The Big Well – Greensburg KansasThere was a time when traveling by a steam locomotive was just about the only way to get around or to move things. Because of that, sources of water were in high demand around the railways. The city of Greensburg, Kansas created a source where none was to be found.
Both the Santa Fe Railroad and the Rock Island Railroad were being constructed across the state of Kansas, and with these two large railroads on their way, much water was needed for their steam engines. The city decided in 1887 to begin a franchise for some type of water works system at a cost of $45,000. Construction began on the well with workers being hired as they were needed, and being paid fifteen cents to a dollar each day. Many different men volunteered for this job from cowboys to farmers, and some of them even lived on site in tents built for this purpose.
For the casing of the well, some of the workers were used to haul the native stone in, using wagons as they moved from the Medicine River to twelve miles down the road in Greensburg. With the wagons having slatted beds, they were also used to haul the piles of dirt away from the excavation. As the wagons drove down the road, the dirt fell out onto the roads, and it worked double duty to level the roads out.
With the dirt being removed from what was now a large hole, some type of support was needed for it not to cave back in. For this reason it was cribbed with pieces of wood, with every eight foot section being braced with two foot by twelve foot planks. When the water was finally reached in the well, a boot of heavy oak bridge timbers was constructed going around the hole to hold it. These timbers were attached to each other in a way where nails were not required. After this the stone work was begun, and as the construction progressed upwards, the wood braces were sawed off.
With the well being finished in 1888, it became the city of Greensburg’s main water supply until 1932. Seven years later it was covered and then opened up for tourists, as nearly three million people have visited what has become known as “The Big Well.” Some have even tossed money and other trinkets in, perhaps for good luck, and the more unusual of the items, such as a crucifix, shoes, and a rubber snack, can now be found showcased in the gift shop. Reaching the bottom of the 105 steps inside the well, the lights in the water will allow you to see all the way to the bottom.
The Big Well is located at 315 S. Sycamore in Greensburg. From Memorial Day through Labor Day, the Big Well is open from 8:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M. The other months of the year it is open 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M., and closed on Sunday afternoons and Mondays. Each Thanksgiving Day and Christmas day the Big Well is also closed.
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