National Register Listing

Lane County Community High School

a.k.a. Dighton High School

200 S. Wichita Ave., Dighton, KS
Local significance of the building:
Education; Architecture

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 2005.

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.

education architecture
The geographic center of the contiguous United States is located in a field near Belle Fourche, South Dakota, but a marker for it is located in a small town called Belle Plaine, Kansas.
Kansas random facts
Lane County, Kansas has a rich and varied history that dates back to its settlement in the late 19th century. The area was originally home to Native American tribes, including the Cheyenne, Arapaho, and Comanche, who used the land for hunting and gathering. However, in the 1800s, European settlers began to arrive in the region.

Lane County was officially organized in 1886 and named after James H. Lane, a prominent Kansas senator during the Civil War. The county's economy was primarily based on agriculture, with farmers cultivating wheat, corn, and sorghum. The arrival of the railroad in the early 20th century facilitated trade and further economic growth.

During the Dust Bowl era in the 1930s, Lane County, like many other parts of the Great Plains, was hit hard by severe drought and soil erosion. Many farmers were forced to abandon their land, leading to a decline in population. However, in the decades that followed, advancements in irrigation technology and improved farming practices helped to revive the agricultural industry in the county.

Today, Lane County continues to be predominantly rural, with agriculture playing a crucial role in its economy. The county is also known for its scenic beauty, with attractions such as the Little Pyramids and Monument Rocks drawing tourists from far and wide. Overall, Lane County's history reflects the challenges and resilience of the people who have called this area home for generations.

This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Lane County, Kansas.

  • 1855 - Lane County, Kansas is established as a county.
  • 1880 - The town of Dighton becomes the county seat.
  • 1917 - The Lane County Historical Society is founded.
  • 1933 - The Dust Bowl severely affects Lane County, causing widespread crop failures and economic hardship.
  • 1950 - The county population reaches its peak at over 4,000 residents.
  • 1970 - The county population begins a decline due to changing agricultural practices and economic factors.
  • 1998 - The Lane County Courthouse, built in 1886, is added to the National Register of Historic Places.
  • 2010 - The county population is just over 2,000 residents.