Kearny County, Kansas
During the years of 1821 to 1870, the section of the Santa Fe Trail running through Kearny County was active with travelers headed to Santa Fe. The county provided the last chance for the travelers to choose the final route they would take to Santa Fe, the safer Mountain route, or the quicker Cimarron route.
Kearny County, Kansas, spelled “Kearney” at one time, was organized in 1888. It is named after Mexican-American War veteran and Union Civil War General Philip Kearny. He was killed in a battle in 1862. Kearny County was once part of the land that was the old Washington County, Peketon County, and later an enlarged Marion County.
The Santa Fe Trail went through Kearny County. Indian Mound, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was a tool in guiding individuals to Chouteau’s Island. Chouteau’s Island was named when August P. Chouteau and the group he was with clashed with the Pawnee Indians in 1816. It was around the area of the Indian mound that travelers of the Santa Fe Trail had their last chance to decide the final route they would take to Santa Fe. They could continue on and take the safer, but longer, common route with access water Mountain route, or they could take the shorter, but more dangerous Cimarron route. The Santa Fe Trail- Kearney County Segment (Charlie’s Ruts) is on the National Register of Historic Places.
As the Santa Fe Railroad come into the county, John O’Loughlin came to Kearny county, and along with starting a trading post, helped with the establishment of Lakin, which is now the county seat.
During the 1880’s and 1890’s irrigation was a big cause being discussed and acted upon. The first one hundred miles of an irrigation ditch was constructed in the northern part of the county. This early attempt at irrigation was a major even in the agriculture development of the area.
The 1930’s, or Dust Bowl, brought the hardship of dust storms during the Dust Bowl. The western part of Kansas suffered hard.
Quick Facts
| Date Established: | March 20, 1873 |
| Date Organized: | March 27, 1888 |
| County Seat: | Lakin |
| Kansas Region: | Southwest |
| Physiographic Region: | High Plains and Arkansas River Lowlands |
| Courthouse: | September 30, 1939 |
Timeline
1816 - August P. Chouteau fights the Pawnee result in the naming of Chauteau’s Island.
1821 - 1870-The portion of the Santa Fe Trail to run through the county is used.
1873 - Kearny County is established
1888 - Kearny County is organized
1880 - 1890 - Irrigation is a big cause in Kearny County and neighboring counties
More on Kearny County
- National and State Register
- Kansas Historical Markers
- Kansas Memory
- Archives Catalog
- Counties Database
- Kearny County Government
Sources
Entry: Kearny County, Kansas
Author: Kansas Historical Society
Author information: The Kansas Historical Society is a state agency charged with actively safeguarding and sharing the state's history.
Date Created: February 2010
Date Modified: August 2023
The author of this article is solely responsible for its content.
