It’s been a while since I brought you one of my world-famous photo blogs.
As most of you know, I’m a dedicated urbanite, and usually I bring you photos from cities, such as Denver or Berkeley/Oakland.
But last week, Patty suggested we go out into the Flint Hills for some exploring and relaxation. Great idea, said I, and off we went on Saturday to the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, west of Emporia. The preserve is owned by The Nature Conservancy and managed by the National Park Service and The Nature Conservancy. A Park Service staff member described the preserve as “one of the last places in the world where it’s still quiet.”
Amen.
In addition to walking several of the trails in the preserve, we moseyed around the nearby towns of Cottonwood Falls (Pop. 901) and Strong City (Pop. 543).
Long ago, the towns, which are about two miles apart, were connected by a trolley car, which ran straight up Broadway in Cottonwood Falls and ended right in front of the Chase County Courthouse, the oldest operating courthouse in Kansas (early 1870s).
Here’s some of what we saw. I strongly recommend this trip. We spent two days there, although it could be done in one, if you pushed it.
The ranch house on the Preserve, formerly the Z-bar Ranch. The house was built in 1881 for cattleman Stephen F. Jones.
The landscape wasn’t the only beauty in the area.
From the Gateway to the West, Patty looks for signs of life.
Oh, oh. Somebody call the sheriff!
One of many great views.
One-room schoolhouse, which operated from 1884 to 1930.
The desks are not original, but the bench at front left is.
Towns in Chase County, then and now.
Chase County Courthouse
County Commission meeting room
Another interior view
Bird’s eye view, from third floor of courthouse.
Sassy, the tour dog.
The Emma Chase Cafe on “the strip.” Quaint but not very good. How can a small-town diner screw up liver and onions and fried chicken?
House advice at the Emma Chase (although the pie isn’t that good either).
JimmyCsays: At the juncture of journalism and daily life in KC 
Thank you for this Fitz! I’ve been to this area a number of times having grown up in the Flint Hills in Wamego. It IS quiet and you can see forever! Kate
I knew we were out in your home turf, Kate…Thought about you.
Very nice pics.
Did you get to go into the Z Bar ranch house?
Unfortunately, we ran out of time and didn’t get to tour the house, Chuck…Have you been there? If so, what can you tell us about it?
No I havn’t, it just looked to me like a really nice time.
:)
Been there many times. It’s beautiful! Best way to tour the Flint Hills is by motorcycle.
No competition is how you screw up liver and onions and fried chicken. Apparently they’ve never heard of the heat and eat “home cookin'” meals available from Sysco, Sygma, US Foods or McLane foodservice.
We saw a lot of motorcyclists, and they were all very mannerly.
A visual PrairyErth. Well done Jimmy Least Heat-Fitz