The Hickey Building

Owned by Patrick Hickey, the first Hickey Building was a collection of wooden structures that housed the M.M. Fuller law office, the printshop for the Ellis Headlight newspaper, Ramsey's Barber Shop, and the A.J. Cromb Candy and Notions store. During the 1890s, the original wood structure burned and was replaced with a two-story limestone building. In 1904, the building continued to house doctors and dentists along with a gambling den and pool hall, reputed to attract gamblers seeking to separate the town's workmen from their money. It also became home to a general store, roller rink, fraternal lodges, sleeping quarters, private clubs, the VFW Hall, and a dance hall. Its checkered history ended after considerable damage from the 1957 flood led the State Fire Marshal to condemn it. Before demolition, it was damaged further by fire on Thanksgiving Day in 1962, and in April 1963 the Hickey Building was torn down, leaving the site vacant since.

Ellis, Kansas · United States