Atchison County Historical Society

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Atchison County Historical Society The Atchison County Historical Society is dedicated to preserving, promoting, recording and sharing the history of Atchison County, Kansas since 1967.

Today, we received six pictures of an event in Atchison. Out of all the pictures, we only recognize four of the folks. ...
10/21/2026

Today, we received six pictures of an event in Atchison. Out of all the pictures, we only recognize four of the folks. We don't know the location of the photos but believe they were all in Atchison. They dress looks like 1960's.

We have added some items to our LFM/Rockwell Exhibits thanks to William Barthel. We have a model of the Abrahms tank an...
10/15/2026

We have added some items to our LFM/Rockwell Exhibits thanks to William Barthel. We have a model of the Abrahms tank and clay models of the important parts made here in Atchison for the said tank. We also received a model of one of the RR trucks made in Atchison. All those parts made by Rockwell are painted in white on the model.

We could use some help trying to identify the School, teacher and some of the students. We believe this photo was taken...
10/14/2026

We could use some help trying to identify the School, teacher and some of the students. We believe this photo was taken in the late 1950's.
On the back row from the left is Ron Baker, Harrison Baker. On the second row on left end is Bill Shell. We don't know any of the others. Ron Baker and Bill Shell graduated from high school in 1964. Harrison Baker graduated in 1962.
Thanks for any help we can get.

Glenda Purkis was surprised yesterday with a birthday party at the Santa Fe Depot.
10/04/2026

Glenda Purkis was surprised yesterday with a birthday party at the Santa Fe Depot.

Thanks to everyone that came to the ribbon cutting this morning. It was a great turnout.
10/03/2026

Thanks to everyone that came to the ribbon cutting this morning. It was a great turnout.

A wall map has been created for our research office in the Santa Fe Depot Museum. On it you will find the locations of ...
10/01/2026

A wall map has been created for our research office in the Santa Fe Depot Museum. On it you will find the locations of old schools, cemeteries and historic points of interest in our county. It's here for all to use.

We completed our Land Surveying Exhibit today. For those interested in how legal descriptions are done and why we do it...
10/01/2026

We completed our Land Surveying Exhibit today. For those interested in how legal descriptions are done and why we do it the way we do, it would be informative. Come visit us on a rainy day.

Today we were given the chance to scan a photo of 115 & 117 N 2nd St. We learned that the houses were used as a boardin...
09/30/2026

Today we were given the chance to scan a photo of 115 & 117 N 2nd St. We learned that the houses were used as a boarding house setup in the early part of the 20th century. The house at 115 was built on the location of the L C Challis law office. It is of fame because that is where the AT&SF RR was started.
The boarding house was operated by an incredible lady named Kate Modrell. The papers wrote about her extensively. Photo of the houses and her are embeded herein. Her obituary has also been added. Hope you can read it.
She cared for up to 40 boarders plus a large extended family. Her reputation was known far and wide.
If it wasn't for a local citizen that let us scan the photo, we never had learned this story. Thanks Bill.

We would like everyone to come to our Grand Opening of the Historic Black Business District Museum Oct. 3rd at 10AM.
09/15/2026

We would like everyone to come to our Grand Opening of the Historic Black Business District Museum Oct. 3rd at 10AM.

Our first picture today has been named. The meter maid was Ione Belew. Her daughter gave us the info and this picture ...
09/08/2026

Our first picture today has been named. The meter maid was Ione Belew. Her daughter gave us the info and this picture which is much better.

Address

200 S. 10th Street, Santa Fe Depot
Atchison, KS
66002

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

(913) 367-6238

Website

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