft and an old office.With the coming of the auto, the livery stable business was obliterated and for its last years, it was used only as a feeding stable for stock on its way to market. Since its usefulness was over, the last owner, Col. A.H. Johnson, decided to tear it down. He used the old lumber to build houses. The Colonel had visions of a valuable residential district that would be close to the Court House. He used the thousands of feet of perfectly good lumber to erect six modern homes in 1925. The houses were known as the Johnson Bungalows and still face the Court House today as the Colonel envisioned.

Stop #19 on the Scott City Historic Walking Tour:  Early day Livery Stables or barns were one of the most important structures in a town and one of the first buildings to be erected. They not only housed the animals, they had several other thriving businesses within the stable. The Blue Front Livery & Stable and the Star Livery Stables were early day livery stables in Scott. 

Pioneer Sale Barn

In 1905, having again outgrown his store, Mr. Timmerman built the massive two-story brick building at 419 Main, that was a major landmark for 107 years. This building also being the first brick building in the town and built with bricks from the Scott City Brick Company. Originally built for his furniture business and "The City Drug Store" it was also a local undertaking parlor. Mr. Timmerman was a busy gentleman. The building has also been known as the "Marshall" building as it housed the Van Antwerp Marshall Department Store which became Marshall’s in the last 30s. Mr. Marshal devoted the entire store as a ladies’ department store and was recognized for its continuous operation of 45 years. Many other businesses and offices have called it home including dentist, law offices, food market, and a butcher shop. The building succumbed to an electrical fire in September of 2015, yet some of the original bricks and façade remain of this historic Scott City building.

Stop #20 on the Scott City Historic Walking Tour:  A.B. Timmerman studied pharmacy and medicine under his father Dr. J.D. Timmerman of Liepsic, Ohio from the time he was a mere boy. In 1889 he purchased the City Drug store in Scott City. He set about doubling the size of both the building and stock and added a soda fountain. He also ran a successful furniture business in the same building. 

Timmerman Building

The Meisenheimer Building housed a grocery department plus sold dry goods, shoes, hats, and clothing. The building also had a 25x70' frame hardware building on back to the west, which had all types of hardware plus stock feed.  In 1902, A.S. Christy and his son, R.B. Christy, completed financing and incorporating the First National Bank. Later that year they purchased the Meisenheimer Building which had housed 1st State Bank which was unable to open due to insufficient capital under prior ownership. It was a very large impressive building made with locally made bricks. Although unknown what happened to the building, later the Electric Cafe was built on the site. It was later known as the Wallace Cafe, the City Café, and the Sparks Cafe.  Skip Numrich, recent Bank President, can remember the Cafe burning down when he was a child. First National Bank built the existing building in 1962.

Stop #21 on the Scott City Historic Walking Tour:  In 1887, at the corner of Main & DeGeer (now known as Main & 5th Street), W. Meisenheimer built a 25x80' two story brick building for his Mercantile business. The brick for the building was made at the kiln immediately southeast of town. 

Meisenheimer Building

The theme of the El Quartelejo Museum is a developing story line, one which traces the history of this region of western Kansas through the stories told by the fossil discoveries from the Ancient Inland Sea, early Indian scenes and artifacts including a replica and history of El Quartelejo Pueblo1, a replica and history of the Battle at Punished Woman's Fork2, to present day Scott County information. Visitors can choose to either follow the story line, or simply browse in areas which are of interest to them. Separate displays are set up in several different rooms, and rotating exhibits change often. The Jerry Thomas Gallery and Collection, opened in 2010, features Jerry's nationally known artwork paired with amazing artifacts. The Gallery and Collection contains wildlife, western heritage, Native American, and U.S. Cavalry art with artifacts from Native Americans, Battle of Little Big Horn, Civil War, Cowboy Trails, and Battle of Punished Woman's Fork. 15 new Masterworks along with National Treasures will be unveiled in June 2021.

El Quartelejo is the name given to the archaeological remains of the northernmost Indian pueblo and the only known pueblo in Kansas.

The museum focuses on the entire history of western Kansas through the stories told by the fossil discoveries on exhibit to present day Scott County information. Two distinct areas of the museum house local Indian and Pioneer History, while a third room has antique farm machinery, along with horse-drawn buggies from the early 1900s. A major addendum to the facility occurred in 2010: The Jerry Thomas Gallery and Collection, containing the work of nationally recognized Wildlife and Western Artist, Jerry Thomas.

Scott City Historic Walking Tour

Grand Central Hotel

Introduction

Images

Backstory and Context

Sources