Apiece of Ellsworth history is for sale. The Insurance Building, 115 N. Douglas Ave., downtown Ellsworth, was recently listed for sale by its current owners, the National Drovers Hall of Fame.

“It wasn’t a decision we made lightly,” Treasurer Dru Richard said. “What our goal is now is hopefully that we can find a commercial buyer. It will require additional investment, especially for the insurance building, to make it a usable building.”

Anita Hoffhines, Hoffhines Real Estate, is the listing agent. Also included with the Insurance Building is the adjacent building at 117 N. Douglas Ave.

“I am excited about the challenge,” she said. “Is it a challenge? Yes it is.”

The building is listed for $197,500.

“We hope that the goal will be fulfilled of saving the building,” Hoffhines said. “All of the donations, time that have been invested will benefit downtown and some business that wants to be in there.”

She said it’s possible an additional $500,000 would be necessary to complete the interior of the building project.

“The exterior is very nice,” she said. “Over $660,000 has been invested in restoration through grants and donations.”

Richard said the National Drovers Hall of Fame, which formed as a 501c3 in 2006, attempted to improve the building’s exterior in phases. The organization acquired it from Economic Development in 2003 and got to work.

“They started off with some fundraisers, did a couple cattle drives,” he said. “(We) had some pretty good donations from the start. Were able to do the first renovation, namely the exterior, in 2008, completing in 2009.”

An additional grant came through in 2020, and the stabilization work was completed in 2021.

“It’s been a slow progress since then,” Richard said. “The building is not occupied, nothing is going on in it since 2021. Five years ago we completed the last grant.

“Insurance costs went up and it’s come to a point where we’re not able to move forward. It’s depleting what resources we do have.

“It’s just the time (to sell it). We discussed this all winter, visited with different leaders in the community (searching for) additional ideas. We really hadn’t come up with any solutions.

“We hope we find that person or group that they will maintain the integrity of the building. So much has been done to the outside.”

The Wellington Insurance Building was individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2006.

According to the Kansas Historical Society website, the building was commissioned by Edward Winslow Wellington, who developed what is known as The Wellington Block, the west side of Douglas Avenue between 1st and 2nd streets.

The building housed Wellington’s real estate and loan office in the Insurance Building in 1887. In February 1888, Central National Bank moved into the Insurance Building. From 1905, until the completion of its new building at 126 N. Douglas Ave. in 1912, Citizens State Bank occupied the building.

Local contractor Frank Easterly remodeled the Insurance Building in 1929, converting the second story to apartments. At one time, John Tanton operated a coin laundry in the building.

Richard said the building has been vacant for many years.

While the building has been under construction and/or vacant, Hoffhines said it is still an attraction for visitors.

Her office is across the street from the building.

“The number of people with out-of-state and out-of-county plates that take pictures — every week somebody is standing out here and taking a picture of the oriel and how cool it is,” she said. “Yet, they can’t go in or buy anything. They think it’s a really cool historic piece of architecture.

“I think it is a draw visually to our downtown, and that we need to find someone who will complete it so it will continue to be a draw to our downtown.”

The mission of the National Drovers Hall of Fame was twofold.

“There were two objectives: save the building, tell the story of the drovers,” Hoffhines said.

“I think we have pretty much accomplished the first goal,” Richard said. “We had stabilized the building. In other words, protected it from the elements.”

Hoffhines said as the board explored options, it sent a letter to donors and supporters. The letter can be found on the organization’s website at nationaldrovershalloffame. org/newsandevents.

In part, the letter outlines the current position of the organization: “For nearly twenty-five years, the National Drovers Hall of Fame has worked to protect that legacy through preservation of the historic Ellsworth Insurance Building. Because of your generosity, the building was saved from demolition, stabilized and restored on the exterior, securing its place on the National Register of Historic Places.”

It explains income hovered around $12,800, while expenses exceeded $24,000. The letter said insurance for the properties is about $9,700 annually. Money was transferred from trust reserves to help cover basic expenses.

“These numbers matter because they show that the current model cannot sustain itself without a significant increase in funding,” the letter states. “Without a major infusion of support, continuing to operate the building as a nonprofit museum is no longer financially practical. ... Rather than slowly depleting reserves, the Board believes it is time to explore a transition that protects donor intent, honors Drover legacy and leads to a lasting and achievable outcome.”

While the board opted to list the buildings for sale, it remains committed to telling the story of drovers (those who drove cattle).

No formal plans or agreements are in place, but Richard said he hopes the future includes additional information at the Ellsworth County Historical Society.

“That is the longer range plan,” he said. “We don’t have an agreement with them. This is what we would like to do. We’ve been in contact with their board — they’ve been included in our discussions.

“How that can be done is another step in the process. We definitely want the money to stay in the community and go toward the historical preservation, specifically the cowtown. It would be nice to have an area devoted specifically to (the drovers). That would be down the road.”

Richard said the board wanted to look to the future.

“It will take a different approach to go forward,” he said. “If (selling the Insurance Building) is what it takes to go forward, this is what we need to do.

“From one standpoint, you might say it’s quitting. Looking at another, in order to put it in somebody else’s hands may make better sense.”

Richard said he has memories of the building from his youth, and hopes the board’s decision to find a new steward for the building will ensure its future.

“This moment does not diminish what has been accomplished,” the letter states. “The building was saved. The history was preserved. The mission was fulfilled. This next chapter is about stewardship and legacy, ensuring the Drovers story remains visible and honored for future generations.”