HISTORIC ELLIS TRAIL SIGN DEDICATION

Thursday, January 21, 2021 1:30 pm

Ellis Rail Road Museum Complex – 911 Washington Street

Ellis, Kansas

The Nicodemus Historical Society & Museum is sponsoring a dedication for the installation of the Ellis Trail sign in Ellis at the Railroad Museum complex. The sign project for the ‘Ellis Trail’ has been underway since the summer of 2020. The first sign installed on the trail was on September 17, 2020 at the historic Walz Homestead about 10 miles north of Ellis. The Ellis Trail is the route early settlers of Nicodemus, Graham and Rooks counties travelled to and from the railhead at Ellis. The Ellis sign is the second to be installed on the trail, but marks the beginning of the actual trail from Ellis at the depot to Nicodemus 35 miles north.

The Ellis Trail l 3’x5’ sign will be installed within the railroad museum complex, just behind the white rail fence, on the southwest corner of the beautifully updated railroad complex. One should visit the museum and the beautiful complex with its large murals on the south side of the new engine house, and take the children for a ride on the miniature train beginning April 1.

An actual wagon trail, walking trail, and an unidentified stop on the trail were discovered several years ago after lengthy discussion with area residents Leroy Walz and Roy Acheson, both who have property along the trail. Angela Bates, historian and Executive Director the Nicodemus Historical Society and Museum, was taken to see the wagon ruts, revealing the actual ‘Nicodemus Wagon Trail’. The ruts were located about a mile west of Leroy’s farm. At the Henry Walz homestead, family history identified a walking path crossing their homestead, used by Nicodemus settlers traveling to and from Ellis during the 1880s.

The last find on the trail was discovered and confirmed by a letter in the Ola Wilson archive collection at the museum. The letter, from Abram Hall, 1879 Graham County Census Taker revealed the actual location of Happy Hollow, a place where travelers spent the night. Angela Bates and Roy Acheson spent many days retracing the route and discussing possible locations of Happy Hollow. But Roy’s opinion of its location was confirmed when the letter in the collection was found.

The route will include the walking and wagon trails that cross into Rooks and Graham counties. The trail will also include locations of historic post offices in route to Ellis from Nicodemus (Kebar, Cresson, Amboy, and Mendota). When all signs are installed, one can take a self-guided auto tour along the tail visiting various historic locations. A brochure is being developed to accompany the trial and made available throughout the region.

An Ellis Trail Re-enactment of walking, traveling by wagon and/or horse back on the trail is being planned for September 2021. Look for up-coming announcements for this BIG event open to the public. Anyone interested in more information about the re-enactment walk to Nicodemus, please contact Angela Bates.

For more information contact: Angela Bates, Executive Director (785) 839-8200