Great Bend Post
More than 3,000 people visit the Ellinwood Underground Tunnels each year. Since the 1980s, tours have been given to visitors from around the United States and the world. Some seven years ago, tours were expanded from the Dick Building on the northwest corner of Main and Santa Fe to the Historic Wolf Hotel across the street. Ellinwood Underground City Foundation President Rick Casagrande, former owner of the Dick Building, worked with Wolf Hotel owner Chris McCord, to get the foundation a 501(c)(3) designation as a charitable organization.
"Chris and I were just concerned that, at some point in the future, we would need to make sure that the buildings and the underground in particular, are protected," Casagrande said. "We felt the best way to do that was to put it under the umbrella of a 501(c)(3) so we could make sure, if the buildings were ever sold or changed hands, they could still remain as charitable organizations."
A 90-minute tour of the underground city includes an introduction to Ellinwood's history, as well as stops to the 1887 harness shop, barber shop, and bath house below the Dick Building. The tour then crosses the street to the Wolf Hotel where tourists can check out the 1894 Ellinwood Bank lobby, Wolf Hotel lobby and rooms, and the Sunflower Dining Room. The tour continues below the Wolf Hotel.
Ellinwood originally had tunnels which stretched for two blocks on both side of Main Street. The Ellinwood Underground City Foundation hopes to promote Historical Preservation and ensure the structural integrity and ongoing maintenance of the Historic Wolf Hotel and the Dick Building. The foundation will also encourage Community Engagement by increasing local and visitor participation through immersive guided tours, educational programs, and community events.
By doing this, the foundation can highlight Ellinwood’s unique place in Kansas and American history to a broader audience. This will help in sustaining tourism and continue to develop Ellinwood as a destination for historical tourism, contributing to the local economy and community vitality. By collaborating with local institutions, government bodies and heritage organizations, the Foundation will be able to secure resources and support its initiatives.
Foundation Director Chris McCord said, “As a not-for-profit organization, we will be able to secure funds from governmental and corporate organizations to assist in the maintenance of the Dick Building and Wolf Hotel. In addition, we can now accept private donations which will be tax deductible which will help the Foundation in achieving our goals.”
The foundation is currently raising money to assist in the replacement of the 1920 sidewalks around the hotel building. In addition, a goal is to open an orientation center in the Dick Building which will provide a comfortable and informative space for visitors who have come to tour Ellinwood.