Sunday, September 9, 2007

DEXTER, KS. HISTORIC WALKING TOUR.











1. MASONIC LODGE BUILDING.
111 N Main. The Dexter Lodge was organized in 1874. The Lodge purchased the upper floor of this building, the Opera House, in 1923, for $3,000.00 Two years later they purchased the rest of the building.

2. HELIUM MEMORIAL PARK.
109 N Main. Thjis sight is the location on one of the first HELIUM wells in the United States
Helium was first discovered in 1903 at Dexter,Kansas when a new Natural Gas well would not burn. Later, the gas was identified as Helium, The United States Department of Defense took ownership of the gas field for use in national defense. A Helium plant and nitrogen research center were constructed close to the east railroad tracks. Blimps could be landed close for refueling.
This park has been built as a memorial to the Helium production and the residents of Dexter.

3. BAPTIST CHURCH.
202 S Main. This is the original Baptist Church building, finished in April 1911 at a cost of $7,700.00.. The architectural style is classic. Notice the front temple roof of the building and its columns.

4. STONE CABIN.
213 S Maple..Built in 1946. B.F. McDaniel, a banker of Dexter had this cabin built to house his Native American artifact collection. He had collected many items from the area and needed a weather-proof display for them. The building is constructed of Native stone from the local pastures surrounding Dexter.

5. CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
202 S Maple. Established in 1885. Sanctuary was constructed in 1900. The south wing of the church was constructed from the lumber from Cameron School in 1964. Their caroler bells play everyday at 9:00 am and 6:00 pm.

6. RAILROAD TRACK BED.
The Missouri-Pacific Railroad ran from Winfield to Dexter to Hoosier and Coffeeville. Construction finished in 1887. It is located along the east side of town, running mostly north to south. Another line branched off at the north edge of town and looped south west to Arkansas City. The train stop included a depot and grain dock. Trains ran four times per day during its busiest years.

7. DEXTER HISTORIC HOTEL.
120 N Maple.. This building was constructed in 1910 as a hotel. Later, it became a private residence. It is currently being remodeled for a Bed and Breakfast.

8. DEXTER PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
The Old gymnasium was constructed in 1948.......The elementary building was constructed in 1971..............The high school was constructed in 1980.
The Original Dexter School, two-story native stone, burned in August 1913. Until a new building could be constructed, school for all grades was housed in the city's four churches, Baptist - Methodist - Presbyterian and Christian, and upstairs of the bank.

The above information courtesy "The Gathering Place" 104 S Main in Dexter.




** the old photo is Dexter Bank Building at Central & Main