KANSAS –The Kansas Historical Society has nominated 11 sites for the National Register of Historic Places, including two sites in southeastern Miami County. Among the nominations, the New Lancaster General Store at 36688 New Lancaster Street, and the New Lancaster Grange Hall #223 at 12655 West 367th Street in New Lancaster. The New Lancaster General Store was built in 1903 by members of the New Lancaster Grange, and it served as the commercial and social gathering place for this part of rural Miami County through much of the 20th century. The members of the Grange pooled their money to buy shares in the building and continued to operate it as a rural cooperative store for about 25 years. The business became the Smith Brothers General Merchandise. The building has its original storefront. The Grange Hall was built in 1885 as the Beulah Baptist Church. Religious services were held there until 1901 when the Grange bought the property. The Grange met there until 2005 when declining membership prompted the closure and sale of the property. Other area nominations are the Westwood Hills Historic District in Johnson County, and the Saint John the Divine Catholic Church and the Cordell Meeks House in Kansas City, Kansas.
Updated 8/15/13 @ 11:04 pm
