Rutland Township in Independence in Montgomery County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Historic Farmhouse and Gift Shop

— Little House on the Prairie Museum —

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, June 23, 2023

1. Historic Farmhouse and Gift Shop Marker

Inscription. This farmhouse was built in the late 1880’s. It is similar to the dozens of farmhouses that dotted the prairie in the 1800’s and early 1900’s. The house has two rooms on the first floor and two small bedrooms on the second floor. It was heated by wood stoves in each room and scorch marks are still visible on the floors. Many of the original features remain, including hardwood floors, stovepipe outlets, woodwork and the narrow stairwell to the upstairs. Plumbing and running water were added in 1960.

In 1923, Bert Horton, grandfather of the present owners, bought this farm. Little did he know that it would become a famous historic site where Laura and her family once lived. Bert moved the back room to the site and converted it to the kitchen. The garden was to the west and a small horseshoe was found in the garden. The horseshoe is on display in the cabin. The Ingalls owned Pet, Patty and Bunny. They were small horses, known as mustangs. Who knows, maybe it belonged to one of them.

This house was inhabited continuously until 1960, when the present owners, Bill Kurtis and his sister, Jean Schodorf, inherited the property. It

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has withstood winds, rain, hail and prairie fires. It now serves as the Little House on the Prairie Museum Gift Shop.

Please take a moment to sit on the porch and enjoy the view of the prairie grasses and the breezes on your face.

“Home is the nicest word there is.”
Laura Ingalls Wilder

Erected by Little House on the Prairie Museum.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Arts, Letters, Music. A significant historical year for this entry is 1923.

Location. 37° 7.49′ N, 95° 50.175′ W. Marker is in Independence, Kansas, in Montgomery County. It is in Rutland Township. It can be reached from Laura Ingalls Wilder Road east of Montgomery County Road 2500, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2507 Cr 3000, Independence KS 67301, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Eastern Kansas. 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

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, June 23, 2023

2. Historic Farmhouse and Gift Shop Marker

This farmhouse was built after the Ingalls family left the Little House on the Prairie.

itself in what was once New Spain

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Barn / Barn Quilt (here, next to this marker); Childhood Home of Laura Ingalls Wilder and Birthplace of Carrie Ingalls (within shouting distance of this marker); Cabin (within shouting distance of this marker); Ingalls Cabin (within shouting distance of this marker); Wayside, Kansas Post Office (within shouting distance of this marker); Sunnyside School (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Richard Colbert Mason (approx. 9 miles away); Captain Richard C. Mason (approx. 9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Independence.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Little House On The Prairie (was approx. 1.4 miles away but has been permanently removed).

The Prairie Store image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, June 23, 2023

3. The Prairie Store

The house now operates as a gift shop.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 14, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 6, 2026, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 11 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 6, 2026, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.