Reno County Museum

The Reno County Museum is currently located in two buildings joined together. The longer red bricked building was formerly known as the Rosemont Apartments. Built in 1913, it was considered an upscale complex for eligible bachelors. The complex housed some 45 units and and the building itself once extended almost to the banks of Cow Creek. Through it's 100 year history, it is reported to have picked up a spectre or two and the Museum occasionally has ghost tours. The other building, brown and imposing, was known as the Great American Life Insurance Building. It was constructed in 1918 at a cost of $60,000. For the next 40 years, the insurance company operated out of the first floor while renting out the second floor to various businesses including radio station KWBW. In the 1950s, Great American Life Insurance moved to the Hoke Building at First and Main. Kline Insurance took over and remained there until closing in 1986 when the Reno County Historical Society bought and renovated both buildings. Since that time, the Museum has hosted dozens of exhibits and programs to teach residents the history of Reno County.