Pioneer Bluffs

Specific Need

We have seen lots of change and growth here at Pioneer Bluffs over the last year. We value nature, community, connection, history, and celebrating with family, friends, and neighbors. Our events throughout the year to preserve these ranching heritage core values would not be possible without your help! Your Match Day gift is an investment in these important values.

Thanks to previous Match Days, we have been able to make improvements and provide educational opportunities for people of all ages and interests:

Keeping our Nature Trail accessible for people to enjoy each day
Installation of new roof on the house
Refinished the barn loft floor - making it the best dancing floor ever!
Original log cabin was replaced with an authentic 1859 replica and with fun educational exhibits inside
Repairs have been made to the metal barn roof and fencing
Bathroom updates
House interior updates - featuring new historical exhibits inside!

We are now turning our sights to further historic preservation, specifically in the upkeep of the 1915 barn - which needs repainted and minor wood updates. The year 2025 is the barn's 110th anniversary and 10th anniversary of being restored in 2015!

Pioneer Bluffs plans to host an abundance community events each year including music concerts, barn dances, Prairie Talks, school field trips, and more. Your Match Day gift will help fund projects at this National Register Historic District, so we can keep serving our community and educate friends near and far on our wonderful Flint Hills ranching heritage.

While we have amazing volunteers that contribute time, skill, and labor, donations make it possible to have this special place where visitors can step into the past, friends can gather to celebrate, and a way of life can be honored. Your gift directly supports a place cherished by so many now, and helps protect it and its stories for the next generation.

Mission

To preserve and share the ranching heritage of the Flint Hills.

Profile

Our story began in 1859 when Charles Rogler, a young Austrian immigrant, walked from Iowa to build a new life in Kansas. Charles’ son, Henry, and later a grandson, Wayne, later took the reins, making the farm/ranch operation one of the most well-respected in the region. Today the old Rogler Ranch is Pioneer Bluffs, a nonprofit organization, and home to Flint Hills ranching heritage. Visit this National Register Historic District to explore the classic 1908 farm house, restored 1915 barn, 1916 granary, 1859 log cabin replica, mile-long limestone fence, beautiful gardens, and nature trail.

Preserving Flint Hills heritage with educational and community programs, including:

Ranching Heritage Prairie Talks - stories of ranch families who shaped the Flint Hills
Day on the Prairie - school field trips to learn about history and the prairie ecosystem
Cultural events - music, art, food, history
Ranching - education and exhibits
Self-guided tours –accessible every day and year round
Interactive website – sharing education and history with friends worldwide
Nature Trail - well maintained refuge along Crocker Creek
Wedding Venue - Henry and his wife, Maude, shared 71 years of marriage here - making it the perfect place to start your love story!