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Pets on ParadeDID YOU KNOW?

Topeka Capital-Journal, The, May 11, 2008

The land on which the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve has its headquarters was first developed by Stephen Jones, who moved from Colorado to raise purebred cattle on the grasses of the Flint Hills.

Jones used native limestone quarried from his land to build his home and farm buildings, which include a three-story barn. The stone fence enclosing the property ran 30 miles.

Jones was a leading figure in Strong City as the principal stockholder in the local bank. His business interests included lumber and hardware.

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In 1888, Barney Lantry purchased Jones' 7,000 acres, and the Spring Hill Ranch became a 15,000-acre spread. In 1909, the Benninghoven family bought the part of the ranch that included the home. In 1935, they sold to George Davis, a grain dealer from Kansas City, and his holdings grew to 70,000 acres.

After Davis' death in 1955, most of his estate went into an educational trust. The land continued to be used as a cattle operation for the next 30 years, when it went into a bank trust.

In 1994, the National Park Trust, a nonprofit land conservancy organization, purchased the property. It created a partnership with the National Park Service, which manages the preserve.

Sources: Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve and William Cutler's "History of the State of Kansas" (1883)

Pets on ParadeDID YOU KNOW?

Topeka Capital-Journal, The, May 11, 2008

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