About Chase County, KS

Magnificence! A words often used to describe an amazing landscape in the Flint Hills. Unblemished by modern day conveniences such as telephone lines this is a rolling grassland of unspoiled beauty.

The Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve was created in 1996 and is about 11,000 acres of protected ecosystem that looks a little like "The Land Before Time". Some have described it as the beginning of Earth when they view it.

A three-way partnership protects the land and encourages the development of the Prairie Preserve; the Kansas Park Trust, the National Park Service and The Nature Conservancy help educate people about the region. The nature trails are open daily and many other opportunities such as back-country hiking and wildlife viewing are available so people can experience the area. In addition, bus tours are offered and take you to a high point where you can view the expansive and panoramic view.

Education programs about farming, bird watching and history tell the stories of the land. There is a historic ranch house that is worth your time to tour with interesting history about Stephen F. Jones. He named his ranch the Spring Hill Farm and Stock Ranch for the springs found on the hill west of the house. The main ranch house is located two miles north of Strong City, Kansas, facing east. It was built on a hillside with a two-story exposure on the upper side and a three story on the lower level. The architecture represents a blending of Renaissance influence and Plains Vernacular. It is a Second Empire style of 19th century architecture.

Inside the house the staircase post shows fine detail.

If you are in Chase County Kansas this is definitely worth a stop on your travels through Kansas. The almost 11,000 acres of prairie and rare wildflowers is located 2 miles north of the intersection of US 50 and K-177 and is west of Strong City. Be sure to check out the website www.nps.gov/tapr where you can find very interesting information like that Killdeer just like chickens, ducks, and quail; are born with eyes open and can run just moments after birth.