Near Studley in Sheridan County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Washhouse and Yard Fence

Cottonwood Ranch State Historic Site

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, September 6, 2017

1. Washhouse and Yard Fence Marker

Inscription. Most women of early rural households designated one day of the week as washday. Separate washhouses were common in the 1890s, but the fine stonework, chimney, running water, wallpaper, and tin ceiling distinguish the Pratt washhouse. The concrete posts and wire fence were erected in 1923 to replace a wood picket fence. The fence served two purposes. It kept children and pets in, and kept livestock off the lawn and away from the house.

(photo caption)
The Pratt's washhouse — the only structure on this site that was built on a foundation. Its walls form an underlying cellar.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1923.

Location. 39° 21.304′ N, 100° 10.368′ W. Marker is near Studley, Kansas, in Sheridan County. Marker can be reached from U.S. 24 east of Road 140E, on the left when traveling east. Marker is located on the Cottonwood Ranch State Historic Site grounds, near the northeast corner of the ranch house, overlooking the subject washhouse. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 14432 East US Highway 24, Hoxie KS 67740, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Stained Glass Windows (here, next to this marker); The Pratt Family (a few steps from this marker); Yorkshire Ranching on the High Plains

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(a few steps from this marker); Windmill and Water Cistern (a few steps from this marker); The Story of the Stones (a few steps from this marker); Pratt Home & Cottonwood Ranch (within shouting distance of this marker); Working and Living Spaces (within shouting distance of this marker); East Shed (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Studley.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Cottonwood Ranch State Historic Site

Also see . . .
1. Cottonwood Ranch. In its earliest days the ranch consisted of the stone house and at least one outbuilding of sod, which was used as a stable. (Submitted on September 14, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. Cottonwood Ranch, Sheridan County, Kansas. In the late 1880s a wing with a parlor and a bedroom was added to the west end, and in the 1890s a kitchen and bedroom were built on the east end. The resulting symmetrical plan was reminiscent of the much larger two-story houses of the wealthier farmers in Yorkshire. First a picket fence and then later a woven-wire fence

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, September 6, 2017

2. Washhouse and Yard Fence Marker

(washhouse in background)

beautified the house and protected the yard from roving farm animals. (Submitted on September 14, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Cottonwood Ranch: East Gate & Fence image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, September 6, 2017

3. Cottonwood Ranch: East Gate & Fence

(view from near marker • illustrates concrete posts • kitchen in background)

Pratt's Washhouse image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, September 6, 2017

4. Pratt's Washhouse

The walls form an underlying cellar.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 14, 2020. It was originally submitted on September 13, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 79 times since then and 5 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 14, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.