Hamilton County, Kansas

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

Etymology - Origin of County Name

In honor of General Alexander Hamilton, the great American statesman; he was killed in a duel with Aaron Burr, July 11, 1804.

Demographics:

County QuickFacts: Census Bureau Quick Facts

County History

Hamilton County, one of the western border tier, was erected by the act of March 6, 1873, which defined the boundaries as follows: "Commencing at the intersection of the east line of range 39 west with the 4th standard parallel thence south along said range line to its intersection with the north line of township 27 south; thence along said township line to the west boundary of the State of Kansas; thence north along said west boundary line of the State of Kansas to where it is intersected by the 4th standard parallel; thence east to the place of beginning."

In 1883, when several of the western counties were discontinued by act of the legislature, the boundaries of Hamilton were extended to include the western half of the present counties of Grant and Kearny and all of the present county of Stanton, but by the act of March 5, 1887, the original boundaries were restored. At present the county is bounded on the north by Greeley county; on the east by Kearny; on the south by Stanton, and on the west by the State of Colorado. It was named for Alexander Hamilton, one of the founders of the American republic, who was killed in a duel with Aaron Burr.

Geography

The surface of the county is level in the northern part and rolling prairie in the southern. The Arkansas river enters the county from the west, near the center, and flows in a southeasterly direction until it enters Kearny county. Along this river the bottom lands are from 2 to 4 miles wide. There is little native timber, but a number of artificial groves have been planted. White magnesian limestone is abundant in the bluffs along the river and some gypsum deposits have been found.

Description

• For about five miles just west of Syracuse, highway US 50 follows the original path of the mountain route of the Santa Fe Trail.
• If you look off to the North from highway US 50 in Coolidge, you can see the old stone water tower.
• If you're feeling a little more adventurous, take the river road along the south side of the river from Syracuse to Coolidge. You'll have cottonwoods on one side and pastures on the other.
• There is a sinkhole about seven miles south of Coolidge. It's not very impressive, but the drive down to see it gives a good sense of the countryside.
• In 1900, Mayline was a tiny town on the AT&SF halfway between Kendall and Syracuse. The 1927-1928 Report from the State Board of Agriculture makes no mention of it.
• The Northrup Theater in Syracuse opened April 7, 1930 with "Footlights and Fools" starring Colleen Moore. The ornate "art deco" paint job on the interior was added in the forties. The building has been restored and is operated by the Chamber of Commerce.
• The Donahue Memorial Hospital in Syracuse has been replaced but the gracious old three-story brick building still stands on a tree-covered site high above most of town.

Neighboring Counties:

• Greeley County (north)
• Wichita County (northeast)
• Kearny County (east)
• Grant County (southeast)
• Stanton County (south)
• Prowers County, Colorado (west)

Cities and Towns:

County Resources:

Hamilton County - KS-Cyclopedia - 1912