Seneca in Nemaha County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
The Buggy Store
This 1886 Romanesque building with its decorative brick facade has a store interior that is basically the same as it was 120 years ago. At that time it was a hardware store that sold buggies, wagons, windmills, and stoves. Before automobiles, since most families kept horses, harnesses and other livery items were also made and sold here. A tinsmith shop was upstairs and the smith's tools are still in place.
The hardware store still has the original windows, 14-foot tin ceilings, wood floors, shelves, wainscoting and counters. A large rope-drawn freight elevator used to haul buggies from the rear of the building to an upstairs display window is still operative. The original stained glass windows have been carefully restored.
The building has been owned by the same family since 1939 and now houses "Buggy Days Antiques," a good re-use of this well-maintained Victorian store.
Erected by City of Seneca and Kansas Humanities Council.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Architecture • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1886.
Location. 39° 50.065′ N, 96° 3.795′ W. Marker is in Seneca, Kansas, in Nemaha County. Marker is on Main Street west of 5th Street , on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 509 Main Street, Seneca KS 66538, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. City Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); The Railroads (within shouting distance of this marker); The First National Bank (within shouting distance of this marker); The Seneca Post Office (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Seneca Free Library (about 400 feet away); The Smith Hotel (about 500 feet away); Pony Express Home Station (about 500 feet away); The Felt Block (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Seneca.
Also see . . .
1. Seneca, Kansas. City website homepage (Submitted on March 17, 2013, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. Seneca Main Street Historic District National Register Nomination. Kansas Historical Society website entry (Submitted on March 17, 2013, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on January 26, 2022. It was originally submitted on March 17, 2013, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 329 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 17, 2013, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.