1. Sunnyland
501 N 5th - Built in 1909 for the D.R. Menke family, this grand home held modern innovations like central vacuuming, several plush bathrooms and a ballroom on the third floor. Menke and his family came to Garden City in August of 1878 and opened the first general store. At the time of their arrival, there were but two buildings in town. He was the first postmaster, installed the first telephones and built the town's first electric light plant.
2. 508 N 6th
Ciddie Fulton Stevens, daughter of William and Leticia Fulton - town founders, made this Colonial Revival style house her home after her husband, John Stevens, passed away. This house is especially noted for its refurbished carved trim of the Ionic colonnades on the wood pedestals, an original front door with oval plate glass, painted wood floors and honey-oak staircases.
3. 902 N 6th
Built in 1907 by J.D. Garloch at an estimated cost of $6,031 for lawyer and Senator William H. Thompson. It is commonly known as the "Senator Thompson house" and is of Neoclassic style with Queen Anne influences and Greek Revival details. It is the only house representative of this style in Garden City and one of the few that maintains a high degree of architectural and structural integrity and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
4. 508 N 7th
Built in 1902, this was the original home of R.M. Lawrence who came to Garden City in 1887 to establish a coal business. He was the first president of the Industrial Club, a forerunner of the Chamber of Commerce. Lawrence played an instrumental part in bringing the sugar beet factory to Garden City.
5. Silk Stocking Row
Recently named to the Nation Register of Historic Places, this row of homes (901 N 7th, 907 N 7th, 909 N. 7th, & 911 N. 7th) were built by people (ranchers, businessmen, and civic leaders) who were involved in the development of Garden City and Finney County. It is called "Silk Stocking Row" because of the elegant nature of the residences. The houses are significant for the architectural styles representing Colonial Revival and Prairie School.
6. Stevens Park
Main and Pine - John A. Stevens, one of the city founders and Civil War veteran, gave this land to the county originally for a permanent courthouse. In 1891, the citizens failed to vote bonds for a courthouse and after discussion with Stevens, it was designated as a public park. The park truly took hold in 1905, with a donated fund of $250 for improvements. The concrete band shell was added in 1931, replacing the wooden frame one. The Cannon that rests in Stevens Park was aboard the battleship California during the Civil War.
7. Windsor Hotel
Main and Pine - This four story hotel was sometimes referred to as the "Waldorf of the Prairies". In 1887, John A. Stevens built the hotel next to the Opera House (the Opera House no longer exists). It was built of native stone and brick kilned locally. It contained 125 rooms, no closets and few bathrooms. The most remarkable feature of the hotel is an interior court in the center of the mezzanine, with a full length skylight at its vaulted ceiling. Balconies of carved mahogany balustrades surround the court on three sides. In April of 1972, the Windsor was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was closed as a hotel in 1977.
8. Buffalo Block
The building at the corner of Main and Grant (north side), known as "Jones Marble Block", was built in 1885 by C.J. "Buffalo" Jones. The Buffalo Hotel, located on the second floor, almost immediately outgrew its quarters. In 1886, Jones built the building to the west and moved the hotel operation. These rooms were elaborately furnished. Both buildings were constructed of white stone quarried at Kendall, Kansas.
9. Grant and Lincoln Buildings
On 8th street at the end of Grant Avenue. Notice the dates and names on the top of each building.
10. Courthouse
500 block N 8th - The first courthouse in Finney County was built in October, 1885, at this location. The county soon outgrew this small building and in 1902 was moved to a larger building at 113 South Main Street until the present courthouse was built in 1929. C.J. "Buffalo" Jones Statue in front of the courthouse describes highlights of Jones' life inscribed on the base.
Numbers next to each location correspond with the red numbers on the map.
Ninth Street Finnup Family Residences
Frederick Finnup and family moved to Garden City in 1879. He invested in the town by purchasing deeds to operate a lumber yard and a furniture and clothing store. The family prospered in the land business and were generous to the community with gifts of land and other assets. The homes are located:
11. 401 N 9th Street
Purchased by George Finnup in 1902.
12. 405 N 9th Street
"Finnup House". This house is available for small group meetings. Call 276-3032.
13. 501 N 9th Street
"Cedar Cliff". Built for Edward Finnup.
14. 510 N 9th Street
Edward and Marie Finnup's first home.
15. 515 N 9th Street
Possibly one of Garden City's oldest homes, still in its original location, this remodeled home was the homestead residence of C. J. "Buffalo" Jones.
16. 103 N Main
The granite marker at this site identifies the location of the United States Land Office, established in 1883.
17. Hope House
1112 Gillespie Place. The only one and one-half story Bungalow style house was built in 1908 by E. F. McCombs, a cashier at the sugar beet factory and purchased by Clifford Hope in 1921. Clifford R. Hope served in the U.S. House of Representatives longer than any member from Kansas to date. The Hope House, owned by Clifford, Jr. and Dolores Hope, had been home to three generations of the Hope family.
18. Bungalow Historic District
1000 block of North 4th Street. The Bungalow Historic District is associated with the period between 1925 and 1930 as southwest Kansas, particularly Garden City, continued to experience prosperity and population growth. This historic district comprises a group of four Craftsman style bungalows.
19. Sabine Hall
Located on the corner of 8th and Jones, this building was named for Doctor Andrew Sabine, an early Finney County medical doctor and school board member. Built in 1910, it has housed the junior college, high school, junior high, and is now being used as apartments. It is also listed in the National Register of Historic Places.