John Kelly Stone Building Put on Kansas Register

Courtesy Jamee Fiore--KSHS

The John Kelly Stone Building at 777 N 1750 Rd. has been approved for listing on the Register of Historic Kansas Places (KHRI #045-4566). Nominated for its association with the early settlement of Douglas County, this agricultural building—with an attached wood-frame addition creating an “ell” on its west side—has characteristics of the longhouse style. It sits on a historic farmstead that also is recognized for historic Oregon-California trail ruts on the property.

The structure was in serious disrepair, with some walls caved in, when owner Gary Price began a reconstruction project in 2013. He collected and organized the fallen stones, searched for artifacts, and stabilized the walls that were still intact. Along with carpentry work, the project required the services of an expert stonemason. Karl Ramberg of Lawrence, working in phases over several years, was able to replace the fallen walls stone by stone using historically compatible mortar. “It was interesting to me,” Ramberg says, “because Gary didn’t have any particular use for the building. He just wanted to see it restored.”

This is an excellent example of a rural property owner recognizing a site with territorial significance and restoring it as a labor of love for future generations. Congratulations to the Price family for this historic listing and a job well done.