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Sherman County, Kansas

Sherman County, Kansas experienced rather intense battles over the location of the county seat. Prior to the county’s establishment there was a massacre of military troops by hostile Indians.

Sherman County, Kansas, organized in 1886, was named after well-known Civil War figure General William T. Sherman. He was later the U.S.’s Army General Commander.

Years before the county was established in 1873, Lieutenant Kidder and his men were brutally murdered by Indians in 1867. Kidder was on his way to General Custer, and Custer sent out men to find them. They discovered their remains, which had been very brutally murdered. 

After the county’s organization, the question of the county seat came about. The county had quite the debate over the county seat. Court battles, and even a situation involving armed men occurred. Goodland ended up the winner of the county seat, and its main contender, Eustis, eventually moved to Goodland.

Sherman County properties listed in the National Register of Historic Places include Goodland City Library, a Carnegie Library built around 1913. Kanorado Archeological District has connection so the Paleoindian times and possible connections to Clovis and Folsom cultures.

There are notable figures with connection to Sherman County, Julius H. Stewart was a Civil War veteran and minister who traveled on an established circuit from Cheyenne County to Sherman County to deliver religious services. In 1887, he was appointed the Methodist minister in the county. He later became editor of one of the county’s newspapers. Charles Speaks served in Congress from the county from 1929 to 1933.

Quick Facts

Date Established: March 20, 1873
Date Organized: September 20, 1886
County Seat: Goodland
Kansas Region: Northwest
Physiographic Region: High Plains
Courthouse: May 9, 1931

Timeline

1873 - Sherman County is established.
1886 - Sherman County is organized.
1886 - 1888- County seat disputes occur in the county. Goodland eventually is permanently the county seat. 

More on Sherman County

Sources

Entry: Sherman 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.