Wilson, Kansas

Founded: 1873
Population: 834
Elevation: 1689 feet
Latitude: 38° 49' 30" N
Longitude: 98° 28' 30" W
School District: USD 328
ZIP code: 67490
Area Code: 785

Description

Wilson is located in northern Ellsworth [EW] county just south of I-70. There's a pretty downtown with lots of nice 19th century stone buildings. Signs of local pride in the Czech traditions of the area are everywhere.

The old stone city jail's architecture is unique; it's kind of hidden in an alley but worth finding.

The stone opera house dates from 1901.

There is a fancy turn-of-the-century hotel in the downtown area.

The Kansas Originals Market out by the freeway (I-70) is a tourist information center and interesting place to visit. Various handmade items are for sale, and they have craft demonstrations on Sunday afternoons.

History

In 1865, a Butterfield stagecoach station was built a half mile south of the present site of Wilson. "Attica" and "Bosland" were early names for the town before the U. S. Post Office decided it was "Wilson" in 1873. Large numbers of immigrants from Czechoslovakia in the 1870s gave the area a unique culture.

Schools

USD 328 (785) 472-5241 Lorraine, Bushton, Holyrood, Wilson
238 S. Main / Lorraine, KS 67459
Wilson Grade School (785) 658-3555 / 420 24th St.
Wilson High School (785) 658-2202 / 2911 Avenue D

Library

Lang Memorial Library (785) 658-3648

Museums

Czech Opera House & Museum (785) 658-3343 Highway 40

Churches

Catholic Parish Center (785) 658-3361 / 2811 Avenue D
First Baptist Church (785) 658-0149 / 456 2nd Rd
Immanuel Lutheran Church (785) 658-2252 / 2819 Ave F,
Presbyterian Church (785) 658-2191 / 319 24th St.
United Methodist Church (785) 658-3490 / 2404 Avenue F

Newspapers

Wilson World (785) 658-2235 / 2538 Avenue E

Businesses

Kansas Originals Market (785) 658-2602 - Kansas art & crafts
I-70 at K232 (north of town)
Lake Wilson Guide Service (785)-658-3333 / 709 W 24th St. - Camper Rental
Shaw's Fine Foods (785) 658-2120 / 2546 Avenue E - Czech sausage
Wilson Recreation Center (785) 658-3343 Ave E & Hwy 40
Wilson State Bank (785) 658-3441 / 422 26th St.
Wilson Variety (785) 658-2570 / 2519 Avenue E

Government Emergency - 911

City Hall (785) 658-2272 / 2407 Avenue E
Post Office (785) 658-2368 / 2404 Avenue E

___________________

Wilson Chamber of Commerce
(785) 658-2211
2407 Avenue E / P. O. Box 328
Wilson, KS 67490