Cottonwood Ranch Is A Stunning Stone Historic Home In Kansas From 1885

Is anyone up for a detour on their next road trip? This stone home has quite a bit of history behind it, and we think it's a wonder to have this home still standing and perfect for education about old Kansas living. This little chunk of history is a big part of how early Kansans lived and built their homes out of the stone around them.

Today's historic spot is Cottonwood Ranch, a stone home built in Studley, Kansas that still stands today.

Originally made by the Pratt family from native stone with a sod roof and dirt floor, the house was eventually upgraded to the home you see today, with extra wings and a roof that would stand through the winter and years to come.

In 1983, the property was listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the John Fenton Pratt Ranch. It includes stained glass windows and a detailed record of the home's changes, and more.

The current curator of this ranch turned museum knows all about the home and every detail of it, though the tours here are self-guided. If you're lucky, you can chat with Don and he'll tell you even more than the signs ever could.

The furnishings and current areas of the ranch were all original to the home, and look as if the owners are just out for the day. There's a lot of character in every room you see.

Today, a self-guided tour and a quick hello to the animal residents are a great way to learn a bit about local Kansas history during your travels.

Unless otherwise posted, the ranch is open from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m. on Thursdays through Saturdays. They are also only open May through September.

For more information about this site, refer to the Kansas Historical Society website. For updates on closings and more, check out the Friends of the Cottonwood Ranch Facebook page.

Does your area of Kansas have a beautiful piece of history just waiting to be explored? We'd love to hear about it! Submit your ideas to our Nomination Page and we'll take a look.