Cottonwood Falls in Chase County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
A Landmark of Distinction
Cottonwood Falls has been the Chase county seat since both town and county were established in 1859. The first log cabin-courthouse was replaced in 1873 by this stately building of native limestone and walnut, which today is the oldest Kansas courthouse still in use. It was designed in French Renaissance style by John G. Haskell, who was also the first architect of the statehouse in Topeka.
Prospects for Cottonwood Falls received an early setback when it was bypassed by the Santa Fe railroad in 1871. The depot, located two miles north, was first called Cottonwood but in 1881 it and the community which grew up around it were renamed Strong City.
This "twin city" situation led to one of the state's first interurban systems. Horsecar service between the two towns began in 1887 and this courthouse square was the southern terminus of the two-mile railroad. In 1918 the company converted to a gasoline-powered motor car, but the track that served well for horsecars could not handle the heavier and faster equipment. Improved technology in this instance only created difficulty, and in 1919 the interurban ceased operations.
Erected by Kansas State Historical Society and Kansas Department of Transportation. (Marker Number 94.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Landmarks • Political Subdivisions • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Kansas Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1859.
Location. 38° 22.233′ N, 96° 32.49′ W. Marker is in Cottonwood Falls, Kansas, in Chase County. Marker is at the intersection of Pearl Street and Broadway, on the right when traveling east on Pearl Street. Marker is on the north grounds of the courthouse square. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 300 Pearl Street, Cottonwood Falls KS 66845, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Chase County War Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Oldest Operating Courthouse in Kansas (a few steps from this marker); Connecting the Chase County Community (approx. ¼ mile away); Bates Grove and the Area Adjacent to the Cottonwood River Dam (approx. 0.3 miles away); Chase County and the City of Cottonwood Falls (approx. 0.3 miles away); Cottonwood River Bridges at Cottonwood Falls (approx. 0.3 miles away); Cottonwood River Dam (approx. 0.3 miles away); Chase County All Veterans Memorial (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cottonwood Falls.
Also see . . .
1. Chase County Courthouse National Register Nomination. (Submitted on August 4, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. Chase County Courthouse. (Submitted on August 4, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
3. Kansas Historical Markers. (Submitted on November 14, 2011.)
Credits. This page was last revised on December 7, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 4, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 607 times since then and 10 times this year. Last updated on November 14, 2011, by Quaker Wizard of _, Kansas. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 4, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.