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Bonnie Bailey

Hatteberg's People

Reporter: Larry Hatteberg

February 29, 2004--Zenda is a little Kingman county town. And Zenda resident Bonnie Bailey has created an even smaller ‘historic’ Zenda. One woman keeping a town’s history alive through ‘doll’ house restoration.

“My roots are here I guess.”

Small towns are proud towns. Zenda is one of those. Nestled in southern Kingman County, everything is within walking distance. But over the past 100 plus years, Zenda has changed.

There is a wonderful new community center, but many old buildings have come and gone….and no one knows that more than life long resident Bonnie Baily.

“Zenda has just always been important to me.”

In the old municipal building on Main Street is a complete ‘doll house’ history of Zenda’s old main street.

“I guess it just happened.”

Replica dollhouses of Main street in Zenda, Kansas.

Bonnie, with a few friends, created exact replicas of local businesses that once flourished in this tiny community.

Each dollhouse is immaculate in detail and inception.

“I like history. My roots are here I guess. Zenda has just always been important to me.”

“There are 36 buildings. I had pictures of the buildings so we went from there.

Dollhouse replica of Zenda High School. The school was built in 1910.

The largest one is Zenda’s old high school. It sits on a display table all by itself.

“It was built in 1919. You can just kind of step in here and walk back and step back in time. I just thought it would be neat to have my home town saved in this fashion. Besides, these are the doll houses I never had.”

Bonnie Bailey has created a main street of memories.

In front of each little building there is a black and white picture of the original structure. There’s Webster’s restaurant…then, and now.

Just down the street is Kerr’s restaurant.

Dollhouse replica of historic 2 story house in Zenda, Kansas.

And of course who could forget the Zenda’s Hotel Royal.

All of these stand tall in Bonnie’s unique collection.

Dollhouse replica of historic church in Zenda, Kansas.

“I wish I could step back in time for two or three days or a week and visit with these folks. This is Zenda’s history and it will stay alive I hope.”

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