Take a Self-Guiding Tour of the Ranch

Explore the historic ranch buildings and learn about ranching in the Flint Hills.

NPS Photo

Stephen F. Jones named his ranch the Spring Hill Farm and Stock Ranch for the springs found on the hill west of the house. The main ranch house is located two miles north of Strong City, Kansas, facing east. It was built on a hillside with a two-story exposure on the upper side and a three story on the lower level. The architecture represents a blending of Renaissance influence and Plains Vernacular. It is a Second Empire style of 19th century architecture with a mansard roof enclosing the upper story with dormers and projecting mansard gables, cornices, brackets, and stone quoins at the corners of the house.

The three-level limestone barn measures 60 feet by 110 feet and is built into the hillside. It originally was roofed with 5,000 pounds of tin and sported a very large double-header windmill. Other outbuildings make up the ranch complex and are available for viewing.

Visit the Virtual Tour section for more information on the structures.

Visit the Guided Tours section for more tours.

Details

Duration

60 Minutes

It may take roughly an hour to visit all the buildings. 

Activity

Self-Guided Tours - Walking

Take a brochure and follow along as you learn more about the ranching legacy of the years of large ranching organizations and the end of the open range era. Available is also a cell phone tour that provides more information. Telephone number is provided on the waysides around the ranch. 

Pets Allowed

Yes with Restrictions

Pets not allowed inside the buildings, but outside is welcomed. Service animals are welcome inside the buildings. 

Activity Fee

No

Entrance fees may apply, see Fees & Passes information.

Reservations

No

Season

Year Round

Time of Day

Day

Buildings begin opening at 8:30 a.m. and are locked at 4:30 p.m. Closed on major holidays.

Accessibility Information

At this time the house is not wheelchair accessible, but a binder showing interior photos is available. The barn's middle floor is wheelchair accessible. Service animals allowed in both structures.