Finney County, KS

History

Originally Sequoyah, from the celebrated Cherokee Indian of that name, the inventor of the alphabet of his language, and a most remarkable man. Changed in 1883 to Finney, in honor of D. W. Finney, then Lieutenant-Governor of the State.

Map and text from History of Kansas, Noble Prentis, (Winfield: E.P. Greer. 1899)

Garden City was the longtime home of C. J. "Buffalo" Jones who is sometimes credited with saving the buffalo from extinction.

Garfield county was annexed into Finney county in 1893 causing Finney county's strange shape.

The Special Collections of the Ablah Library at WSU contain historical images of Garden City.

The Kansas State Historical Society also has more historical data for Finney County online including a rich bibliography and lists of cemeteries, post offices, and newspapers.

Cities, Towns, & Villages of Finney County


    Town                Population  ZIP         Year  Elevation
    =================   ==========  =========   ====  =========
    Eminence                                    1887
    Friend                          67871               2915
    Gano                                                2893
    Garden City             28,451  67846       1878    2839
    Holcomb                  2,026  67851               2885
    Kalvesta                        67856       1874    2668
    Lowe                                                2920
    Mansfield                                           2800
    Peterson                                            2970
    Pierceville                     67868       1872    2760
    Plymell                                             2878
    Quinby                                              2865
    Ravanna                                     1882    2559
    Ritchal                                             2943
    Rodkey                                              2905
    Tennis                                              2895
    Terry                        0              1885
    Wolf                                                2986

Census Bureau Profile & Map

Special Places in Finney County

US-50 follows the original Santa Fe Trail through Pierceville which has a shady little park at which to stop and stretch.
The home of Senator Willam H. Thompson (1871-1928) in Garden City has been nominated for the NRHP. He served in the US Senate 1913-1919.
Sabine Hall in Garden City was built in 1910. In 1920 it was named for Dr. Andrew Sabine, credited with the first use of anesthesia on the battlefield during the Civil War.

Special Events in Finney County

Garden City hosts Beef Empire Days in early June.

Libraries

Finney County Public Library (620) 272-3680
605 E. Walnut / Garden City, KS 67846

Museums

Finney County Historical Museum (620) 272-3664
fico.historical@gcnet.com fax: 620-272-3662
Finnup Park / 403 S. Fourth St. / P.O. Box 796 / Garden City, KS 67846

Newspapers

Garden City Telegram (620) 275-8500
310 N. 7th / Garden City, KS 67846

Finney County School Systems

USD 363 Holcomb (620) 277-2629 Holcomb
USD 457 Garden City (620) 276-5100 Garden City

Hospitals

Saint Catherine Hospital (620) 272-2222
410 E Walnut St. / Garden City, KS 67846

More Data About Finney County

Economic Development

University of Kansas' County Profile Reports
Statistical data from The Institute for Public Policy and Business Research

Health Data

KDHE's Finney County Health Profile

Genealogy

Finney County KSGenWeb

Finney County Offices

Finney County (620) 276-3051
P. O. Box M / Garden City, KS 67846
Extension Service (620) 272-3670
501 S 9th St, Garden City,KS 67846

For more about Finney County contact:

Garden City Convention and Tourism Bureau (800) 879-9803
1511 E. Fulton Terrace / Garden City, KS