National and State Registers of Historic Places
Keystone Ranch
2910 47th Terr.
Burns vicinity (Marion County)
Listed in National Register
Jul 10, 2017
Architect: Unknown
Category: Agricultural District
Thematic Nomination: Historic Agriculture Related Resources of Kansas
Established in the early 1880s, Keystone Ranch is significant for its association with Marion County’s ranching history. From 1881 to 1902, German immigrant Frank A. Wells acquired 1,800 acres in the southeastern portion of the county where he established a sheep ranch. During his tenure, Wells constructed most of the extant structures at the ranch. After Wells’ death in 1913, the ranch was sold to T.J. Grace, whose family continues to own the entire 1,800 acres. Although the focus shifted from sheep to hogs, cattle, and horses, the ranch buildings continued to support the agricultural functions first established by Wells. Grace constructed a number of additional outbuildings, which were in place by 1960. Today Keystone Ranch is an excellent example of the evolution of ranching in this part of Kansas.
