The Midland Hotel is on National Register of Historic Places Wilson, Kansas began with a Butterfield Overland Express station in 1865 and the Union Pacific Railroad Station in 1868, but wasn't officially named Wilson until 1874. The community markets itself at the "Czech Capital of Kansas" and has an annual Czech Fest the final weekend in July, but I am more impressed with the more than 2 dozen limestone buildings dating from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. One of the best known buildings in town is the Wilson Czech Opera House which was once the social hall for the community. Until September of 2009 the Opera House was still used for community events it has a small museum, dining area, ballroom, and stage, but a fire severely damaged the building at that time and it is closed. Funds are being raised to suse the shell of the Opera House as part of a new facility. The Midland Hotel was originally named the Power Hotel and built in 1889. Although it was severely damaged in a 1902 fire, the interior was completely replaced and in the early 1900s it was one of the finest hotels in Kansas. After being vacant for 10 year, the hotel was modernized and reopened in 2003 with 28 rooms and a full service restaurant. The Midland Hotel was one of the sets in the 1972 movie Paper Moon starring Ryan and Tatum O'Neal. The upper story of the Wilson City Jail was a water tank, with the lower level used by the town constable to hold prisoners until they could be transported to the county jail.
copyright 2006-2022 by Keith Stokes |
