The infamous cyclone of May 17, 1896, nearly destroyed Preston (and severely damaged much of southeast Richardson County and northeast Kansas, including several fatalities). Almost every building in town was blown away, or needed repairs. Fires also took their toll including when the Shelly & Rieger general store burned in 1891 and in 1903 when the harness shop caught fire and burned most of the block, including four or five businesses and the Lindell Hotel. Residents could take the train to Falls City for 17 cents and this mode of transportation, both in convenience and low cost, further added to Preston's decline since people could travel more easily to "the big city" of Falls City.delcochran.org (no citations referenced).
The infamous cyclone of May 17, 1896, nearly destroyed Preston (and severely damaged much of southeast Richardson County and northeast Kansas, including several fatalities). Almost every building in town was blown away, or needed repairs. Fires also took their toll including when the Shelly & Rieger general store burned in 1891 and in 1903 when the harness shop caught fire and burned most of the block, including four or five businesses and the Lindell Hotel. Residents could take the train to Falls City for 17 cents and this mode of transportation, both in convenience and low cost, further added to Preston's decline since people could travel more easily to "the big city" of Falls City.delcochran.org (no citations referenced)