Edwards County, Kansas: History and Information

Named in honor of John H. Edwards, of Ellis, State Senator. Colonel Edwards removed from Kansas to New Mexico

Demographics:

History

Edwards County.—On March 7, 1874, Gov. Osborn approved an act creating several new counties and defining the boundaries of some previously erected. By this act Edwards county was called into existence with the following described boundaries: "Commencing at the intersection of the east line of range 16 west with the north line of township 24 south, thence west with said township line to the east line of range 19 west, thence north with said range line to the north line of township 23 south, thence west with said township line to the east line of range 21 west, thence south with said range line to the north line of township 27 south, thence east with said township line to the east line of range 16 west, thence north to the place of beginning."

By the act of March 5, 1875, which abolished Kiowa county, two tiers of townships were added to Edwards on the south, giving it an area of 972 square miles. Kiowa county was reëstablished by the act of Feb. 10, 1886, when the original boundaries of Edwards county were restored, so that the present area of the county is 612 square miles. It was named for W. E. Edwards, one of the early settlers, who erected the first brick block in the county, which block was occupied as a courthouse for several years before a building was erected by the county.

Geography

This is prairie country. Much of Edwards County is covered with a sandy soil used to produce alfalfa. Huge piles of hay are everywhere. Small hills that look like grass-covered sand dunes are also common.

Long before the county was settled, travelers used the Santa Fe trail through this area. During the Mexican War, a detachment of soldiers was attacked while using the trail near the site that was to become Kinsley.

By the 1870s, it was clear that a railroad would follow the trail, and permanent settlers arrived. Edwards County was actually named for W. C. Edwards, who built a block of buildings in Kinsley during its early days.

Along the Arkansas river, which enters the county near the southwest corner and flows northeast, the "bottoms" are about 3 miles wide, constituting about one-fourth of the area. The remaining surface is generally level or undulating prairie. Narrow belts of cottonwood trees are found along the Arkansas river and Rattlesnake creek, which flows across the southeast corner. These comprise about all the native timber, but many fine artificial groves have been planted. Building stone is found on the hills, which is the principal mineral of any kind.

Neighboring Counties:

North: Pawnee County
Northeast: Stafford County
Southeast: Pratt County
South: Kiowa County
Southwest: Ford County
Northwest: Hodgeman County

Cities and Towns:

- Belpre	city	Incorporated Area
- Jackson	township
- Kinsley (County Seat)	city	Incorporated Area
- Lewis	city	Incorporated Area
- North Brown	township
- Offerle	city	Incorporated Area
- South Brown	township
- Trenton	township
- Wayne	township

County Resources:

Edwards County - KS-Cyclopedia - 1912

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Kansas

Kansas Counties

Kansas Counties

Edwards County, Kansas

Edwards County History, Geography, Demographics, Cities and Towns, and Education

Etymology - Origin of County Name