National and State Registers of Historic Places
Whitewater Falls Stock Farm
433 Falls Road
Towanda (Butler County)
Listed in National Register
2014-10-08
Architect: Charles, Ulysses Grant
Category: agricultural outbuilding
Thematic Nomination: Historic Agriculture Related Resources of Kansas
The Whitewater Falls Stock Farm near Towanda is home to one of the state's most iconic barns. J.W. Robison purchased this prime land along the Whitewater River in Butler County and established his stock farm in 1884. In 1895, his son J.C. joined the business, which specialized in raising a breed of draft horse known as the Percheron. Their registered stock won awards at the World’s Fair, the American Royal, and many state fairs. The farm also grew into a major cattle feeding operation in the early 20th century. Not long after J.C.’s death, the business and farm were sold in 1945. At the time of nomination, the property consists of the iconic 1909 horse barn designed by Wichita architect Ulysses Grant Charles, an impressive Craftsman-style residence designed by El Dorado architect Carl Muck, and a few outbuildings. The property was nominated as part of the "Historic Agriculture-Related Resources of Kansas" multiple property nomination for its agriculture history and architectural significance.
