BlockBefore

Chase County, Kansas

43 topographic sheets cover 15 settlements here, and 21 properties are on the National Register of Historic Places.

Research this county

From the record

21 National Register listings published here, 2 of them National Historic Landmarks.

Sources: the National Register database, National Park Service

Kansas within the United States
Chase County within Kansas

What the record shows

  • 218 topographic sheet readings cover the county's settlements.
  • 21 properties here are on the National Register of Historic Places: 14 buildings, 4 structures and 3 districts.
  • 9 of the 21 listings were added during the 1970s.
  • The Geographic Names Information System records 15 populated places in this county; 15 are covered by at least one topographic sheet.

Places on the National Register

21

Every property in this county listed on the National Register of Historic Places, with the year it was listed and the federal nomination document.

Photograph PropertyType ListedReference
Cartter Buildingbuilding197777000573
Cedar Point Millbuilding200606001166
Chase County Courthousebuilding197171000304
Chase County National Bankbuilding197777000572
Clements Stone Arch Bridgestructure197676000816
Clover Cliff Ranch Housebuilding197777000574
Cottonwood Falls Grade Schoolbuilding2021100006682
Cottonwood River Bridgestructure198585001422
Cottonwood River Pratt Truss Bridgestructure200303000376
Crocker Ranchbuilding197777000575
Fox Creek Stone Arch Bridgestructure200606001164
Lower Fox Creek Schoolbuilding197474000822
Matfield Green High School Gymnasiumbuilding2024100010290
McNee Barnsbuilding201313000431
Pioneer Bluffs Ranch Historic Districtdistrict199090001441
William C. & Jane Shaft Housebuilding201010000449
Spring Hill Farm and Stock Ranch Housebuilding197171000305
Spring Hill Ranchdistrict199708000828
Strong City Atchison, Topeka, & Santa Fe Depotbuilding200707000607
Whitney Ranch Historic Districtdistrict199595000589
Wood Housebuilding197474000821

Wildfire, 1994 to 2018

55 fires

Every wildfire the federal occurrence database records inside this county: 55 of them, burning about 69,328 acres. None started naturally and 2 were recorded as arson. Each settlement page carries the fires within five miles of it.

Reported cause Fires
Debris and open burning24
Missing data/not specified/undetermined20
Equipment and vehicle use6
Smoking3
Arson/incendiarism2

The five largest, by the area the report gives. None of them was recorded as arson.

DateCause SizeReported by Name on the report
27 March 2002Missing data/not specified/undetermined30,000 acresChase Countynot named
6 April 2011Debris and open burning5,000 acresFlint Hills National Wildlife RefugeV ROAD
11 April 2003Missing data/not specified/undetermined4,000 acresChase Countynot named
7 April 2015Missing data/not specified/undetermined3,500 acresTallgrass Prairie National PreserveNOBODY KNOWS
10 April 2010Debris and open burning3,490 acresTallgrass Prairie National PreserveTALLGRASS COMPLEX
22 March 1994Missing data/not specified/undetermined3,000 acresChase Countynot named
19 April 2018Missing data/not specified/undetermined3,000 acresChase County190 AND YY RD
5 April 2018Missing data/not specified/undetermined2,500 acresChase CountyNICKEL CREEK

Every settlement page carries the fires within five miles of it - see the settlement index below.

Storms, 1950 to 2026

60 of 380 shown

The NOAA Storm Events Database holds 380 reports for this county, causing 6 deaths, 13 injuries and about $6,527,830 in recorded property damage. Each settlement page carries the reports that name it.

Kind of event Reports
Hail178
Thunderstorm Wind120
Tornado47
Flash Flood13
Flood10
Heavy Rain10
Lightning2

The most serious of them, by death, then injury, then recorded damage. The accounts are quoted exactly as the forecast office filed them.

WhenEvent Place namedHarm What the report says
August 2003Flash FloodGladstone6 killed, $250,000Torrential rains of 6-8 inches, occurring in about 3 hours, caused flash flooding of Jacob Creek along I-35, the Kansas Turnpike, near milepost 116, 12 miles southwest of Emporia. The exceptionally heavy rains turned what had been a nearly dry creek into a raging river that surged almost due north at a rate of about 4,100 cubic feet per second. The creek overflowed across the northeast bound lanes and against a concrete median separating the northeast bound from the southwest bound lanes. The median consisted of 10 cement barriers, each 20 feet long and weighing 10,000-20,000 pounds. The water pressure built to the point that the median suddenly broke, allowing 6 to 7 feet of water to surge in a mini tsunami-like manner across the rest of the interstate.Seven vehicles were swept off the turnpike. Of these, one was a minivan carrying a family of six. Of the six occupants, five perished. The fatalities comprised of one woman and four children, all four under 10 years of age. The woman's body was found about two miles from the interstate. Of the four children, three were found inside the minivan, while the fourth was found 3/4 mile from the vehicle. The husband had broken out a window and was sucked out of the vehicle in the process. The sixth fatality, a man, resulted when his vehicle had stalled. The concrete barriers were also washed into the creek.The seven vehicles were strewn about in a low-lying area of the Flint Hills. Just east of the minivan, two vehicles were partially submerged and a third was flipped upside down and leaning against a tree. There were no statements as to the whereabouts of the other three vehicles. It was the first time in 50 years that the Kansas Turnpike had flooded at this location.The Arkansas City Traveler, the Chanute Tribune, the Wichita Eagle and the U.S. Geological Survey all contributed greatly to this narrative.
May 2003Thunderstorm WindMatfield Green6 hurt, $380,000Severe thunderstorm winds derailed 38 cars of a 118-car Burlington Northern Santa Fe freight train. One of the derailed freight cars, a unibody tank car filled with sulphur dioxide, forced the evacuation of an estimated 250 residents. Six firemen and law enforcement officers, exact number of each unknown, were treated at the scene for respiratory ailments.
October 2017LightningMatfield Green3 hurtThree state transportation workers were injured, while working along the Kansas Turnpike, when their vehicle was struck by lightning. One worker was inside the vehicle, while two others were nearby. All three of the employees were taken to the hospital, two were treated and released, while the other was hospitalized in fair condition.
May 1950Tornado (F3)not stated2 hurt, $250,000no account filed
April 2023Tornado (EF0)Strong City1 hurt, $20,000This was the eighth tornado documented by the NWS Wichita damage Survey Team. This tornado mainly produced EF0 damage to mainly trees. There was one minor injury close to the initial touchdown along Highway 50, when a car was thrown 30 yards off the highway. The person was treated and released.
April 2023Tornado (EF0)Elmdale1 hurtThis is the third tornado which initially caused the loss of roof material on an outbuilding. The tornado crossed U.S. Highway 50, and a semi was blown over resulting in one injury. Several small road signs were taken out. A one to two foot diameter tree was snapped before the tornado lifted. This tornado was rated an EF0.
May 1987Tornado (F2)not stated$2,500,000no account filed
May 1974Tornado (F2)not stated$2,500,000no account filed
May 2009FloodMatfield Green$100,000Three to four inches of rainfall caused flooding across the county. Numerous low water crossings were flooded with portions of the Kansas Turnpike near mile post 101 closed because of high water.
May 1998Thunderstorm WindElmdale$100,000Widespread tree damage, including several trees that fell onto houses. One car was lifted off a highway but driver was unharmed.
April 2009Thunderstorm WindWonsevu$50,000A garage picked up and fell on a car. A barn was blown down which inflicted minor damage to a residence. A second residence was also damaged in the area.
June 2008Tornado (EF0)Cedar Pt$50,000The tornado caused minor damage to a couple of homesteads.
July 2008Flash FloodCedar Pt$35,000Water was reported over highway 50 between mile marker 311 and 312. Several rural roads in the Cedar Point area were also closed due to high water over them.
August 2019Thunderstorm WindStrong City$25,000Winds estimated around 56 knots/65 mph pulled a 50 foot by 30 foot pole barn from the ground and lifted it. The pole barn landed in a nearby pasture. Posts had been inserted 3 feet deep but did not have concrete support. There was an 8-foot opening to the north and a 15-foot opening to the west. A small lawn tractor that had been parked on the east side of the building was pushed onto its right side.
August 2009Thunderstorm WindCottonwood Falls$25,000Many large trees were knocked down throughout town.
March 1991Tornado (F1)not stated$25,000no account filed
May 1990Tornado (F0)not stated$25,000no account filed
May 1953Tornado (F3)not stated$25,000no account filed
July 2010Thunderstorm WindBazaar$20,000A semi-truck was blown over near mile marker 110 on the Kansas Turnpike, roughly 9 miles northeast of Matfield Green.
August 2019LightningCottonwood Falls$15,000The lightning struck a camper. The camper was subsequently destroyed with only one wall left standing. No injuries were reported. The report was received courtesy of radio station KVOE. This was a delayed report.
July 2015Thunderstorm WindElmdale$12,000A tractor trailer semi was blown over.
September 2014Thunderstorm WindMatfield Green$10,000Tree limbs of unknown size were blown down on Highway 177 near Matfield Green. The limbs were large enough that a chainsaw was needed to cut them up.
September 2014Thunderstorm WindMatfield Green$10,000A tree fell on the Kansas Turnpike on the south bound side at Mile Marker 101.
May 1998Thunderstorm WindCedar Pt$10,000Two-foot diameter tree uprooted. Garage damaged.
May 1998Thunderstorm WindCottonwood Falls$10,000Shed blown down. Tree damage.
May 1998Thunderstorm WindCottonwood Falls$10,000One-two foot diameter tree limbs broken off and doors blown off barns.
June 1998Tornado (F0)Wonsevu$10,000Outbuildings damaged.
April 2023Tornado (EF1)Cottonwood Falls$5,000The sixth tornado produced by the supercell tracked across the town of Cottonwood Falls producing EF1 damage, mainly to trees and minor damage to roof structures.
July 2008Thunderstorm WindCottonwood Falls$5,000Several large trees were blown down from high winds. Winds were estimated to be at least 65 mph.
July 2008Thunderstorm WindElmdale$5,000Several large trees were blown down from high winds. Winds were estimated at 65 mph.
April 2006HailCottonwood Falls$5,000The hail broke out windows of historic buildings which are part of the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve.
August 2000Thunderstorm WindMatfield Green$5,000Roof damage and large limbs downed.
June 1994Thunderstorm WindStrong City$5,000no account filed
May 1993HailSaffordville$5,000no account filed
March 2017Thunderstorm WindCottonwood Falls$4,000Power poles were reported down.
April 2011Thunderstorm WindElmdale$4,000Power lines were downed along the railroad tracks. Power lines were also flashing in Elmdale.
April 1991Tornado (F0)not stated$2,500no account filed
April 1991Tornado (F0)not stated$2,500no account filed
July 1985Tornado (F0)not stated$2,500no account filed
April 1984Tornado (F0)not stated$2,500no account filed
April 1964Tornado (F2)not stated$2,500no account filed
June 2009Thunderstorm WindCottonwood Falls$2,000A 3 to 4 foot diameter tree fell across the road.
May 2023Thunderstorm WindCottonwood Falls$1,000Power lines were reported down.
July 2015Flash FloodSaffordville$1,000One to two feet of water was flowing over US highway 50 near YY road. Rainfall amounts were 2 to 2.5 inches of rain.
May 2008Thunderstorm WindMatfield Green$500A few shingles were blown off a roof.
May 1994Thunderstorm WindCedar Point$500Tree limbs were blown down.
May 2019FloodStrong City$100Highway 177 was closed due to river flooding along the Cottonwood River south of Strong City.
October 2018FloodSaffordville$100Water was reported over the county roads in and around Saffordville.
August 2010Thunderstorm WindCottonwood Falls$100A few 3 to 4-inch diameter tree limbs were downed.
June 1978Tornado (F0)not stated$30no account filed
April 2026HailBazaar-This report was relayed via social media.
April 2026HailCottonwood Falls-Report was received courtesy of KSN, and it was supported by law enforcement.
May 2025Thunderstorm WindCottonwood Falls-Sporadic damage reported across the county with trees, tree limbs, and privacy fences knocked down. A metal roof was partially blown off in Cottonwood Falls.
May 2024Thunderstorm WindMatfield Green-A cedar tree was blown over.
June 2024HailStrong City-Report received via mPing.
June 2024Thunderstorm WindMatfield Green-Storm chaser reported an estimated wind gust of 70 mph along Kansas Highway 177.
June 2024Thunderstorm WindStrong City-A report via mPing of broken one inch tree limbs.
June 2024Thunderstorm WindElmdale-Recorded from the Kansas State Mesonet.
June 2024Thunderstorm WindElmdale-Recorded from the Kansas State Mesonet in Elmdale.
August 2024Thunderstorm WindElmdale-Measured wind gust of 63 mph from the Kansas State Mesonet near Elmdale.

Mines and quarries

3 recorded

The Survey's mineral resources record lists 3 workings inside this county. All of them still produce. Each settlement page carries the workings within five miles of it.

Commodity Workings
Stone, Crushed/Broken3

The least common of them first, because a county's hundredth gravel pit says nothing its first ten did not.

Where SiteCommodity StatusRecorded
Biggs QuarryStone, Crushed/BrokenProducer
Campbell QuarryStone, Crushed/BrokenProducer
Chase County QuarryStone, Crushed/BrokenProducer

Every populated place in the county

15

Named settlements recorded in the Geographic Names Information System, each with the topographic sheets covering it. Villages, hamlets and abandoned places alike. Each is shown with the nearest named watercourse or landform and the survey quadrangle it falls on.

Provenance

  • Topographic sheets. USGS Historical Topographic Map Collection, county index, measured from the bulk metadata.
  • Fire insurance maps. Library of Congress Sanborn collection, faceted to this county.
  • Photographs. Each place queried individually against the Library of Congress Prints and Photographs search.
  • Wildfire. Short, Karen C. 2022. Spatial wildfire occurrence data for the United States, 1992-2020 [FPA_FOD_20221014]. 6th Edition. Fort Collins, CO: Forest Service Research Data Archive. https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2013-0009.6 Collected with United States Government funding and usable without additional permissions or fees.
  • Mines and quarries. USGS Mineral Resources Data System (MRDS) https://mrdata.usgs.gov/mrds/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105.
  • Storms. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/stormevents/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105. Narratives are quoted verbatim from the National Weather Service report and are not edited or summarised.