National Register Listing

Colby Community High School

a.k.a. 193-1060-0027

750 W. Third St., Colby, KS
Local significance of the building:
Architecture; Social History

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 2003.

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.

architecture social history education
Kansas was the site of the Brown vs. Board of Education Supreme Court case in 1954, which declared segregation in public schools unconstitutional and paved the way for the Civil Rights Movement.
Kansas random facts
Thomas County is a county located in the state of Kansas, USA. It was established on March 20, 1885, and named after George Henry Thomas, a Union Army general during the American Civil War. Like many counties in Kansas, it was primarily settled by European immigrants in the late 1800s, attracted by the promise of fertile land and opportunities for farming.

Early settlers faced numerous challenges, including droughts and locust plagues, but they persevered and established thriving agricultural communities. The county's main crops initially included corn, wheat, and sorghum. In the early 1900s, the discovery of oil brought economic prosperity to the region, leading to increased population and infrastructure development.

During the Dust Bowl of the 1930s, Thomas County, like much of the Great Plains, experienced severe soil erosion and devastating drought. This period caused widespread economic hardships for the agricultural community. However, in the post-World War II era, advancements in irrigation technology and farming practices helped revive the county's agricultural industry.

Today, Thomas County remains primarily rural, with agriculture playing a vital role in the economy. The county is known for its production of wheat, sorghum, and beef. The town of Colby serves as the county seat and is home to many of the county's institutions, including the Thomas County Courthouse and Colby Community College. Despite challenges throughout its history, Thomas County continues to be a resilient and agricultural-focused community.

This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Thomas County, Kansas.

  • 1885 - Thomas County is established on March 20th.
  • 1887 - Colby becomes the county seat on November 8th.
  • 1893 - The Union Pacific Railroad reaches Colby.
  • 1909 - The Golden Belt Telephone Company completes telephone lines in the county.
  • 1930 - The Dust Bowl devastates agriculture in Thomas County.
  • 1933 - The Civilian Conservation Corps establishes a camp in the county.
  • 1950s - Oil and gas exploration begins in the county.
  • 1963 - Thomas County Courthouse is placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
  • 2006 - The Prairie Museum of Art and History is opened.