Officially organized and founded as a city in 1870, Ellis first laid out and used Edwards Street, now west 9th. Here the heart of the business district began and grew, offering hotels, saloons, general stores, barber shops, cafes, a post office, hardware and drygoods stores, doctor and dentist offices, express offices, meat markets, drug stores, and many other services. In the mid 1870's Ellis was in its infancy, and about 10 years later the railroad shops still stood at the right side of the scene. The line was first run by the Kansas Pacific Railway, then taken over by the Union Pacific in the 1880's, and it is still operated by the Union Pacific today, though it is no longer a major division point and maintenance center. The only early buildings still standing are the two tall buildings in the center of the later view. The well in that later view was dug by Tom Daly, an early merchant whose store stood across the street north of the well.