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|
 Kansas
COUNTY FACTS
Page 6
Click on
the county name below to see the county facts:
Seward County, Kansas
|
Date Established: |
March 20, 1873 |
|
Date Organized: |
|
|
Location: |
 |
|
County Seat: |
Liberal |
|
Origin of Name: |
Named for William H. Seward (1801-1872), senator from New York
and a leader of the anti-slavery wing of the Whig Party. Joining
the Republican Party in 1855, he served as Secretary of State
under Lincoln and Johnson, and arranged to purchase Alaska
("Seward's Folly") from Russia. |
|
Cities & Townships: |
|
Place |
Population (2000 census) |
|
Liberal (city) |
19,666 |
|
Fargo Township |
1,684 |
|
Liberal Township |
803 |
|
Morris Township |
[defunct] |
|
Seward Township |
357 |
|
Total population: |
22,510 |
|
|
|
 |
|
Population: |
|
1880 |
 (5)
|
|
1890 |
 (1,503)
|
|
1900 |
 (822)
|
|
1910 |
 (4,091)
|
|
1920 |
 (6,220)
|
|
1930 |
 (8,075)
|
|
1940 |
(6,540)
|
|
1950 |
 (9,972)
|
|
1960 |
 (15,930)
|
|
1970 |
(15,744)
|
|
1980 |
(17,071)
|
|
1990 |
(18,743)
|
|
2000 |
(22,510) |
|
Shawnee County,
Kansas
|
Date Established: |
August 25, 1855 |
|
Date Organized: |
|
|
Location: |
 |
|
County Seat: |
Topeka |
|
Origin of Name: |
Organized in 1855. It was carved out of what was, before the
treaty of 1854, Shawnee Indian lands, hence the name. General
H. J. Strickler, of Tecumseh, who was a member of the council in
1855 and the joint committee on Counties, claimed Shawnee for
the name of his county, a preference stoutly contended for by
the Reverend Thomas Johnson for the county in which the
legislature was sitting. However, the committee yielded to
General Strickland and, without solicitation, complimented Mr.
Johnson by conferring his own name upon his county. |
|
Cities & Townships: |
|
Place |
Population (2000 census) |
|
Topeka (city) |
122,377 |
|
Auburn Township |
2,787 |
|
Dover Township |
1,734 |
|
Grove Township |
473 |
|
Menoken Township |
1,371 |
|
Mission Township |
9,070 |
|
Monmouth Township |
2,786 |
|
Rossville Township |
1,681 |
|
Silver Lake Township |
1,949 |
|
Soldier Township |
12,867 |
|
Tecumseh Township |
7,822 |
|
Topeka Township |
931 |
|
Williamsport Township |
4,023 |
|
Total population: |
169,871 |
|
|
|
 |
|
Population: |
|
1860 |
(3,513)
|
|
1870 |
(13,121)
|
|
1880 |
(29,093)
|
|
1890 |
 (49,172)
|
|
1900 |
(53,727)
|
|
1910 |
 (61,874)
|
|
1920 |
 (69,159)
|
|
1930 |
 (85,200)
|
|
1940 |
 (91,247)
|
|
1950 |
 (105,418)
|
|
1960 |
(141,286)
|
|
1970 |
(155,322)
|
|
1980 |
(154,916)
|
|
1990 |
(160,976)
|
|
2000 |
(169,871) |
|
Sheridan County,
Kansas
|
Date Established: |
March 20, 1873 |
|
Date Organized: |
|
|
Location: |
 |
|
County Seat: |
Hoxie |
|
Origin of Name and history: |
Sheridan County is named for General Phillip H. Sheridan
(1831-1888) of Civil War fame and active in the post-Civil War
Indian campaigns on the plains. Sheridan County was created by
an act of the Kansas Legislature in 1873. Settlements began here
in the 1860's, but it was not until the influx of settlers in
1878 and 1879 that events led to official organization. The town
of Kenneth, begun in 1879 north of Hoxie, was the county seat
until 1886. |
|
Cities & Townships: |
|
Place |
Population (2000 census) |
|
Adell Township |
13 |
|
Bloomfield Township |
45 |
|
Bowcreek Township |
54 |
|
East Saline Township |
66 |
|
Kenneth Township |
1,430 |
|
Logan Township |
115 |
|
Parnell Township |
104 |
|
Prairie Dog Township |
71 |
|
Saline Township |
[defunct] |
|
Sheridan Township |
269 |
|
Solomon Township |
248 |
|
Springbrook Township |
108 |
|
Union Township |
60 |
|
Valley Township |
139 |
|
West Saline Township |
91 |
|
Total population: |
2,813 |
|
|
|
 |
|
Population: |
|
1880 |
 (1,567)
|
|
1890 |
(3,733)
|
|
1900 |
 (3,819)
|
|
1910 |
(5,651)
|
|
1920 |
(5,484)
|
|
1930 |
(6,038)
|
|
1940 |
(5,312)
|
|
1950 |
(4,607)
|
|
1960 |
(4,267)
|
|
1970 |
 (3,859)
|
|
1980 |
(3,544)
|
|
1990 |
(3,043)
|
|
2000 |
 (2,813) |
|
Sherman County,
Kansas
|
Date Established: |
March 20, 1873 |
|
Date Organized: |
|
|
Location: |
 |
|
County Seat: |
Goodland |
|
Origin of Name: |
Named for General William Tecumseh Sherman (1820-1891), most
famous for his scorched-earth tactics during the Civil War,
during the march from Atlanta to the sea. As general commander
of the U.S. Army after 1869, he asserted that the aim of Indian
policy should be to place the tribes on reservations and make
them stay there, and he directed the campaigns through the 1870s
that put this policy into practice. |
|
Cities & Townships: |
|
Place |
Population (2000 census) |
|
Goodland (city) |
4,948 |
|
Grant Township |
115 |
|
Iowa Township |
44 |
|
Itasca Township |
321 |
|
Lincoln Township |
95 |
|
Llanos Township |
43 |
|
Logan Township |
246 |
|
McPherson Township |
52 |
|
Shermanville Township |
51 |
|
Smoky Township |
87 |
|
Stateline Township |
344 |
|
Union Township |
56 |
|
Voltaire Township |
252 |
|
Washington Township |
106 |
|
Total population: |
6,760 |
|
|
|
 |
|
Population: |
|
1880 |
(13)
|
|
1890 |
(5,261)
|
|
1900 |
 (3,341)
|
|
1910 |
(4,549)
|
|
1920 |
(5,592)
|
|
1930 |
(7,400)
|
|
1940 |
(6,421)
|
|
1950 |
(7,373)
|
|
1960 |
(6,682)
|
|
1970 |
(7,792)
|
|
1980 |
(7,759)
|
|
1990 |
(6,926)
|
|
2000 |
(6,760) |
|
Smith County, Kansas
|
Date Established: |
February 26, 1867 |
|
Date Organized: |
|
|
Location: |
 |
|
County Seat: |
Smith Center |
|
Origin of Name: |
In memory of Maj. J. Nelson Smith, 2nd Colorado Cavalry, killed
in action at the Battle of the Little Blue, 21 Oct 1864.
Organized in 1872. |
|
Cities & Townships: |
|
Place |
Population (2000 census) |
|
Banner Township |
54 |
|
Beaver Township |
60 |
|
Blaine Township |
60 |
|
Cedar Township |
619 |
|
Center Township |
2,094 |
|
Cora Township |
38 |
|
Crystal Plains Township |
40 |
|
Dor Township |
46 |
|
Garfield Township |
33 |
|
German Township |
34 |
|
Harlan Township |
100 |
|
Harvey Township |
130 |
|
Houston Township |
206 |
|
Lane Township |
134 |
|
Lincoln Township |
73 |
|
Logan Township |
47 |
|
Martin Township |
24 |
|
Oak Township |
399 |
|
Pawnee Township |
35 |
|
Pleasant Township |
34 |
|
Swan Township |
42 |
|
Valley Township |
75 |
|
Washington Township |
63 |
|
Webster Township |
47 |
|
White Rock Township |
49 |
|
Total population: |
4,536 |
|
|
|
 |
|
Population: |
|
1870 |
(66)
|
|
1880 |
(13,883)
|
|
1890 |
(15,613)
|
|
1900 |
(16,384)
|
|
1910 |
(15,365)
|
|
1920 |
(14,985)
|
|
1930 |
(13,545)
|
|
1940 |
 (10,582)
|
|
1950 |
(8,846)
|
|
1960 |
(7,776)
|
|
1970 |
 (6,757)
|
|
1980 |
(5,947)
|
|
1990 |
 (5,078)
|
|
2000 |
 (4,536) |
|
Stafford County,
Kansas
|
Date Established: |
February 26, 1867 |
|
Date Organized: |
|
|
Location: |
 |
|
County Seat: |
St. John |
|
Origin of Name: |
In memory of Capt. Lewis Stafford of Co. E, First Kansas
Infantry, who was accidentally killed at Young's Point, La., on
31 Jan 1863. |
|
Description and interesting notes: |
Stafford county is mostly flat country with occasional clumps of
grass-covered sand dunes. The eastern part has marshy areas that
are home to millions of waterfowl. The gentle North Fork of the
Ninnescah river meanders across the southeast quadrant.
The AT&SF railroad and highway US-50 run across Stafford
county, serving Zenith, Stafford, St. John, and Macksville.
Highway US 281 runs north-south though the middle. The Missouri
Pacific had track from Radium, in northwest Stafford county
through Seward, Hudson, Stafford, and Neola but it has been
abandoned.
Most of the economic life of the county involves cattle,
winter wheat, or petroleum.
·
The main square in St. John seems like it should have a
courthouse on it, but doesn't. Instead, the courthouse is on the
southeast corner of the square with an angled facade facing the
square. Notice the older Dillon's store on the north side of the
square; its style gives a glimpse of past retail fashion.
·
The Quivira National Wildlife Refuge is a 22,000 acre wonderland
for birdwatchers.
·
The Ida Long Goodman library in St. John is a good model for
smaller Kansas towns. By combining the city and school district
libraries, both are better than either could be alone.
·
Hudson is the home of a famous flour mill and is a lively,
prosperous little town. Tours of the Stafford County Flour Mills
can be arranged; call (620) 458-4121.
·
Zenith has a tan brick church and school (abandoned), grain
elevator, and RR tracks.
·
Neola, in the southeast corner, is kind of a sad place nestled in
a sandhill area beside rusting, weed-grown tracks. There's
almost nothing left of the dreams and sweat invested there.
·
Curtis Cafe in Stafford has hundreds of picture puzzles
(assembled) mounted on the walls. |
|
Cities & Townships: |
|
Place |
Population (2000 census) |
|
Albano Township |
56 |
|
Byron Township |
80 |
|
Clear Creek Township |
36 |
|
Cleveland Township |
68 |
|
Cooper Township |
[defunct] |
|
Douglas Township |
138 |
|
East Cooper Township |
90 |
|
Fairview Township |
98 |
|
Farmington Township |
591 |
|
Hayes Township |
212 |
|
Lincoln Township |
113 |
|
North Seward Township |
186 |
|
Ohio Township |
409 |
|
Putnam Township |
19 |
|
Richland Township |
70 |
|
Rose Valley Township |
74 |
|
Seward Township |
[defunct] |
|
South Seward Township |
55 |
|
St. John Township |
1,037 |
|
Stafford Township |
1,291 |
|
Union Township |
41 |
|
West Cooper Township |
64 |
|
York Township |
61 |
|
Total population: |
4,789 |
|
|
|
 |
|
Population: |
|
1880 |
 (4,755)
|
|
1890 |
(8,520)
|
|
1900 |
(9,829)
|
|
1910 |
(12,510)
|
|
1920 |
(11,559)
|
|
1930 |
(10,460)
|
|
1940 |
(10,487)
|
|
1950 |
(8,816)
|
|
1960 |
 (7,451)
|
|
1970 |
 (5,943)
|
|
1980 |
 (5,694)
|
|
1990 |
(5,365)
|
|
2000 |
(4,789)
|
|
Stanton County,
Kansas
|
Date Established: |
March 20, 1873 |
|
Date Organized: |
|
|
Location: |
 |
|
County Seat: |
Johnson City |
|
Origin of Name: |
Named for Edwin M. Stanton (1814-1869), Secretary of War from
1862 to 1868. |
|
Cities & Townships: |
|
Place |
Population (2000 census) |
|
Big Bow Township |
338 |
|
Manter Township |
312 |
|
Stanton Township |
1,756 |
|
Total population: |
2,406 |
|
|
|
 |
|
Population: |
|
1880 |
(5)
|
|
1890 |
 (1,031)
|
|
1900 |
 (327)
|
|
1910 |
(1,034)
|
|
1920 |
 (908)
|
|
1930 |
 (2,152)
|
|
1940 |
 (1,443)
|
|
1950 |
(2,263)
|
|
1960 |
(2,108)
|
|
1970 |
(2,287)
|
|
1980 |
(2,339)
|
|
1990 |
(2,333)
|
|
2000 |
(2,406) |
|
Stevens County,
Kansas
|
Date Established: |
March 20, 1873 |
|
Date Organized: |
|
|
Location: |
 |
|
County Seat: |
Hugoton |
|
Origin of Name: |
In honor of Thaddeus Stevens (1792-1868), a U.S. senator from
Pennsylvania and a passionate advocate of Radical
Republicanism. He was famous for his fierce abolitionist
beliefs. |
|
Cities & Townships: |
|
Place |
Population (2000 census) |
|
Banner Township |
164 |
|
Center Township |
4,131 |
|
Cleveland Township |
[defunct] |
|
Dermot Township |
[defunct] |
|
Harmony Township |
143 |
|
Lafayette Township |
[defunct] |
|
Lincoln Township |
[defunct] |
|
Moscow Township |
711 |
|
Niagara Township |
[defunct] |
|
Voorhees Township |
145 |
|
West Center Township |
169 |
|
Woodsdale Township |
[defunct] |
|
Total population: |
5,463 |
|
|
|
 |
|
Population: |
|
1880 |
 (12)
|
|
1890 |
 (1,418)
|
|
1900 |
 (620)
|
|
1910 |
 (2,453)
|
|
1920 |
(3,943)
|
|
1930 |
(4,655)
|
|
1940 |
 (3,193)
|
|
1950 |
(4,516)
|
|
1960 |
(4,400)
|
|
1970 |
(4,198)
|
|
1980 |
(4,736)
|
|
1990 |
(5,048)
|
|
2000 |
(5,463) |
|
Sumner County, Kansas
|
Date Established: |
February 26, 1867 |
|
Date Organized: |
|
|
Location: |
|
|
County Seat: |
Wellington |
|
Origin of Name: |
In honor of Charles Sumner (1811-1874), a U.S. senator from
Massachusetts. The Senate's leading opponent of slavery, he was
beaten unconscious on the Senate floor by a South Carolina
congressman after one speech Sumner made against pro-slavery
groups in Kansas in 1856. During the Civil War, he became a
leader of the Radical Republicans, arguing for black suffrage
and urging an extensive program of economic aid, land
distribution and free education for freed slaves. He also lead
the impeachment movement against President Andrew Johnson. |
|
Description and history: |
Cattle, wheat, and railroads have defined Sumner County. The flat
rich soil that covers much of the county produces vast amounts
of wheat. As you drive through the county you can always see
several grain elevators. The Santa Fe railroad runs east/west
and the Union Pacific serves Peck, Riverdale, Wellington, Perth,
Corbin, and Caldwell connecting Wichita and Enid, OK, over track
once owned by the Rock Island. Highway
US 160
runs across the county, and US 81/I-35 runs north/south.
Early interest in the county was driven by the economic
oppportunities offered by the herds of cattle coming up the
Chisholm trail from Texas. Later the Oklahoma land rushes
created and then drained towns in Sumner County.
Mrs Susanna Madora Salter (born 3/2/1860) served as mayor of
Argonia in 1887 She was the first woman mayor elected in the US.
The Salter home at Osage & Garfield is now a museum. |
|
Cities & Townships: |
|
Place |
Population (2000 census) |
|
Caldwell (city) |
1,284 |
|
Wellington (city) |
8,647 |
|
Avon Township |
319 |
|
Belle Plaine Township |
3,504 |
|
Bluff Township |
74 |
|
Caldwell Township |
200 |
|
Chikaskia Township |
69 |
|
Conway Township |
1,286 |
|
Creek Township |
241 |
|
Dixon Township |
738 |
|
Downs Township |
159 |
|
Eden Township |
452 |
|
Falls Township |
187 |
|
Gore Township |
2,220 |
|
Greene Township |
80 |
|
Guelph Township |
164 |
|
Harmon Township |
277 |
|
Illinois Township |
178 |
|
Jackson Township |
153 |
|
London Township |
774 |
|
Morris Township |
35 |
|
Osborne Township |
273 |
|
Oxford Township |
1,403 |
|
Palestine Township |
249 |
|
Ryan Township |
239 |
|
Seventy-Six Township |
238 |
|
South Haven Township |
670 |
|
Springdale Township |
761 |
|
Sumner Township |
150 |
|
Valverde Township |
147 |
|
Walton Township |
431 |
|
Wellington Township |
344 |
|
Total population: |
25,946 |
|
|
|
 |
|
Population: |
|
1870 |
(22)
|
|
1880 |
(20,812)
|
|
1890 |
(30,271)
|
|
1900 |
(25,631)
|
|
1910 |
(30,654)
|
|
1920 |
(29,213)
|
|
1930 |
(28,960)
|
|
1940 |
(26,163)
|
|
1950 |
(23,646)
|
|
1960 |
(25,316)
|
|
1970 |
(23,553)
|
|
1980 |
(24,928)
|
|
1990 |
(25,841)
|
|
2000 |
(25,946) |
|
Thomas County, Kansas
|
Date Established: |
March 20, 1873 |
|
Date Organized: |
October 08, 1885 |
|
Location: |
|
|
County Seat: |
Colby |
|
Origin of Name: |
Named for Maj. Gen. George H. Thomas (1816-1870), called the
'Rock of Chickamauga' for his defense of that Georgia city in
1863. |
|
Cities & Townships: |
|
Place |
Population (2000 census) |
|
Colby (city) |
5,450 |
|
Barrett Township |
124 |
|
East Hale Township |
137 |
|
Kingery Township |
93 |
|
Lacey Township |
132 |
|
Menlo Township |
112 |
|
Morgan Township |
755 |
|
North Randall Township |
107 |
|
Randall Township |
[defunct] |
|
Rovohl Township |
143 |
|
Smith Township |
213 |
|
South Randall Township |
267 |
|
Summers Township |
197 |
|
Wendell Township |
84 |
|
West Hale Township |
366 |
|
Total population: |
8,180 |
|
|
|
 |
|
Population: |
|
1880 |
 (161)
|
|
1890 |
(5,538)
|
|
1900 |
 (4,112)
|
|
1910 |
 (5,455)
|
|
1920 |
(5,517)
|
|
1930 |
(7,334)
|
|
1940 |
(6,425)
|
|
1950 |
(7,572)
|
|
1960 |
(7,358)
|
|
1970 |
(7,501)
|
|
1980 |
(8,451)
|
|
1990 |
(8,258)
|
|
2000 |
(8,180) |
|
Trego County, Kansas
|
Date Established: |
February 26, 1867 |
|
Date Organized: |
June 21, 1879 |
|
Location: |
|
|
County Seat: |
WaKeeney |
|
Origin of Name: |
In memory of Edgar P. Trego, captain of Co. H, 8th Kansas
Infantry, who was killed in action at Chicamauga, Ga., on 19
Sept 1863. Organized in 1879. |
|
Cities & Townships: |
|
Place |
Population (2000 census) |
|
Collyer Township |
368 |
|
Franklin Township |
60 |
|
Glencoe Township |
70 |
|
Ogallah Township |
214 |
|
Riverside Township |
117 |
|
WaKeeney Township |
2,398 |
|
Wilcox Township |
92 |
|
Total population: |
3,319 |
|
|
|
 |
|
Population: |
|
1870 |
 (166)
|
|
1880 |
 (2,535)
|
|
1890 |
(2,535)
|
|
1900 |
 (2,722)
|
|
1910 |
(5,398)
|
|
1920 |
(5,880)
|
|
1930 |
(6,470)
|
|
1940 |
(5,822)
|
|
1950 |
(5,868)
|
|
1960 |
(5,473)
|
|
1970 |
(4,436)
|
|
1980 |
 (4,165)
|
|
1990 |
(3,694)
|
|
2000 |
 (3,319) |
|
Wabaunsee County,
Kansas
|
Date Established: |
February 11, 1859 |
|
Date Organized: |
|
|
Location: |
|
|
County Seat: |
Alma |
|
Origin of Name: |
Organized as Richardson in 1859. The county was created in 1855.
Colonel "Dick" Richardson, of Illinois, for whom the county was
first named, was the leader in the House of Representatives on
the Democratic side in the debate on the Kansas-Nebraska Bill.
In February, 1859, the name was changed to Waubaunse, that being
the name of a chief of the Pottawatomie Indians (Wah-Bahn-Se
1760s?-1845 or 6). |
|
Cities & Townships: |
|
Place |
Population (2000 census) |
|
Alma Township |
1,137 |
|
Farmer Township |
119 |
|
Garfield Township |
590 |
|
Kaw Township |
242 |
|
Maple Hill Township |
930 |
|
Mill Creek Township |
293 |
|
Mission Creek Township |
495 |
|
Newbury Township |
1,045 |
|
Plumb Township |
640 |
|
Rock Creek Township |
84 |
|
Wabaunsee Township |
455 |
|
Washington Township |
83 |
|
Wilmington Township |
772 |
|
Total population: |
6,885 |
|
|
|
 |
|
Population: |
|
1860 |
 (1,023)
|
|
1870 |
 (3,362)
|
|
1880 |
(8,756)
|
|
1890 |
(11,720)
|
|
1900 |
(12,813)
|
|
1910 |
(12,721)
|
|
1920 |
(11,424)
|
|
1930 |
(10,830)
|
|
1940 |
(9,219)
|
|
1950 |
 (7,212)
|
|
1960 |
 (6,648)
|
|
1970 |
(6,397)
|
|
1980 |
 (6,867)
|
|
1990 |
(6,603)
|
|
2000 |
(6,885) |
|
Wallace County,
Kansas
|
Date Established: |
March 11, 1868 |
|
Date Organized: |
|
|
Location: |
|
|
County Seat: |
Sharon Springs |
|
Origin of Name: |
In honor of Gen. William H. L. Wallace. Commander of the Second
Division at the Battle of Shiloh (6 Apr 1862), he was wounded in
action and died a few days later, on 10 Apr 1862. |
|
Cities & Townships: |
|
Place |
Population (2000 census) |
|
Harrison Township |
85 |
|
Morton Township |
[defunct] |
|
North Township |
[defunct] |
|
Sharon Springs Township |
1,096 |
|
Stockholm Township |
[defunct] |
|
Vega Township |
[defunct] |
|
Wallace Township |
175 |
|
Weskan Township |
393 |
|
Total population: |
1,749 |
|
|
|
 |
|
Population: |
|
1870 |
 (538)
|
|
1880 |
 (686)
|
|
1890 |
(2,468)
|
|
1900 |
 (1,178)
|
|
1910 |
(2,759)
|
|
1920 |
(2,424)
|
|
1930 |
(2,882)
|
|
1940 |
(2,216)
|
|
1950 |
(2,508)
|
|
1960 |
(2,069)
|
|
1970 |
(2,215)
|
|
1980 |
(2,045)
|
|
1990 |
(1,821)
|
|
2000 |
 (1,749) |
|
Washington
County, Kansas
|
Date Established: |
February 20, 1857 |
|
Date Organized: |
|
|
Location: |
|
|
County Seat: |
Washington |
|
Origin of Name: |
In honor of George Washington (1732-1799), first president of the
United States. |
|
Description: |
Washington, County, Kansas, is an agricultural area thirty miles
square with twelve incorporated communities. Crops grown in the
county include mainly wheat, milo or grain sorghum, corn,
soybeans, alfalfa, prairie hay and some sunflowers. The county
ranks high in the state in pork production. Many cow-calf herds
roam the beautiful prairie grasslands.
The county is very diversified in
industry ranging from metal fabrication companies, construction,
silk screening, woodworking, pet wholesaling, pallet building,
and machining companies.
The geography of the county finds
us located in three geologic regions: the Smoky Hills, Flint
Hills, and Glaciated Regions. This gives us a diverse geography
of fertile river and creek valleys, to flatland regions, to
rolling hills, varying across the county.
-
Mrs. Billie Jo Smart, Washington County Economic Development |
|
History: |
Settlers began to come into this area after the Kansas Territory
was opened in 1854. However, most of the thousands of
goldseekers traveled across Washington County in 1849 along the
Oregon Trail on their way to California. Not until 1857 did the
first settlers come in numbers to carve out farms in the rich
creek and river valleys. Little did the gold seekers realize
that the lush prairie grass covered a wealth far more precious
and lasting that the glitter of metal.
Swedes, Germans, Dutch, Danes,
Bohemians, French, Scots, English, and Irish settled in the
county until it became a miniature melting pot all in itself.
The map shown here is from History
of Kansas by Noble Prentis (1899).
The sixth principal meridian was
established in the northwest corner of the county on June 11,
1856, and a red sandstone marker was set at this point. From
this point all land in Kansas, Nebraska, three quarters of
Colorado, most of Wyoming, and a small part of South Dakota was
surveyed and numbered. A marker, dedicated on June 11, 1987, or
131 years after being set by Charles Manners, today marks this
location.
-
Mrs. Billie Jo Smart, Washington County Economic Development |
|
Cities & Townships: |
|
Place |
Population (2000 census) |
|
Washington (city) |
1,223 |
|
Barnes Township |
233 |
|
Brantford Township |
91 |
|
Charleston Township |
99 |
|
Clifton Township |
459 |
|
Coleman Township |
64 |
|
Farmington Township |
192 |
|
Franklin Township |
139 |
|
Grant Township |
25 |
|
Greenleaf Township |
450 |
|
Haddam Township |
246 |
|
Hanover Township |
884 |
|
Highland Township |
22 |
|
Independence Township |
169 |
|
Kimeo Township |
75 |
|
Lincoln Township |
84 |
|
Linn Township |
599 |
|
Little Blue Township |
93 |
|
Logan Township |
109 |
|
Lowe Township |
76 |
|
Mill Creek Township |
274 |
|
Sheridan Township |
119 |
|
Sherman Township |
249 |
|
Strawberry Township |
130 |
|
Union Township |
161 |
|
Washington Township |
218 |
|
Total population: |
6,483 |
|
|
|
 |
|
Population: |
|
1860 |
(383)
|
|
1870 |
 (4,081)
|
|
1880 |
 (14,910)
|
|
1890 |
(22,894)
|
|
1900 |
(21,963)
|
|
1910 |
(20,229)
|
|
1920 |
(17,984)
|
|
1930 |
(17,112)
|
|
1940 |
(15,921)
|
|
1950 |
 (12,977)
|
|
1960 |
 (10,739)
|
|
1970 |
 (9,249)
|
|
1980 |
 (8,543)
|
|
1990 |
 (7,073)
|
|
2000 |
 (6,483) |
|
Wichita County,
Kansas
|
Date Established: |
March 20, 1873 |
|
Date Organized: |
|
|
Location: |
|
|
County Seat: |
Leoti |
|
Origin of Name: |
Organized December 24, 1886. Boundaries defined in 1873.
Wichita was the name of a confederacy of Caddoan Indians. |
|
Cities & Townships: |
|
Place |
Population (2000 census) |
|
Beaver Township |
[defunct] |
|
Coronado Township |
[defunct] |
|
Edwards Township |
[defunct] |
|
Leoti Township |
2,531 |
|
Sinn Township |
[defunct] |
|
Sumner Township |
[defunct] |
|
Whitewoman Township |
[defunct] |
|
Yates Township |
[defunct] |
|
Total population: |
2,531 |
|
|
|
 |
|
Population: |
|
1880 |
(14)
|
|
1890 |
 (1,827)
|
|
1900 |
 (1,197)
|
|
1910 |
 (2,006)
|
|
1920 |
(1,856)
|
|
1930 |
(2,579)
|
|
1940 |
(2,185)
|
|
1950 |
(2,640)
|
|
1960 |
(2,765)
|
|
1970 |
(3,274)
|
|
1980 |
(3,041)
|
|
1990 |
(2,758)
|
|
2000 |
(2,531) |
|
Wilson County, Kansas
|
Date Established: |
August 25, 1855 |
|
Date Organized: |
September 24, 1864 |
|
Location: |
|
|
Boundaries: |
Wilson County as originally laid out was twenty-four miles square
along the southern boundary of the state, the territory which
today comprises Montgomery County. Later in the same year
[1855], the legislature expanded the county 26 miles northward
to its present northern line; in 1867, the southern half was
carved off to form Montgomery County. |
|
County Seat: |
Fredonia |
|
Origin of Name: |
In honor of Col. Hiero T. Wilson (1806-1892), settler,
postmaster, and prominent citizen of Fort Scott. |
|
History: |
When originally created, the county was within the Osage Reserve
and not open to white settlement. However, settlers began
arriving as early as 1857. No attempt was made to organize the
county until 1864, when an ambitious New Yorker named Daniel C.
Finn arrived in the region and began agitating the question. On
9 Sept 1864, Finn presented a petition for organization to the
governor, who appointed the first slate of county officers.
Several of those appointed failed to qualify, and the first
meeting of the county commissioners did not take place until
January 1867. The question of a county seat caused eight
elections between 1867 and 1873; Coy's Store [Coyville], Kalida
[Clifton], Twin Mounds [Fredonia], Neodesha, and Center each won
at least one election. The matter was finally settled in
Fredonia's favor. |
|
Cities & Townships: |
|
Place |
Population (2000 census) |
|
Fredonia (city) |
2,600 |
|
Neodesha (city) |
2,848 |
|
Cedar Township |
701 |
|
Center Township |
618 |
|
Chetopa Township |
188 |
|
Clifton Township |
414 |
|
Colfax Township |
452 |
|
Duck Creek Township |
103 |
|
Fall River Township |
398 |
|
Guilford Township |
205 |
|
Neodesha Township |
583 |
|
Newark Township |
226 |
|
Pleasant Valley Township |
201 |
|
Prairie Township |
118 |
|
Talleyrand Township |
232 |
|
Verdigris Township |
394 |
|
Webster Township |
51 |
|
Total population: |
10,332 |
|
|
|
 |
|
Population: |
|
1860 |
(27)
|
|
1870 |
(6,694)
|
|
1880 |
(13,775)
|
|
1890 |
(15,286)
|
|
1900 |
(15,621)
|
|
1910 |
(19,810)
|
|
1920 |
(21,157)
|
|
1930 |
(18,646)
|
|
1940 |
(17,723)
|
|
1950 |
(14,815)
|
|
1960 |
 (13,077)
|
|
1970 |
 (11,317)
|
|
1980 |
 (12,128)
|
|
1990 |
(10,289)
|
|
2000 |
(10,332) |
|
Woodson County,
Kansas
|
Date Established: |
August 25, 1855 |
|
Date Organized: |
|
|
Location: |
|
|
County Seat: |
Yates Center |
|
Origin of Name: |
Most likely named for Daniel Woodson (1824-1894), who served as
secretary of Kansas Territory, 1854-1857, including four stints
as acting governor. Some other sources suggest it was named for
Silas Woodson (1819-1896), a lawyer and politician in St.
Joseph, Missouri, who served as governor of that state in the
1870s. |
|
History: |
Neosho Falls was the original county seat (1858-1873). Kalida
was the seat from 1873 to 1874, when it moved to Defiance.
Yates Center became the seat after the election of 12 Sept 1876. |
|
Interesting places: |
The
courthouse square
in Yates Center is an American classic. Over fifty buildings and
stores are on the National Register of Historic Places.
Frannie's
in Yates Center is still "the" place to eat. Customer's pay one
dollar (plus tax!) and put their money directly into the open
cash register.
The town of
Kalida,
about three miles from Yates Center, pretty much vanished in the
1870s, but fascinating stone structures remain.
Just north of Yates Center on Highway 75 there's a
well-preserved
octagonal wooden barn.
Piqua was the birthplace of
Buster Keaton. His parents happened to be "playing" the town with a
medicine show when the time came; they left two weeks later.
There is a local Buster Keaton Museum. |
|
Cities & Townships: |
|
Place |
Population (2000 census) |
|
Yates Center (city) |
1,599 |
|
Belmont Township |
[defunct] |
|
Center Township |
594 |
|
Eminence Township |
[defunct] |
|
Everett Township |
[defunct] |
|
Liberty Township |
200 |
|
Neosho Falls Township |
537 |
|
North Township |
71 |
|
Owl Creek Township |
[defunct] |
|
Perry Township |
103 |
|
Toronto Township |
684 |
|
Total population: |
3,788 |
|
|
|
 |
|
Population: |
|
1860 |
 (1,488)
|
|
1870 |
 (3,827)
|
|
1880 |
(6,535)
|
|
1890 |
(9,021)
|
|
1900 |
(10,022)
|
|
1910 |
(9,450)
|
|
1920 |
(8,984)
|
|
1930 |
(8,526)
|
|
1940 |
(8,014)
|
|
1950 |
(6,711)
|
|
1960 |
(5,423)
|
|
1970 |
 (4,789)
|
|
1980 |
 (4,600)
|
|
1990 |
 (4,116)
|
|
2000 |
(3,788) |
|
Wyandotte County,
Kansas
|
Date Established: |
January 29, 1859 |
|
Date Organized: |
|
|
Location: |
|
|
County Seat: |
Kansas City |
|
Origin of Name: |
Organized in 1855. County Seat, Kansas City (formerly Wyandotte).
Named after the Indian tribe of that name. |
|
Cities & Townships: |
|
Place |
Population (2000 census) |
|
Bonner Springs (city) |
6,767 |
|
Kansas City (city) |
146,866 |
|
Lake Quivira (city) |
49 |
|
Delaware Township |
4,200 |
|
Prairie Township |
[defunct] |
|
Wyandotte Township |
[defunct] |
|
Total population: |
157,882 |
|
|
|
 |
|
Population: |
|
1860 |
(2,609)
|
|
1870 |
 (10,015)
|
|
1880 |
 (19,143)
|
|
1890 |
 (54,407)
|
|
1900 |
(73,227)
|
|
1910 |
(100,068)
|
|
1920 |
(122,218)
|
|
1930 |
(141,211)
|
|
1940 |
(145,071)
|
|
1950 |
(165,318)
|
|
1960 |
(185,495)
|
|
1970 |
(186,845)
|
|
1980 |
(172,335)
|
|
1990 |
(161,993)
|
|
2000 |
 (157,882) |
|
Links around the website:
Questions? Place an order? email to:
"BPRPL8S@PEOPLEPC.COM" |
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