ELLINWOOD — Excitement is building beneath the streets of Ellinwood, where the Ellinwood Underground City Foundation (EUCF) continues to make remarkable progress on long-awaited restoration efforts. This week, Foundation President Rick Casagrande showcased several updates now underway in the historic tunnels, marking a major step toward transforming the underground experience for visitors.
Casagrande said the Foundation’s recent fundraising success has been “nothing short of incredible,” helping Ellinwood reach the matching-fund requirements for the Kansas Tourism Attraction Development Grant. “Our community came out with overwhelming support,” he said. “Every fundraiser, every donation, every volunteer hour helped us cross that finish line.”
Those matching dollars will allow the Foundation to complete the next phase of the project – an enhanced entrance and orientation area that will greet guests at the start of the tunnel tours. The goal, Casagrande explained, is to create an experience that is visually compelling, historically rich, and worthy of one of Kansas’ most unique attractions.
Upgrades currently in motion include improved lighting, fresh interpretive displays and an updated welcome space designed to immerse visitors in Ellinwood’s history from the moment they step inside.
“We want the start of the tour to be just as memorable as the tunnels themselves,” Casagrande noted. “When people visit Ellinwood, we want them to feel that sense of wonder immediately.”
The Foundation’s recent fundraising events – including themed dinners, a haunted house, and specialty tours and events – drew strong turnout and enthusiasm from residents and supporters across the region. Many attendees expressed pride in preserving the heritage of the underground district, once a bustling network of shops, saloons, and barbershops that served early settlers along the railroad line.
Casagrande emphasized that community involvement has been the driving force behind the momentum.
“Ellinwood has always taken pride in its history,” he said. “This project shows what we can accomplish when our town rallies together.”
With the Kansas Tourism grant secured and construction timelines moving forward, the Foundation anticipates unveiling the updated entrance and expanded interpretive features in the near future. Once complete, the improvements are expected to elevate the visitor experience, boost local tourism, and further solidify Ellinwood as one of Kansas’ most fascinating historical destinations.
“Now we’re making sure it’s preserved – and presented – in a way that honors it for generations to come,” Casagrande said.
The Ellinwood Underground City Foundation will continue sharing updates as work progresses. Tours remain available through the Ellinwood Underground and Wolf Hotel, with expanded offerings expected next season.
