Ottawa in Franklin County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Pickrell Building
1885
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., July 17, 2011
1. Pickrell Building Marker
William Thomas Tom Pickrell built a livery stable (or Hotel de Hoss) on this site in 1867 and ran it for 11 years. He replaced that store in 1887 with the 50-foot (or double store front) building standing here now. Many businesses occupied rooms on two floors-millinery shops, barber shops, billiard parlors, tobacco stores, attorney's offices, real estate offices and the Prohibitionist Guardian newspaper.
In 1905, Pickrell family friend Fred Beeler rented an upstairs space to show moving pictures. Over time, it expanded as movies grew in popularity until the theateroriginally known as the Bijou, and later the Crystal-- took over the entire building. Only fires and renovations have temporarily halted the showing of movies in this theater, now called the Plaza. It is believed to be the longest-operating cinema in America.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Architecture • Entertainment • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Art Deco series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1905.
Location. 38° 36.918′ N, 95° 16.116′ W. Marker is in Ottawa, Kansas, in Franklin County. It is on Main Street near 2nd Street, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Eastern Kansas and specifically in Bleeding Kansas Border War Country. It is also in the American Midwest, in the Corn Belt, on the prairies, and on the Southern Plains. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Down Town Ottawa Historic District (a few steps from this marker); Shepherd & McQuesten Building (a few steps from this marker); Main Street, 200 Block South (within shouting distance of this marker); Franklin County Courthouse (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named The Franklin County Courthouse (about 700 feet away); Main Street, 400 Block South (approx. 0.2 miles away); Main Street, 500 Block South and City Park (approx. Ό mile away); Marais de Cygnes River (approx. Ό mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ottawa.
Also see . . . Historic Ottawa Central Business District National Register Nomination. (Submitted on December 19, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, June 22, 2023
2. Pickrell Building Marker
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., July 17, 2011
3. Pickrell Building and Marker
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., July 17, 2011
4. Pickrell Building Marker Detail
Credits. This page was last revised on April 3, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 19, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 697 times since then and 24 times this year. Last updated on March 25, 2025, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. Photos: 1. submitted on December 19, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. 2. submitted on March 25, 2025, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. 3, 4. submitted on December 19, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
