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| Add Photo — Add Link — Add Commentary — Correct this page — Print | | Ellis in Ellis County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains) |
The Ellis House
"All Kansas Pacific Trains Take Meals at the Ellis House"
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By William Fischer, Jr., February 19, 2012 | |
| | | 1. The Ellis House Marker | | |
Inscription.
Built in 1872 of native limestone from a quarry 2 miles east of Ellis, The Ellis House was the scene of colorful functions and dances drawing people from a radius of up to 100 miles. Centrally located halfway between Kansas City and Denver, it was an oasis of civilization on the great Kansas frontier. Managed by John Edwards, it gave early settlers and travelers a place of comfort with carpeting, fine furnishings, walnut staircase, and grand piano. The spacious dining room also served as a church, dance hall and meeting room. In the mid 1870's a fire damaged the upper floor and it's gable roof was rebuilt with a mansard style roof allowing for a doubling of the room capacity to 36 rooms.
After changing management nearly a dozen times, it was closed for good in the fall of 1933. With the advent of dining and sleeping cars as a part of the modernization of rail travel the hotel had outlived it's [sic] usefulness. It was put up for salvage by the Union Pacific Railroad to be sold by private bid. In April of 1935 it was sold to C.F. Erbert for the purchase price of $460.00 for all buildings and furnishings, with the requirement that all buildings be town down and removed from the railroad property. Local groups tried to save it for use as a museum or community center but were not successful. The foundation can still be | | | | 
By William Fischer, Jr., February 19, 2012 | |
| | | 2. The Ellis House Marker | | On left. Looking north toward 9th Street | | |
seen approximately 300 feet west of this marker.
Location. 38° 56.29′ N, 99° 33.662′ W. Marker is in Ellis, Kansas, in Ellis County. Marker is on 9th Street near Washington Street, on the left when traveling west. Click for map. Marker is in the park north of the railroad tracks. Marker is in this post office area: Ellis KS 67637, United States of America.
Other nearby markers. At least 7 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Ellis' Original Main Street (here, next to this marker); Settlers from Bukovina, Austria (a few steps from this marker); War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); The Hickey Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Praying John Horrigan (within shouting distance of this marker); The Grand Army Hall (about 400 feet away, in a direct line); History of The Walter P. Chrysler Boyhood Home (about 600 feet away).
Also see . . . Ellis Railroad Museum, Ellis, Kansas. (Submitted on September 4, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Fort Scott, Kansas.)
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By Unknown, circa 1872 | |
| | | 3. The Ellis House Photo on Marker | | |
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By Unknown, circa post/fire | |
| | | 4. The Ellis House Photo on Marker | | |
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Credits. This page originally submitted on September 4, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Fort Scott, Kansas. This page has been viewed 63 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 4, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Fort Scott, Kansas.
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