Our Mission
The Flint Hills Ranching Heritage Center at Pioneer Bluffs is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and preserving the ranching heritage of the Flint Hills.
Located on the historic 12-acre Rogler homestead in Chase County, KS, Pioneer Bluffs serves as a gateway to understanding, interpreting, and safeguarding the past, present, and future of ranching in the Flint Hills for the ranching community and the public in general.
Operations Director wanted at Pioneer Bluffs
Operations Director, SammyJo Happy, is leaving Pioneer Bluffs to take on a larger role in her family’s ranching and farming operation. Happy has been a rancher in the Flint Hills since she began helping her dad at the age of three, We are sad to see her go and wish her great success with her new responsibilities.
This change opens the position for Pioneer Bluffs’ next Operations Director. The Job Description can be viewed here. Interested applicants should send a cover letter, resume and this application to Nancy Mattke at nmattke1452@gmail.com. If you have questions, Nancy can be reached at 620-753-3484.
The Story of Five Oaks Ranch
presented by Annie Wilson
<- Click on image to view the presentation.
This talk includes stories and historic photos of the Five Oaks Ranch west of Elmdale on its 100th birthday, including early German and French homesteaders, colorful era of the Wiley draft horse ranch, the Middle Creek Fair and rodeo, and beginning in 1925, the Kansas City Stockyards-based Browning Ranch, grazing Texas cattle on Flint Hills grass, operated by the McKee, Cauthorn, Burnett, Wilson and Hancock families.
The presentation was co-created by John & Annie Wilson, Katie Wilson Hancock, and Jane Cauthorn. June 2025
The Legacy of Miles McKee
Presented by Katie Wilson Hancock and Dave McKee
<- Click on image to view the presentation.
Miles McKee, Professor of Animal Science at K-State from 1959-2005, grew up a ranch west of Elmdale. He went on to become a beloved and much-celebrated teacher and advisor, having an enormous impact on his students as well as the Kansas beef industry. The McKee family spoke about his legacy in this Prairie Talk.
Restoration of 1915 Pioneer Bluffs Barn
In 2015, the biggest restoration in 100 years was completed with restoration of the iconic 1915 barn. History has been preserved while making a beautiful space available to the community for music, events, festivals, and more. This barn is also available for private rental; it is a unique venue for a Flint Hills destination wedding. www.pioneerbluffs.org The barn restoration was made possible by Kansas Department of Commerce Community Service tax credits and hundreds of individual donors and volunteers.
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