County Seat: Greensburg
Founded: 1886
Population:
· 3,278 (2000)
· 3,660 (1990)
· 2,365 (1900)
Area: 723 Square Miles
Standard Abbreviation: KW
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Kiowa County |
Kiowa County Courthouse
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History
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Organized in 1874. County seat
Greensburg.
Named after the Kiowa Indians. |
Map and text from History of Kansas,
Noble Prentis, (Winfield: E.P. Greer. 1899)
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"Greensburg is the liveliest town in the state today,
for money, marbles or watermelons"
- from the Kiowa County Signal June 1, 1888
Greensburg was named for stagecoach driver D. R. Green.
He once ejected Carrie Nation from his coach after she snatched
a cigar from his mouth and tossed it away.
On October 23, 1911, Greensburg's first speeding ticket involving
an auto was issued for exceeding the speed limit of 10mph.
The Special Collections of the Ablah Library at WSU contain historical images of
Greensburg.
The Kansas State Historical Society also has
more
historical data for Kiowa County online including a rich bibliography and lists of
cemeteries, post offices, and newspapers.
Cities, Towns, & Villages of Kiowa County 2000
Town Population ZIP Year Elevation
================= ========== ========= ==== =========
Belvidere 67015 1845
Brenham 2210
Greensburg 1,574 67054 2235
Haviland 612 67059 1884 2150
Joy 2286
Mullinville 279 67109 2330
Wellsford 2116
Census Bureau Profile & Map
Special Places in Kiowa County
- The world's largest hand dug well in Greensburg, completed
in 1887, is 109 feet deep and 32 feet wide. There is also a 1000
pound meteorite on display there. Going to the well is a requirement
for true Kansans.
- Hunter Drugstore in Greensburg still has a soda fountain and
wonderful wood and marble booths.
- Soldier Creek Cemetery on a hill in southeast Kiowa county
offers a great view of the rangeland that covers that area.
Walk around the perimeter and enjoy the silence broken only by
the sound of a working windmill. You'll be transported back
a century or so.
- Along highway 154 on the west edge of Mullinville,
there is a bizarre collection of what is best described as
"kinetic art". Wind powered objects twirl and dance. Most are
inscribed with the artist's strong opinions;
everyone can find something to be offended by.
Mullinville also has a gazebo in Gallion Park beside K154.
- The Fromme/Birney "round" barn is just southwest of Mullinville.
The labor and craftsmanship in this building are incredible.
Call (620) 723-3263 for more information.
- A few houses and a Methodist church built in 1911 are about all
that's left of Wellsford.
Special Events in Kiowa County
- Haviland hosts a big Antique Thresher & Engine Show the last weekend in August
- Greensburg has it Arts & Crafts Fair and Car Show Memorial Day Weekend
- The Barclay College Auction is the first weekend in October in Haviland.
Kiowa County School Systems
Colleges & Universities
Hospitals
Libraries
- Kiowa County Library (620) 723-2683
120 S. Main / Greensburg, KS 67054
- Mullinville Public Library (620) 548-2630
115 N. Main / Mullinville, KS 67109
Museums
- Kiowa County Historical Museum 2:00-4:00 PM Weekends
Main Street & Highway 54 / Greensburg, KS 67054
- The Big Well (620) 723-2261 - 1000 pound meteorite
315 S Sycamore / Greensburg, KS 67054
Newspapers
More Data About Kiowa County
Economic Development
- Kansas County Profile Reports
Statistical data from The Institute for Policy and Social Research, the University of Kansas
Health Data
Genealogy
Kiowa County Offices
For more about Kiowa County contact:
- Greensburg Chamber of Commerce (620) 723-2261 or 1-800-207-7369 • bigwell@midway.net
315 S. Sycamore / Greensburg, KS 67054
References
- WPA. The WPA Guide to 1930s Kansas
(Lawrence: University Press of Kansas, reprint 1984) See tour 5b, page 418.
Last updated on
March 9, 2012
by COUNTIES@KSLIB.INFO
Hosted by
A service of the Kansas State Library
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| Graphics by John Howell, photos by Susan Howell, used by permission. |
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