Bartley: Local History and Flood Marker

If you are considering Bartley as a travel destination, its local history offers a specific focus: its founding in 1886, Mallalieu University, and the memory of the 1935 flood. Two markers point to different chapters—the university and the floodwater level. Together, these sites provide a historical context for exploring the town.

Bartley's Early Years

In June 1886, the townsite of Bartley was laid out on land owned by Reverend Allen Bartley. The town was named after him; Allen Bartley was a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church. By July 1886, about 27 buildings had been erected in Bartley. The town's name and founding land are thus linked to an approximate count of its buildings at the time. These dates provide a brief timeline for the town's early development.

On August 28, 1886, Kemper Memorial Methodist Church was organized in Bartley as a Methodist Episcopal Church. The cornerstone of Kemper Memorial Methodist Church was laid on November 18, 1899. The two dates mark different milestones: the church's organization and the later laying of its cornerstone.

Mallalieu University and Haddock Hall

Mallalieu University opened in September 1886 with 60 students. Construction of Haddock Hall, the university's first permanent building, began in the summer of 1888. Drought and unfavorable economic conditions forced Mallalieu University to close before Haddock Hall was completed. It never reopened.

The history of the university building also extends into Bartley's church history: the bricks from Haddock Hall were later used to build the Methodist Church of Bartley—Kemper Memorial Methodist Church. Thus, the university and the church are not merely separate historical subjects; the reuse of the bricks connects their building histories. Historically, Haddock Hall stood a short distance north of the Mallalieu University marker.

Places and Markers in Bartley

The Mallalieu University marker is located in Bartley Town Park on Commercial Street. Bartley Sales Barn is at the southwest corner of the intersection of US-34/6 and Commercial Street. These location descriptions identify different points in town: the marker in the park and the corner where the Sales Barn is located. Check the location details again before your arrival.

Another commemorative marker relates to the 1935 flood. The flood marker stands on a small pedestal at the northwest corner of the intersection of Commercial Street and Cedar Street. Unlike the Mallalieu University marker, it refers to a single natural event. The specific street corner makes it easy to distinguish from the other historic sites when finding your way; you should also check this location detail again before your arrival.

The 1935 Flood

The 1935 flood reached Bartley at around 5:00 p.m. No homes in the town proper of Bartley were in the flooded area. The flood marker was made and erected in 1936 to record the height reached by the floodwaters. The marker's history therefore involves two distinct points in time: the flood itself and the marker's later creation and erection.

For your stay, you can organize these historical topics according to your interests: Mallalieu University and Haddock Hall offer a look at Bartley's early educational history; the church brings together its organization, cornerstone laying, and the later use of the bricks. The flood marker, by contrast, records an event from 1935. Discover more destinations: Mccook

For the broader travel overview: Red Willow.