Discover Historic Wichita was first published in 1997. A second edition was printed in 2002 with a few minor changes. Since that printing, Wichita property owners have expressed a growing interest in listing their properties in the Register of Historic Kansas Places (RHKP) and the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) and many have been added. Also, a commercial area, the Warehouse and Jobbers District, was listed in 2003 and Wichita’s four historic districts were listed in the RHKP and NRHP in 2004. In this latest edition, additional research was conducted to ensure accuracy.
The brochure is organized alphabetically by the name of the structure. The entries are also numbered to correspond with locations on the map found at the front of the brochure.
An online publication of the Discover Historic Wichita brochure is updated as properties and/or historic districts are added to Wichita’s inventory of listed properties.
Biographical notes of relevant architects have been added to this brochure. Wichita’s periods of economic boom and bust brought these professionals to town to take advantage of building surges. These itinerant architects would practice in Wichita for the period of the boom and then move on to other states following the cycles of economic prosperity. Proudfoot and Bird are most notable of Wichita’s itinerant architects.
If you are interested in learning the history of your property, you may contact the Historic Preservation Office at (316) 268-4421. Other resources include the Local History Section of the Wichita Public Library, Wichita State University Libraries’ Department of Special Collections, and some historic photos of Wichita may be seen at Wichita Photo Archives.
Back to Top