Geary County Historical Society & Museums

Wetzel Cabin

 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
The cabin has been beautifully restored and was dedicated on May 7, 2006.
Click here for photos of the event

 

How to get to the Wetzel Cabin
 


                                            Driving Directions
From the East (Topeka):  I 70 to exit 295 (Hwy 77)  Turn right off of ramp on Hwy 77 N.  About 2 miles.  Take the first exit after the stoplight (K-18).  At top of the ramp turn left.  Approximately 3/4 of a mile on your left at the intersection of Spring Valley Road and K-18 you will find the site.  Entrance is off of Spring Valley Road.

From the West (Salina): I 70 to exit 295 (Hwy 77)  Turn left off of ramp and same directions as above.

 

The Wetzel Cabin in January 2, 2004

View from the side on January 2, 2004
   

The historic Wetzel cabin was built in 1857.  The cabin was built in 1857 for a former army dragoon, Louis Kettlehouse. After he died the C. F. Wetzel family moved into the cabin in 1861.  At the time the cabin cost $225.00.  The home stood near Clarks Creek, about 5 miles south of I-70 on Highway 57.  On August 17, 1861, the first congregation of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod in Kansas was organized in this cabin.  F.W. Lange used the home to lead the first Lutheran worship service.  The cabin was restored in 1955 by the Lutheran  Kansas Layman's League.  In the past it had been maintained by the Kansas Lutheran Historical Society.  The Geary County Historical Society has since taken over the ownership of it.  The home has been moved twice in past years from it's original location and was moved to it's new home at the Spring Valley School Site in the spring of 2004.

 

Historic Wetzel Cabin moves!

On August 24, 2004, after approval from the National Park Service, which caused a bit of a delay, the Wetzel Cabin was finally moved out to it's new home on the Spring Valley Site.  It underwent some repair and restoration work to rebuild the chimney, and some foundation work. 
See below for photos of the restoration.

 

Wetzel Cabin under restoration
 

Click on the images to see larger pictures.  Several boards that were rotting out have been replaced and the chinking on all of the cabin has been replaced.  The chimney has also been rebuilt and can be functional. Our thanks to Rick Carr who had  put in many hours to restore the cabin in between doing his normal job.