Introduction

"Bridging the Generations"
The History of Old Randolph
1855 - 1960

Welcome | Historical Timeline | What Life was Like | City Map | Photo Gallery | References | Home

Welcome
We have designed this website so people may learn about the "old town" of Randolph, which was one of the many cities displaced by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the late 1950's when they built the dam that created the Tuttle Creek Reservoir.
This map shows you the current location of Randolph, Kansas, located twenty five miles north of Manhattan in Riley County. Randolph currently has a population of 175 people and eight businesses.
The small purple box at the top of the lake is the approximate location of Old Randolph. Look closely, it's east and north of Randolph, in the lake, just above Highway 16.
If you missed these links on our home page please take a moment to read About this Project and How to View this Site.
Thanks for stopping by and enjoy your visit!

Location Map

Brief History
In 1855, Gardner Randolph believed he had laid a claim in the Big Blue River Valley. It wasn't even a year later that J.K. Whitson decided he wanted to lay claim to the same area. The two men fought. As it turned out neither man had followed all the necessary laws for claiming the land. After winning a race home from the claim office, Whitson was declared the rightful claim holder. He had the town of Randolph's name changed to Waterville. Later, a Legislative Act in 1876 was signed to change Waterville's name back to Randolph.
In 1886, Randolph's population reached 293 and was incorporated as a third class city. The city was settled by many Swedish and German descendants. Many of the people were great limestone builders from the old country and this is why you may see many original rock structures pictured within the web site. Randolph grew into a beautiful and progressive little city through the years in the Blue Valley at the mouth of Fancy Creek. However, it did not live on forever.
In 1960, the Tuttle Creek Reservoir Dam ended Randolph and ten other neighboring towns. All the towns along the river in the counties of Riley, Pottawatomie, and part of Marshall are now under the water of the Tuttle Creek Reservoir. Some traditions, families, friendships, land, farming economy, and memories were lost. However, many people said that their life and town wasn't going away, just moving.

E-mail us with comments or information on Old Randolph, Kansas
© Copyright 2001 USD #384 Blue Valley-Randolph. All rights reserved.
www.usd384.k12.ks.us/oldran/
updated: May 1, 2001

	"Bridging the Generations" The History of Old Randolph 1855 - 1960
Welcome \| Historical Timeline \| What Life was Like \| City Map \| Photo Gallery \| References \| Home
Welcome We have designed this website so people may learn about the "old town" of Randolph, which was one of the many cities displaced by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the late 1950's when they built the dam that created the Tuttle Creek Reservoir. This map shows you the current location of Randolph, Kansas, located twenty five miles north of Manhattan in Riley County. Randolph currently has a population of 175 people and eight businesses. The small purple box at the top of the lake is the approximate location of Old Randolph. Look closely, it's east and north of Randolph, in the lake, just above Highway 16. If you missed these links on our home page please take a moment to read About this Project and How to View this Site. Thanks for stopping by and enjoy your visit!

Brief History In 1855, Gardner Randolph believed he had laid a claim in the Big Blue River Valley. It wasn't even a year later that J.K. Whitson decided he wanted to lay claim to the same area. The two men fought. As it turned out neither man had followed all the necessary laws for claiming the land. After winning a race home from the claim office, Whitson was declared the rightful claim holder. He had the town of Randolph's name changed to Waterville. Later, a Legislative Act in 1876 was signed to change Waterville's name back to Randolph. In 1886, Randolph's population reached 293 and was incorporated as a third class city. The city was settled by many Swedish and German descendants. Many of the people were great limestone builders from the old country and this is why you may see many original rock structures pictured within the web site. Randolph grew into a beautiful and progressive little city through the years in the Blue Valley at the mouth of Fancy Creek. However, it did not live on forever. In 1960, the Tuttle Creek Reservoir Dam ended Randolph and ten other neighboring towns. All the towns along the river in the counties of Riley, Pottawatomie, and part of Marshall are now under the water of the Tuttle Creek Reservoir. Some traditions, families, friendships, land, farming economy, and memories were lost. However, many people said that their life and town wasn't going away, just moving.
E-mail us with comments or information on Old Randolph, Kansas © Copyright 2001 USD #384 Blue Valley-Randolph. All rights reserved. www.usd384.k12.ks.us/oldran/ updated: May 1, 2001