Winter Wonderland

FORT SCOTT, Kan. -- As the unpredictable Kansas weather continues to shift, a calm and peaceful winter wonderland has taken its usual spot in an unlikely place.

On the first floor of the Bourbon County Courthouse the Bourbon County Appraiser's Office is alongside every other office. However, between the end of November and February, a miniature community comes to life.

About 20 years ago, according to Bourbon County Appraiser Judy Wallis, a community was born. Four or five miniature ceramic houses were placed on top of a couple of filing cabinets for some holiday decoration. Over the years, one by one, Wallis said the collection has grown to more than 40 miniature buildings.

"One by one ... it's just grown over the years," she said. "We've kidded that it would be nice to put them on the tax rolls."

Wallis said the collection takes several hours to set up. The task is normally done by office worker Leah Riley. Wallis said the collection has grown through a variety of contributions. Often, office staff will purchase a house to add to the village whenever they spot one on sale. But many times, houses will be given by people who visit the office.

"We've even had individuals who have seen it and brought us some houses," she said.

The collection of miniatures consists of houses, a library, a skating rink and even a courthouse.

"It's kind of a compilation of this and that," Wallis said.

Currently only about 40 structures are on display, simply due to a lack of space on the file cabinets.

Wallis said the village often adds a bit of happiness in the courthouse during a time when most visitors are not in the best spirits due to having to pay their taxes.

"It helps to lighten the mood because no one likes to come in and pay taxes," she said.

The village is on display in the office, located on the first floor of the Bourbon County Courthouse, 210 S. National, Ave., during normal business hours.