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The Elmdale School District No. 1 grade
school. Built in 1895 from native
limestone.
school. Built in 1895 from native
limestone.
A grand structure that needs a little TLC.
Where is Elmdale
Elmdale is a very small town located in beautiful Chase County. Chase County is located in
the heart of the Flint Hills of Kansas just West of Emporia. Elmdale is situated off U.S. Hwy 50
only 25 miles from Emporia.
the heart of the Flint Hills of Kansas just West of Emporia. Elmdale is situated off U.S. Hwy 50
only 25 miles from Emporia.
A Brief History
Elmdale was established on land originally granted in 1865 from the US government to
Elizabeth M. Brown, the widow of a veteran of the War of 1812. The Elmdale Town Company
was formed by Stephen Wood in 1879. At one time, it was a thriving railroad community of
several hundred people with stores, hotels, and schools. After a devastating flood in 1951, a
dike was built around the town, but in 1998, it flooded again. With each successive flood and
changing economic conditions, Elmdale has lost in population to where today only 30 or so
still live there.
Elizabeth M. Brown, the widow of a veteran of the War of 1812. The Elmdale Town Company
was formed by Stephen Wood in 1879. At one time, it was a thriving railroad community of
several hundred people with stores, hotels, and schools. After a devastating flood in 1951, a
dike was built around the town, but in 1998, it flooded again. With each successive flood and
changing economic conditions, Elmdale has lost in population to where today only 30 or so
still live there.
From the second floor, looking
southeast over the Cottonwood
River valley.
southeast over the Cottonwood
River valley.
The ripple effect is a concept that everything has an
effect. If a stone is dropped into a liquid, ripples,
small waves, will radiate across the surface. The
Ripple Effect Project is designed to revive a small
town in Kansas by taking the old grade school
(built in 1895) and creating a clean, usable space
with historical significance. This project is the
brainchild of my compliment and myself.
We have recently acquired the stone grade school,
a brick gymnasium, and a peach orchard all
located within the city limits of Elmdale, Ks. Our
first goal is to clean-up the properties and,
hopefully, inspire others to follow suit. We may
have to salvage the gym because of structural
problems; however, we will find a use for the
grade school. Anyone with ideas is invited to
share them.
effect. If a stone is dropped into a liquid, ripples,
small waves, will radiate across the surface. The
Ripple Effect Project is designed to revive a small
town in Kansas by taking the old grade school
(built in 1895) and creating a clean, usable space
with historical significance. This project is the
brainchild of my compliment and myself.
We have recently acquired the stone grade school,
a brick gymnasium, and a peach orchard all
located within the city limits of Elmdale, Ks. Our
first goal is to clean-up the properties and,
hopefully, inspire others to follow suit. We may
have to salvage the gym because of structural
problems; however, we will find a use for the
grade school. Anyone with ideas is invited to
share them.
THE RIPPLE EFFECT PROJECT.COM
Everything Is Something!
Everything Is Something!
ELMDALE, KANSAS
What is The Ripple Effect Project?
The Vision of The Ripple Effect Project
Our vision of Elmdale is of a thriving community of retirees and artisans that, like us, find the
Flint Hills of Kansas the ideal place to live. There is a shortage of available property for
development in Chase County, and even if one has the property, developing access, utilities,
and water can be quite expensive. Elmdale already has all of the amenities necessary. The
only requirement is the houses be built above flood levels. That would be about six feet above
grade. Think of a beach community of raised homes in Kansas. All that is needed is for
people with vision and a desire for small town living to come in and invest in lots and build
their dreams.
Building your dream is still possible in Elmdale. Chase County and the City of Elmdale have
very few restrictions on what a person can do for themselves. The motto seems to be, "If you
are big enough, do it." I, personally, built a small cottage in 1999 that stands 9 feet above the
ground. It is referred to locally as "the tree house". The 2 lots that it stands on were
purchased for just over a thousand dollars. The same thing can be done today by you.
Imagine being able to have your home free and clear. What a sense of relief and
accomplishment that comes with owning your home and the land upon which it stands. All
that is required is the vision and the desire.
Flint Hills of Kansas the ideal place to live. There is a shortage of available property for
development in Chase County, and even if one has the property, developing access, utilities,
and water can be quite expensive. Elmdale already has all of the amenities necessary. The
only requirement is the houses be built above flood levels. That would be about six feet above
grade. Think of a beach community of raised homes in Kansas. All that is needed is for
people with vision and a desire for small town living to come in and invest in lots and build
their dreams.
Building your dream is still possible in Elmdale. Chase County and the City of Elmdale have
very few restrictions on what a person can do for themselves. The motto seems to be, "If you
are big enough, do it." I, personally, built a small cottage in 1999 that stands 9 feet above the
ground. It is referred to locally as "the tree house". The 2 lots that it stands on were
purchased for just over a thousand dollars. The same thing can be done today by you.
Imagine being able to have your home free and clear. What a sense of relief and
accomplishment that comes with owning your home and the land upon which it stands. All
that is required is the vision and the desire.
I have been doing a little cleaning up
around the old school. This year is
"reunion year". There is an alumni reunion
every other year. Even though I won't be
able to have everything cleaned up in time,
I hope to have the building visible.. It
wasn't when I started.
around the old school. This year is
"reunion year". There is an alumni reunion
every other year. Even though I won't be
able to have everything cleaned up in time,
I hope to have the building visible.. It
wasn't when I started.
