BlockFrom the record
12 National Register listings published here.
Sources: the National Register database, National Park Service
Ellsworth County, Kansas
49 topographic sheets cover 15 settlements here, and 12 properties are on the National Register of Historic Places.
Research this county
What the record shows
- 226 topographic sheet readings cover the county's settlements.
- 12 properties here are on the National Register of Historic Places: 9 buildings and 3 districts.
- 4 of the 12 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
12Every property in this county listed on the National Register of Historic Places, with the year it was listed and the federal nomination document.
| Photograph | Property | Type | Listed | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Ellsworth Downtown Historic District | district | 2007 | 07001065 |
 | Fort Harker Guardhouse | building | 1972 | 72000497 |
 | Fort Harker Officers' Quarters | building | 1974 | 74000834 |
 | Perry Hodgden House | building | 1973 | 73000754 |
 | Holyrood Santa Fe Depot | building | 2010 | 10000262 |
 | Insurance Building | building | 2006 | 06000595 |
 | Arthur Larkin House | building | 1975 | 75000712 |
| Lloyd, Ira E, Stock Farm | building | 2015 | 14001118 | |
 | Midland Hotel | building | 2002 | 02000716 |
 | Weinhold House | building | 2001 | 01000185 |
 | Wilson Downtown Historic District #1-Main St. | district | 2004 | 03001496 |
| Wilson Downtown Historic District #3-Southside | district | 2004 | 03001497 |
Wildfire, 2006 to 2020
59 firesEvery wildfire the federal occurrence database records inside this county: 59 of them, burning about 10,369 acres. None started naturally and none was recorded as arson. Each settlement page carries the fires within five miles of it.
| Reported cause | Fires |
|---|---|
| Missing data/not specified/undetermined | 34 |
| Debris and open burning | 13 |
| Equipment and vehicle use | 11 |
| Fireworks | 1 |
The five largest, by the area the report gives. None of them was recorded as arson.
| Date | Cause | Size | Reported by | Name on the report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 July 2006 | Missing data/not specified/undetermined | 3,200 acres | Kansas Counties | MILE 208 |
| 8 January 2017 | Missing data/not specified/undetermined | 3,000 acres | Ellsworth County | 33 |
| 10 April 2011 | Missing data/not specified/undetermined | 2,380 acres | Kansas Counties | HORSETHIEF |
| 24 February 2017 | Missing data/not specified/undetermined | 1,000 acres | Ellsworth County | RATHBUN FIRE |
| 12 April 2017 | Debris and open burning | 100 acres | Ellsworth County | 2017013 |
| 22 February 2016 | Equipment and vehicle use | 100 acres | Kansas Forest Service | 12 |
| 5 July 2015 | Missing data/not specified/undetermined | 100 acres | Kansas Forest Service | 57 |
| 4 April 2020 | Debris and open burning | 80 acres | Kansas Forest Service | not named |
Every settlement page carries the fires within five miles of it - see the settlement index below.
Storms, 1954 to 2026
60 of 690 shownThe NOAA Storm Events Database holds 690 reports for this county, causing no deaths, no injuries and about $13,454,150 in recorded property damage. Each settlement page carries the reports that name it.
| Kind of event | Reports |
|---|---|
| Hail | 380 |
| Thunderstorm Wind | 208 |
| Tornado | 50 |
| Flash Flood | 19 |
| Heavy Rain | 19 |
| Flood | 14 |
The most serious of them, by death, then injury, then recorded damage. The accounts are quoted exactly as the forecast office filed them.
| When | Event | Place named | Harm | What the report says |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 2007 | Flash Flood | Ellsworth | $4,500,000 | Numerous, slow-moving thunderstorms produced widespread 4 to 7 inch rainfall amounts across primarily the southeastern three-quarters of Ellsworth County from the late afternoon hours on May 23rd, to the early morning hours on May 24th. This caused widespread countywide flash flooding. Several rural and city roads were closed due to high water, and several roads countywide were damaged. Numerous homes and businesses received various magnitudes of flood damage. Some evacuations were needed along area rivers and streams, as well as along portions of Kanopolis Reservoir. Thankfully there were no injuries. Combined public and private damages were likely around $4-5 million. |
| May 1990 | Tornado (F3) | not stated | $2,500,000 | no account filed |
| March 1970 | Tornado (F2) | not stated | $2,500,000 | no account filed |
| June 2002 | Hail | Wilson | $500,000 | Numerous windows smashed out of homes, businesses and vehicles. Crop damage, especially to corn and wheat, was extensive. Area newspapers contributed greatly to this report. |
| June 2002 | Thunderstorm Wind | Wilson | $500,000 | Major roof damage, with some roofs completely blown off homes. Windows blown out off both homes and vehicles. In cases where roofs were blown off homes, the resultant water damage from rains was extensive. Area newspapers contributed greatly to this report. |
| May 2007 | Flash Flood | Wilson | $350,000 | Low water crossings were closed around Wilson due to high water. Widespread flooding was reported across the county. 2.55 inches of rain was reported by the Ellsworth police in just a few hours. No damage was reported to any structures. |
| June 2002 | Thunderstorm Wind | Kanapolis Res | $250,000 | Unspecified number of campers tipped over, at least two boats broke loose from their moorings and an specified number of private docks were damaged. |
| May 1990 | Tornado (F3) | not stated | $250,000 | no account filed |
| August 1985 | Tornado (F1) | not stated | $250,000 | no account filed |
| September 1975 | Tornado (F1) | not stated | $250,000 | no account filed |
| June 2008 | Hail | Kanopolis | $170,000 | Two inch hail blasted the sides of houses across Kanopolis. The north side of the Community Centers siding was blasted by the hail. Skylights and windows were also broken across town. |
| July 2003 | Thunderstorm Wind | Ellsworth | $125,000 | Amateur radio tower toppled. Back trailer of a truck pulling two horse trailers overturned on I-70. |
| June 2002 | Thunderstorm Wind | Kanapolis Res | $125,000 | Widespread damage to campers, trees, power lines and power poles. |
| July 2011 | Hail | Ellsworth | $100,000 | Golfball to tennis ball size hail affected Ellsworth. The only reported damage included windows broken out near the Ellsworth golf course. However, other hail damage not reported likely occurred, especially to area roofs and vehicles. Therefore, property damage amounts are rough estimates. |
| June 2002 | Thunderstorm Wind | Kanapolis Res | $100,000 | Camper overturned with many trees uprooted. |
| May 1998 | Thunderstorm Wind | Ellsworth | $100,000 | Hospital, under construction, sustained extensive damage when 750 feet of metal frame was blown down. |
| August 2006 | Thunderstorm Wind | Wilson | $90,000 | Reports of tractor trailers being blown over on Interstate 70 near mile marker 206. |
| October 2017 | Thunderstorm Wind | Kanapolis Res | $70,000 | Ten to fifteen power poles were knocked down along Kansas Highway 4 near the Ellsworth and McPherson county line. |
| September 2001 | Thunderstorm Wind | Ellsworth | $50,000 | KSN Weatherlab. Widespread tree damage resulted, including two large trees that were uprooted and fell onto one house and one trailer home. Area newspapers contributed to this report. |
| July 1994 | Thunderstorm Wind | Ellsworth | $50,000 | Damage from thunderstorm winds included eight power poles down, numerous limbs down and a golf cart shed was upended and carried out into a field. |
| May 1997 | Hail | Blackwolf | $50,000 | no account filed |
| July 2003 | Thunderstorm Wind | Ellsworth | $45,000 | Tractor trailer overturned with considerable damage to trailer resulting. |
| August 2006 | Thunderstorm Wind | Ellsworth | $35,000 | Pickup truck and camper were blown off of the highway. |
| April 2006 | Thunderstorm Wind | Kanapolis Res | $30,000 | A storage building at a boat and camper storage business near Kanopolis Lake was completely destroyed due to high winds. The tin roof was blown off and the sides were blown in. Another storage building nearby had damage to the tin roof. Also, an electrical pole near the site snapped. |
| August 2006 | Thunderstorm Wind | Ellsworth | $30,000 | The roof of Home Lumber and Supply in Ellsworth was ripped off by the strong winds. A large portion of the roof damaged a nearby pickup truck. Pieces of the roof also hit a primary power line and snapped a transformer pole. In addition, several tree limbs were downed across the city. Information courtesy of the Ellsworth Independent Reporter. |
| September 2009 | Hail | Black Wolf | $25,000 | Quarter to hen egg size hail covered the ground in some locations, including exit 14 along interstate 70. The large hail caused damage to crops and vehicles along its path. |
| May 2008 | Thunderstorm Wind | Holyrood | $25,000 | A semi truck was blown over on Highway 156. |
| April 2001 | Thunderstorm Wind | Kanapolis Res | $25,000 | Utility poles snapped. |
| September 1975 | Tornado (F1) | not stated | $25,000 | no account filed |
| April 1972 | Tornado (F2) | not stated | $25,000 | no account filed |
| May 1970 | Tornado (F1) | not stated | $25,000 | no account filed |
| April 1956 | Tornado (F3) | not stated | $25,000 | no account filed |
| June 1995 | Hail | Wilson | $22,000 | Twenty to thirty percent of wheat crop was damaged. |
| May 2018 | Thunderstorm Wind | Wilson | $20,000 | The Kansas Highway Patrol reported that a semi had jack knifed on Interstate 70 due to the strong winds. |
| June 2008 | Hail | Ellsworth | $19,400 | A homestead suffered severe damage from baseball to softball sized hail. The hail damaged 22 windowpanes and also killed 10 calves and chickens. Numerous farm fields were also flattened by the hail, destroying almost mature wheat. |
| July 2011 | Thunderstorm Wind | Holyrood | $15,000 | Numerous trees and some power lines were downed in Holyrood. Additionally, A semi-trailer was blown off highway 156 just southwest of Holyrood. |
| May 2007 | Tornado (EF0) | Holyrood | $12,500 | The tornado knocked over several large trees and a power pole. |
| May 1999 | Tornado (F0) | Ellsworth | $11,000 | Several steel plates 3 feet X 20 feet were blown more than 100 feet, the Ellsworth Service Center was damaged, and several trees were blown down. |
| June 2013 | Thunderstorm Wind | Ellsworth | $10,000 | A fireworks stand was leveled. The narrative is courtesy of the Ellsworth County Independent Reporter. |
| June 2010 | Thunderstorm Wind | Black Wolf | $10,000 | Emergency manager reported five power poles were knocked down near Old Highway 40 at 7th Road near Black Wolf. |
| April 2008 | Heavy Rain | Ellsworth | $10,000 | A 53-year old man lost control of his motorcycle during a heavy rainstorm while driving on Interstate 70 one mile west of the K-156 junction. He was taken to Ellsworth hospital with disabling injuries. Information courtesy of the Great Bend Tribune. |
| September 2006 | Thunderstorm Wind | Ellsworth | $10,000 | Tree limbs were downed onto power lines which caused power outages in Ellsworth. In addition, the courthouse lost a storm window, a parking sign was blown down, and a small section of the city hall roof was damaged, allowing water into the gymnasium. |
| April 2001 | Tornado (F0) | Ellsworth | $10,000 | Occurred at I-70/K-14 interchange just south of Ellsworth/Lincoln county line. Although the tornado remained in open country, two sheds were damaged and a few trees were uprooted. |
| September 2001 | Thunderstorm Wind | Ellsworth | $10,000 | Trees and power lines downed. |
| June 2000 | Tornado (F1) | Langley | $10,000 | Though shortlived, tornado caused damage to a farmstead. |
| May 1998 | Hail | Ellsworth | $10,000 | Windows broken in an area near Wilson. |
| May 1998 | Tornado (F1) | Ellsworth | $10,000 | Extensive damage to farm outbuildings, trucks and a camper. |
| August 1997 | Thunderstorm Wind | Lorraine | $10,000 | A PORCH AWNING WAS BLOWN OFF A HOUSE. |
| June 2008 | Tornado (EF0) | Lorraine | $9,750 | Brief tornado touchdown in open country, knocked down 13 power poles and downed a few tree limbs. |
| June 2008 | Hail | Kanopolis | $7,000 | Golfball sized hail broke windows, damaged a car and other property at a homestead. The large hail lasted for 5 minutes. |
| May 1998 | Thunderstorm Wind | Ellsworth | $6,250 | The remaining 50 feet of the metal frame of a hospital under construction were blown down. (This was the same hospital that sustained extensive damage from the severe thunderstorm event of 05/11/98.) |
| June 2019 | Hail | Kanopolis | $5,000 | The hail covered the ground with numerous reports of broken glass. |
| July 2013 | Thunderstorm Wind | Kanopolis | $5,000 | The winds gusted to 50 to 60 mph. Some small tree limbs were knocked down. |
| June 2008 | Hail | Ellsworth | $5,000 | Two inch diameter hail broke windows across the town. |
| June 2006 | Thunderstorm Wind | Holyrood | $5,000 | Several trees and tree limbs were downed in and around the Holyrood area. A van and a home sustained relatively minor damage when large limbs struck them. Courtesy The Salina Journal and The Ellsworth Independent Reporter. |
| July 2004 | Thunderstorm Wind | Terra Cotte | $5,000 | Downed power lines. |
| June 1995 | Hail | Wilson | $4,000 | no account filed |
| May 1980 | Tornado (F1) | not stated | $2,500 | no account filed |
| July 2020 | Thunderstorm Wind | Ellsworth | $2,000 | Several decent size tree branches were reported down in town. |
| August 2021 | Thunderstorm Wind | Ellsworth | $500 | A couple of three to four inch tree limbs were knocked down. |
Mines and quarries
1 recordedThe Survey's mineral resources record lists 1 working inside this county. It still produces. Each settlement page carries the workings within five miles of it.
| Commodity | Workings |
|---|---|
| Sand and Gravel, Construction | 1 |
The least common of them first, because a county's hundredth gravel pit says nothing its first ten did not.
| Where | Site | Commodity | Status | Recorded |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bates Sand Pit & Plant | Sand and Gravel, Construction | Producer |
Every populated place in the county
15Named 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.
-
Black Wolf
Black Wolf township · 67439 · On Wolf Creek · Black Wolf quadrangle
14 sheets, 1894 to 1985
-
Kanopolis
Ellsworth township · 67454 · On Spring Creek · Ellsworth quadrangle
14 sheets, 1894 to 1985
-
Kanopolis Lake Park
Empire township · 67464 · On Sand Creek · Langley quadrangle
16 sheets, 1892 to 1990
-
Terra Cotta
Carneiro township · 67425 · Near Buzzard Roost · Venango quadrangle
18 sheets, 1892 to 1990
The vanished settlements of Ellsworth County: the places named above that are no longer on the map.
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.