This 2600’ metal truss bridge spans the Missouri River at Atchison.  It was built by the WPA in 1937.  Sverdrup and Parcel Consulting Engineers of St. Louis designed the bridge.  It was determined to be eligible for listing on the National Register in 2000.  In 2003, the National Trust for Historic Preservation listed this bridge on its 11 Most Endangered as representative of several metal truss bridges up and down the Missouri River which have been or are being demolished. 

Grainfield Opera House – Grainfield

This 2-story brick structure has an ornate cast iron façade manufactured by Mesker Brothers of St. Louis.  The 50’X 100’ building is located at the corner of 3^rd and Main.   Much of the exterior maintenance and repair has been completed but the small group of community volunteers has reached the point of needing more help to get this wonderful building, visible from I-70, into productive service.  They have had two Heritage Trust Fund grants.  That has meant raising the matching funds which totaled $30,000.  The Lions Club owns the building and does most of the volunteer work in this town of just over 300 people.

The Biggs Building – Glasco

The Biggs Buildings is a small 1-story limestone building on a prominent corner of  Glasco.  The façade, with its cast iron posts manufactured by Great Western in Leavenworth, appears relatively intact.  However, closer examination reveals ceiling material hanging into the interior as a result of roof leaks.  The limestone walls are in great need of tuckpointing.

Republic Hotel/Collins Building – nominated by Belleville Main Street, Inc., this 1886 brick and timber framed structure was once a bustling railroad hotel located just off the town square in downtown Belleville.  Belleville has often been referred to as the Crossroads of America, as it sits at the juncture of Highways 36 and 81.  The twenty-two hotel rooms on the upper floor of the building, which are largely still intact, were often full of railroad and highway travelers.  The building currently houses three businesses on the lower level, which are very important to the community.  While the basic structure of the building is in apparent good condition, the interior of the building and the exterior facade are in a state of disrepair with areas of masonry on the front facade in danger of falling.  The owner has recently installed a new roof, but numerous others repairs are necessary to preserve this important building, and the necessary funds for this work are not available at this time.

Brick Streets – There have been requests for information on city ordinances or regulations which protect and preserve brick streets.

Caldwell Opera House – Funds have been raised to repair exterior masonry, paint window frames, repair cornices and stucco the exterior.  This Opera House was included in the KSHS survey of Kansas Opera Houses.

Pottawatomie County Fair Pavilion at Onaga - Contract has been let for the restoration work.