One of the most unique aspects of this homestead is the fact that it is located just under 1/2 mile off of the road and provides unrivaled seclusion and privacy without requiring the purchase of a large sum of land. The setting of the farmstead provides unparalleled views of the Flint Hills, as well as fertile hay ground and timber along Turkey Creek. Sitting at one of the highest points of the ranch you’ll find the main house, which is 2.5 stories and roughly 2,600 square feet surrounded by mature catalpa trees. The main floor has a full bathroom, kitchen, a living/dining space, and a large living area, which can be entered by the front door. The second floor has 4 bedrooms and 1 full bathroom. From the landing on the second floor, a stairwell goes up to the octagonal tower, which has windows on all sides. It is said that the original owner built this in order to look through binoculars to see everything going on at the ranch at any given time. The east side of the house showcases the 3 pillars leading to the front, door along with a carport on the northeast corner.

Sitting east/northeast of the main house across the main drive, there is a 2,100 square foot modular home with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms built in 2003 that served as residence for the hired hand who worked on the ranch. This home has a utility/mud room, large kitchen, ample living space, and a large master suite and bathroom. Two separate Generac propane generators supply the main home and guest home during power outages.

The additional structures on the property include the privy and shed, Frank Wells’ office, sheep and hog barn, horse barn, multiple sheds, the foreman’s or shepherd’s house, tornado cellar, ice house, bunkhouse, and two newer metal buildings. The sheep and hog barn, built in 1881, is one of the most impressive buildings I’ve ever seen. At 32’x394’, built of limestone with a metal roof, the sheer length of this building will make you gasp. Just east of the sheep barn is the two-story, 30’x80’ limestone horse barn constructed in 1900. Built into a hill, you walk into the second level from the west into a hay/storage area with openings in the floor that drop into the hay feeders in the 9 stalls below on the bottom level. In addition to the stalls, there is a tack room and staging area before leading out into the corrals east of the barn. This building is claimed to be one of the best preserved buildings in the district. The two newer buildings are a 25’x25’ metal building with a sliding door just north of the house and a 42’x60’ Morton building with sliding doors on either end sitting east of the sheep barn.

Another impressive feature about the site is the dry-laid stone fence that comprises approximately 850 feet in different sections. Multiple corrals and pens can be found both on the east and northwest sides of the property, but the main set of pens and loading chute flanks the sheep barn on the west side. Because this is a working ranch, an easement will be granted to the current owners and tenants to allow for unloading and loading cattle, as well as accessing the hay ground located behind the homestead.

Additional information, historic designation paperwork, and disclosures are available upon request. This paperwork outlines many of the details and photos of each of the improvements on the property that have allowed the historic designations.

The opportunities for this historic farmstead are endless, as it could be a bed and breakfast, hunting lodge headquarters, full time residence, or a weekend getaway with features and pieces of history that can’t be recreated. The property sits 58 minutes from Wichita, 2 hours 30 minutes from Kansas City, 1 hour from Emporia, 30 minutes from El Dorado, and 30 minutes from Marion. Call now for a private showing and additional information.

Property Features

-20 +/- acres

-1/2 mile easement driveway providing maximum seclusion

-Incredible Flint Hills setting overlooking Turkey Creek

-Historic designations on state and national level

-Main home is 2,600 sq. ft. and 2.5-stories

-4 bedrooms, 2 baths

-Octagonal tower on highest floor

-Guest house is 2,100 sq. ft. modular built in 2003

-3 bedrooms, 2 baths with large master suite and living space

-Generac propane generators on both homes

-Multiple historic outbuildings

-32’x394’ limestone sheep/hog barn

-30’x80’ limestone horse barn

-Privy and shed

-Frank Wells’ office

-Multiple sheds

-Foreman’s or shepherd’s house

-Tornado cellar

-Ice house

-Bunkhouse

-Corrals and pens in 2 locations

-Dry-laid stone fence

-Main corrals west of sheep barn will have an easement for current owners/tenant to load/unload cattle and drive to access hay ground

-58 minutes from Wichita

-2 hours 30 minutes from Kansas City

-1 hour from Emporia

-30 minutes from El Dorado

-30 minutes from Marion