BlockFrom the record
11 National Register listings published here.
Sources: the National Register database, National Park Service
Rice County, Kansas
35 topographic sheets cover 15 settlements here, and 11 properties are on the National Register of Historic Places.
Research this county
What the record shows
- 213 topographic sheet readings cover the county's settlements.
- 11 properties here are on the National Register of Historic Places: 7 buildings and 4 sites.
- 1 of the 11 listings was 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
11Every 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charles K. Beckett House | building | 2009 | 08001350 | |
| Cooper Hall | building | 1974 | 74000845 | |
| Lyons High School | building | 2005 | 05000556 | |
 | Rice County Courthouse | building | 2002 | 02000401 |
| Rice County Jail and Sheriff's Residence | building | 2021 | 100007026 | |
| Santa Fe Trail-Rice County Segment 2 | site | 2013 | 13000580 | |
| Santa Fe Trail-Rice County Trail Segments | site | 1995 | 95000582 | |
| Santa Fe Trail-Rice County Segment 1 (Boundary Increase) | site | 2013 | 13000495 | |
| Shay Building | building | 2010 | 10000179 | |
| Station Little Arkansas | site | 1995 | 95000583 | |
 | Sterling Free Public Carnegie Library | building | 1987 | 87000969 |
Wildfire, 1994 to 2020
54 firesEvery wildfire the federal occurrence database records inside this county: 54 of them, burning about 30,116 acres. 5 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 | 23 |
| Debris and open burning | 14 |
| Natural | 5 |
| Equipment and vehicle use | 5 |
| Smoking | 3 |
| Power generation/transmission/distribution | 2 |
| Fireworks | 1 |
| Recreation and ceremony | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 March 1994 | Missing data/not specified/undetermined | 16,000 acres | Rice County | not named |
| 14 March 2018 | Missing data/not specified/undetermined | 8,000 acres | Rice County | RICE COUNTY |
| 8 January 2017 | Missing data/not specified/undetermined | 2,239 acres | McPherson County | 2017-00000869 |
| 28 February 1996 | Missing data/not specified/undetermined | 1,500 acres | Rice County | not named |
| 24 July 2012 | Missing data/not specified/undetermined | 1,200 acres | Kansas Counties | SUICIDE HILL |
| 11 April 2001 | Debris and open burning | 350 acres | Quivira National Wildlife Refuge | WINDY WED. |
| 14 September 2000 | Equipment and vehicle use | 325 acres | Quivira National Wildlife Refuge | WENDEL |
| 4 July 2017 | Fireworks | 200 acres | Rice County | 38 |
Every settlement page carries the fires within five miles of it - see the settlement index below.
Storms, 1950 to 2026
60 of 651 shownThe NOAA Storm Events Database holds 651 reports for this county, causing no deaths, 6 injuries and about $36,174,750 in recorded property damage. Each settlement page carries the reports that name it.
| Kind of event | Reports |
|---|---|
| Hail | 321 |
| Thunderstorm Wind | 226 |
| Tornado | 46 |
| Flood | 25 |
| Flash Flood | 16 |
| Heavy Rain | 12 |
| Funnel Cloud | 3 |
| Lightning | 2 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 1974 | Tornado (F1) | not stated | 3 hurt, $25,000 | no account filed |
| May 1990 | Tornado (F3) | not stated | 2 hurt, $250,000 | no account filed |
| June 1971 | Tornado (F2) | not stated | 1 hurt, $25,000 | no account filed |
| September 1973 | Tornado (F3) | not stated | $25,000,000 | no account filed |
| May 2007 | Flood | Lyons | $4,000,000 | Numerous, slow-moving thunderstorms produced widespread 2 to 5 inch rainfall amounts across Rice County from the late afternoon hours on May 23rd, to the early morning hours on May 24th. Excessive runoff caused area streams and creeks to overflow their banks, resulting in widespread flooding. Several rural and city roads were closed due to high water, agricultural land was inundated, and several roads countywide were damaged. Numerous homes and businesses received various magnitudes of flood damage. Some evacuations were needed along the Cow Creek. The community of Saxman was essentially surrounded by the flooded Cow Creek. Thankfully there were no injuries reported countywide. Combined public and private damages suffered across Rice County were likely around $4 million. |
| May 2007 | Flood | Lyons | $2,570,000 | US Highway 56 was closed between Chase and Lyons with about 2 feet of water flowing over it. K-14 was closed north of Lyons. Numerous other county roads were flooded throughout the entire county. Stretches of K-14 as well as numerous county roads were washed out during the flood. Damage to just public infrastructure was estimated to be at least 2.568 million dollars. |
| September 2009 | Hail | Sterling | $550,000 | Golfball sized hail caused widespread damage to roofs across the town. Almost half the homes in town had roofs replaced due to the large hail. |
| May 2009 | Flood | Saxman | $290,000 | Numerous low water crossings or small bridges were washed out due to high water. Concrete structures were damaged by the raging water with some estimates of 2 to 4 inches of rainfall. |
| April 2010 | Hail | Lyons | $250,000 | The hail occurred with estimated 65 mph winds. Numerous vehicles and roofs received hail damage in town, some of which was rather extensive and severe. Incurred property damage is a rough estimate. |
| August 2002 | Thunderstorm Wind | Lyons | $250,000 | Monetary breakdown on farm losses: Dwellings and service buildings= $150,000; Structures (i.e. silos) =$50,000; Machinery=$25,000. Total acreage affected: 500,000. USDA Flash Situation Report contributed greatly to this narrative. In addition, power lines downed in many locations. |
| August 2002 | Thunderstorm Wind | Lyons | $250,000 | Metal facade covering 2nd floor of building located on east side of town square demolished. Gas meter crushed when limb fell onto it allowing natural gas to escape. Awning of car wash damaged. In addition, many vehicles blown off roads, including a sheriff's patrol car. Approximately 3,700 residents were without power. Tree damage was widespread, the most noteworthy being the uprooting of an elm with a 30-inch base that nearly landed on a motel situated on the east side of town. Area newspapers contributed greatly to this report. |
| May 1996 | Hail | Lyons | $250,000 | no account filed |
| March 1990 | Tornado (F1) | not stated | $250,000 | no account filed |
| June 1950 | Tornado (F4) | not stated | $250,000 | no account filed |
| May 2007 | Thunderstorm Wind | Bushton | $225,000 | Thirty power poles were blown over due to the high winds. Numerous outbuildings and grain bins were also damaged or destroyed. |
| August 2011 | Thunderstorm Wind | Lyons | $200,000 | An intense supercell thunderstorm spread a swath of severe weather in the form of large hail and damaging winds from northwest to southeast across Rice county. The most widespread and extensive damage occurred along and either side of a line extending from Buxton through Lyons, and on into rural southeast Rice county. Hail damage to crops such as beans and milo was a total loss in some instances. However, the size of hail and crop damage amounts are unknown. Several trees and tree limbs were downed, along with power lines and power poles. Additionally, multiple sheds and irrigation systems were damaged from the high winds. Some roofs were damaged as well from the hail and wind combination, including the total loss of a convenience store in Lyons. Property damage amounts are rough estimates, and crop damage amounts are unfortunately unknown. |
| May 2004 | Lightning | Sterling | $200,000 | Church, 100 years old, struck twice. The lightning penetrated multiple areas of tin roofing, struck a corner of the southeast tower, dislodging a section of brick, and frying all the electric wiring connected in the tower. The piece of brick dislodged from the southeast tower fell, smashing the wire covering on top of an air conditioning unit. A second piece of brick also fell, damaging part of a storm drain while a third brick was thrown across Broadway Street and into the yard of the library. Of the church equipment damaged, the most expensive, estimated between $125,000 and $150,000, was the organ. Other equipment damaged were the elevator, sound system, lightning and electrical panels, fire control system, furnace, thermostat, mixing board, and an unspecified number of computers. One window in the southeast tower was also shattered. (Report and narrative courtesy of Sterling Bulletin.) |
| May 2019 | Flash Flood | Little River | $100,000 | There were reports of numerous vehicles driving into flooded roadways and becoming submerged. |
| August 2013 | Flash Flood | Saxman | $100,000 | Evacuations occurred along Cow Creek due to rapidly rising water. |
| June 2002 | Thunderstorm Wind | Galt | $100,000 | Widespread damage to roofs, power lines and power poles, and trees. |
| August 2002 | Thunderstorm Wind | Sterling | $100,000 | Fire department vehicle (apparantly a squad car) blown into ditch. Power lines and power poles downed, including one with transformer resulting in widespread power outages. The high winds teamed with torrential rains to cause roof damage at Sterling High School that resulted in the flooding of the library and one classroom. The town's medical facility sustained damage to one area of roofing (areal extent unspecified) that leaked profusely. |
| August 2002 | Flash Flood | Central Portion | $100,000 | Widespread rainfalls from 3-9 inches, with the greater amounts occurring across central and eastern Rice County, caused major flash flooding resulting in damage to milo, corn, soybeans and alfalfa. Erosion and gullying was most pronounced in central Rice County, and led to the barricading of the following roads: 22nd Road between Avenues W & Y, Avenue V from 20th to 21st Roads, Avenue J between 14th & 15th Roads, Avenue N & 8th Road intersection, Avenue F between 9th & 10th Roads, and 20th Road between Avenues Q & V, and Avenue T between 14th and 18th Roads. Area newspapers and the USDA Flash Situation Report contributed greatly to this narrative. |
| May 1999 | Hail | Silica | $100,000 | Marble to golfball-sized hail damaged roofs, vehicles, numerous trees and broke windows. A total of 85,000 acres of farmland (wheat, corn and alfalfa) were affected. |
| September 2009 | Hail | Bushton | $50,000 | A swath of large hail moved south across the western half of the county, causing extensive damage to crops, homes and vehicles. Windows were busted out of the homes, and leaves were shreaded off of the trees. The hail was so plentiful that Highway 56 became covered white with hail. This caused a propane truck to slide off the road into a ditch just east of the Barton/Rice county line, destoying the truck. |
| August 1998 | Lightning | Chase | $50,000 | Lightning set fire to two oil tank batteries. |
| July 1994 | Thunderstorm Wind | Sterling | $50,000 | The most damaging winds were across the southern part of the county and estimated at 90 miles an hour. The damage path went from Raymond through Alden to Sterling. Numerous tree damage was noted and utility poles were blown over. In Sterling, trees were uprooted and a large shed collapsed. |
| May 1993 | Tornado (F1) | Sterling | $50,000 | This tornado touched down ten miles west of Sterling and damaged several telephone poles and one shed. |
| May 2007 | Tornado (EF1) | Bushton | $35,000 | The tornado blew power lines down along highway 4 and crossed into Ellsworth County 4.9 miles south of Holyrood. |
| May 2021 | Tornado (EF0) | Geneseo | $25,000 | The tornado hit a homestead causing damage to an older barn, a utility shed, and trees. Winds were estimated at 85 mph. |
| June 2010 | Flood | Sterling | $25,000 | Rainfall amounts between 2 to 6 inches led to flooding of low lying areas from Lyons south to Sterling. Traffic was reduced to one lane along Kansas Highway 96/14 just north of Sterling. At one point a fuel station on the north end of Sterling was on an island with flooding all around it. The city of Sterling received 6.65 inches of rainfall during the event, causing numerous basements to flood. The Cow Creek, south of Lyons, left its banks later in the week, closing various county road locations along its path. |
| September 2009 | Hail | Bushton | $25,000 | The large hail made a swath of destruction just to the east of Highway 14 in northern Rice. Hail up to two inches caused heavy damage to corn and vehicles along its path. |
| May 2005 | Hail | Lyons | $25,000 | A total of 35 vehicles damaged at a dealership. Of this total, 18 were 2005 models. One car sustained a broken windshield. Damage was limited due to the sparse number of hailstones achieving the 2.75 inch diameter. (Narrative courtesy of Lyons Daily News.) |
| June 2004 | Thunderstorm Wind | Lyons | $25,000 | Half of a barn destroyed. Time and location estimates. (Narrative courtesy of Hutchinson News.) |
| June 1998 | Thunderstorm Wind | Lyons | $25,000 | Damage to wheat crop east of Sterling and just north of Lyons. Corn crop damaged west of Lyons near Chase. |
| August 1997 | Thunderstorm Wind | Lyons | $25,000 | TREES DOWNED ACROSS K-14. POWER POLES BLOWN DOWN 1N LYONS. |
| May 1957 | Tornado (F0) | not stated | $25,000 | no account filed |
| April 1956 | Tornado (F3) | not stated | $25,000 | no account filed |
| June 1955 | Tornado (F3) | not stated | $25,000 | no account filed |
| May 2019 | Tornado (EF0) | Alden | $20,000 | The tornado moved over open country and produced damage to a center pivot irrigation system. |
| July 2015 | Tornado (EF1) | Saxman | $20,000 | A rope tornado was reported as it moved unconventionally to the southwest. One home took minor damage right after touchdown. A few windows were blown out and a man was blown out of his chair. Otherwise, significant tree damage (DI27 DOD3) was noted along the 150 yard wide path. This tornado moved into Reno County. |
| May 2007 | Tornado (EF1) | Bushton | $20,000 | The tornado some damage to sheds and downed several powerlines. The storm crossed into Rice 4.8 miles west-southwest of Bushton and dissipated 2 miles west of Bushton. |
| June 1996 | Thunderstorm Wind | Lyons | $15,000 | no account filed |
| June 2009 | Thunderstorm Wind | Sterling | $12,500 | Winds estimated around 70 mph knocked down three 70 foot tall cottonwood trees. One of the trees fell on the corner of a residence causing significant damage to the roof and one wall. |
| August 2011 | Thunderstorm Wind | Little River | $12,000 | A semi-trailer was blown over on Highway 56. |
| August 2013 | Flood | Sterling | $10,000 | Flooding continued along Cow Creek. A few homes had water in the basement. |
| July 2013 | Hail | Little River | $10,000 | The baseball-sized hail damaged trees and cracked windshields. |
| June 2010 | Tornado (EF1) | Bushton | $10,000 | The tornado touched down in a milo field and moved northeast knocking down a few power poles near 9th road and Avenue C. |
| August 2002 | Thunderstorm Wind | Lyons | $10,000 | Back porch destroyed when large branch of locust tree fell onto it. |
| June 2000 | Thunderstorm Wind | Lyons | $10,000 | Power lines downed. |
| November 2012 | Thunderstorm Wind | Bushton | $7,500 | A carport was damaged and blown over into a house. Report relayed from social media. |
| July 2006 | Thunderstorm Wind | Lyons | $7,000 | Several power lines were downed from severe winds. The Lyons News contributed to this report. |
| June 2013 | Thunderstorm Wind | Sterling | $6,000 | Trees of 8 to 9 inches in diameter were reported to have blown down. A few power poles were also blown down. At Sterling Lake, a couple of Cottonwood Trees with diameters of 3.5 feet were blown down. |
| May 2011 | Thunderstorm Wind | Lyons | $5,000 | Winds were estimated around 70 to 80 mph. Some tree damage was reported in Lyons. The Lyons News contributed to this report. |
| April 2008 | Thunderstorm Wind | Chase | $5,000 | Some minor shingle damage occurred in town. One homeowner reported a damaged carport. |
| July 2006 | Thunderstorm Wind | Lyons | $5,000 | Numerous tree limbs were downed due to severe winds. Several of the limbs fell on to power lines. The Lyons News contributed to this report. |
| May 2005 | Thunderstorm Wind | Lyons | $5,000 | Large motorcycle blown over. |
| May 2005 | Hail | Lyons | $5,000 | A 2nd dealership sustained damage to only 3 vehicles. As was the case 1 mile southeast of Lyons, damage was limited due to the sparse number of hailstones achieving the 2.75 inch diameter. (Narrative courtesy of Lyons Daily News.) |
| July 2003 | Tornado (F0) | Sterling | $5,000 | Although a brief event, the tornado damaged roofing and fencing on a farm. Lyons Daily News contributed to this report. |
| May 2002 | Hail | Alden | $5,000 | Car and roof of house damaged. |
| April 2001 | Thunderstorm Wind | Chase | $5,000 | Shed blown down. |
Mines and quarries
2 recordedThe Survey's mineral resources record lists 2 workings inside this county. All of them still produce. Each settlement page carries the workings within five miles of it.
| Commodity | Workings |
|---|---|
| Salt | 2 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Salt Milling and Shipping | Salt | Producer | ||
| American Salt Mine & Mill | Salt | 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.
-
Little River
Union township · 67457 · On Horse Creek · Little River quadrangle
15 sheets, 1894 to 1985
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.