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HISTORIC RESIDENCES

Cochrun House - earliest surviving residence in Westmoreland (1882)
J.H. Cooper residence (1883)
M.E. Beal residence (1885)
H. L. Gard residence (1883)
Elizabeth McKee residence (1895)
Grand Army of the Republic building - now a private residence (1885)

HISTORIC BUSINESS & BUILDINGS

Pottawatomie Courthouse 
This building is the second oldest courthouse in the state of Kansas and is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Former Westmoreland Grade School - This building now serves as the Pottawatomie County Office Building.
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The Old Robson Brothers Department Store 
Old Star Drugstore
Old Reyers Jewelry Store
Gas Lamp in Mini Park
Shriners Loan Office (1883)
City Meat Market (1885)
City Hall - formerly a pump house for the hand-dug well
Entrance Pillars to Legion Park

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Kansas Pacific Railway Train of empty stock cars at Junction City, Kansas.jpg
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  • 1800's   The area was inhabited by Kansa and Pawnee Indians
     

  • 1819     Pioneers began traveling through the area while following the Oregon Trail
     

  • 1855     The first settlers arrived in Westmoreland
     

  • 1856      A petition was drawn up asking the Legislature to create Pottawatomie County
     

  • 1857      The petition for a new county was granted
     

  • 1858      John McKimens established the first post office
     

  • 1860      The first house in the area now known as Westmoreland was erected
     

  • 1862       Westmoreland's school district was organized and began holding classes
     

  • 1870       A sawmill was built which furnished lumber for most of the early buildings in the area
     

  • 1871       The original town plat was prepared
     

  • 1882       Westmoreland was established as the county seat
     

  • 1884       Residents generated $10,000 to build the courthouse
     

  • 1886       Westmoreland began to become a railroad town
     

  • 1898       After several attempts, bonds were passed to establish a rail line, the Kansas and Southern Railroad
     

  • 1902       The Kansas and Southern Railroad went bankrupt
     

  • 1912       The Westmoreland Interurban Railway began
     

  • 1915       The owner of the Westmoreland Interurban Railway died tragically and the railway was sold for scrap iron
     

  • 1942       Dr. Thomas Dechairo opened the first hospital in Westmoreland on March 15
     

  • 1975        The Westmoreland Community Care Home was opened
     

  • 1982         The Dechairo Hospital merged with Stormont Vail in Topeka
     

  • 2013         The new Pottawatomie County Justice Center was opened

TIMELINE

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