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Kansas Counties
Kansas has one hundred and five counties. Originally 33 counties were organized by the Territorial Legislature in 1855. The Chase County Courthouse in Cottonwood Falls, Kansas was built in 1873 and is the oldest operating courthouse in Kansas. As of January 1, 2009 Greeley County and the city of Tribune unified to form the Unified Government of Greeley County..Edwards County, Kansas
Edwards County Education, Geography, and History
Edwards County is a county located in the states of Kansas. Based on the 2010 census, the county population was 3,037. The county was created in 1874. The county seat and most populous city is Kinsley. Edwards county is named for W. C. Edwards, of Hutchinson, a pioneer settler, who played an active role in its organization.
Etymology - Origin of Edwards County Name
Edwards county is named for W. C. Edwards, of Hutchinson, a pioneer settler, who played an active role in its organization.
Demographics:
County QuickFacts: CensusBureau Quick Facts
Edwards County 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 reestablished 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.
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.
Geography: Land and Water
As reported by the Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 622 square miles (1,610 km2), of which 622 square miles (1,610 km2) is land and 0.1 square miles (0.26 km2) (0.01%) is water
Edwards county is located close to the center of Kansas. 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.Along the Arkansas river, which enters the county near the southwest corner and flows northeast, the "bottoms" are about 3 miles wide, creating about one-fourth of the area. The remaining surface is mostly level or rolling prairie. Cottonwood trees are found along the Arkansas river and Rattlesnake creek, which flows across the southeast corner. Building stone is found on the hills.
Neighboring Counties
Bordering counties are as follows:
- North: Pawnee County
- Northeast: Stafford County
- Southeast: Pratt County
- South: Kiowa County
- Southwest: Ford County
- Northwest: Hodgeman County
Education
Unified School Districts
Kinsley-Offerle USD 347
Lewis USD 502
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