Introduction

The John Flagg house is located in Manhattan, KS.   The earliest part of the house was built about 1860-61.  It is a vernacular stone house of Manhattan, constructed in a New England style with local limestone blocks.  According to the research of Dr. Patricia J. O'Brien, author of THE ARCHITECTS AND BUILDERS OF MANHATTAN, KS, the house was constructed for John Flagg, who acquired the land "via a U.S. Patent from President Buchanan on October 10, 1860."  Mr. Flagg was born in Lincoln, Massachusetts on March 3, 1822.  He married Mary Ann Fiske in 1848 and they lived in Boston, Massachusetts where Mr. Flagg worked as a wheelwright.  He came to Kansas from Massachusetts in 1854, arriving first in Lawrence, Kansas, then moved to Manhattan.  Mr. Flagg was a charter member of the Boston Association which started the town of New Boston at the confluence of the Blue and Kansas Rivers in the Flint Hills region of Kansas.  That town would soon be renamed Manhattan.  Mr. Flagg "joined Co. C of the 17th Regiment Kansas Volunteers during the Civil War," but had earlier served in the "3rd Corps of the Kansas Cavalry when it was formed in 1861. The Flagg family was active in the Congregational Church."  Mr. Flagg was also a member of the Lafayette Masonic Lodge No.16, the A.F. and A.M.

"John Flagg and his son John Jr. operated a ferry to cross the Blue River before bridges were built".  Mr. Flagg "received a license from the Riley County commissioners for a ferry...in 1859."  Mr. Flagg also "tried being a merchant.  The advertisement 'Baker, Flagg & Co.' appeared in the paper reporting that they were merchants dealing in clothing and shoes."  John Flagg died on May 21, 1874 at the age of 53, survived by his widow and five children.


Late 10-24-2012:  So, my husband, Mk, and I recently completed the purchase of this 150 year old limestone house in the Flint Hills of Kansas.    My son, Mc, and his girlfriend, J, thought it'd be a great idea to give me something else to do in my life.  The idea being that I should keep a blog as Mk and I embark on some renovations to this house before we move into it.  I shall do my best not to disappoint Mc and J, as well as any others who find their way to this blog.  Until next time, signing off.  B.