Graham County, KS

The beautiful valley of the Solomon river runs across Graham County from west to east; highway US24 takes advantage of the natural highway and follows the river across the county. US283 crosses both at Hill City.

Antelope Lake near Morland was built in the 1930's as a WPA project and now offers fine fishing.
Morland is justly proud of the relief on the front of the Citizens State Bank on Main Street.
An historical marker at Nicodemus describes this old black "exoduster" settlement which is nearly gone; good signs help understand what's left.

History

Organized in 1880. County seat Hill City. In honor of Captain John L. Graham, of the Eighth Regiment, Kansas Infantry--killed in action at Chickamauga, Tenn., September 19, 1863, before he was mustered.

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

John L. Graham, Captain, 8th Kansas, for whom the county was named, was killed at the Civil War battle of Chickamauga.

William G. Cutler's History of Kansas, first published in 1883, tells about early Graham County.

The Special Collections of the Ablah Library at WSU contain historical images of Nicodemus, Morland, and Hill City

The little town of Gradan has vanished, but some history is available online.

The Union Pacific once followed the Solomon across the county.

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

Cities & Towns of Graham County


                           2000
    Town                Population  ZIP         Year  Elevation
    =================   ==========  =========   ====  =========
    Bogue                      179  67625       1888    2050
    Hill City                1,604  67642       1880    2190
    Morland                    164  67650       1886    2310
    Nicodemus                                   1877    2015
    Penokee                         67659               2228
    Roscoe                                              2308
    St. Peter                                           2495
    Smithfield                                          2397
    Studley
    Togo                                                2368

Census Bureau Profile & Map

Special Places in Graham County

Solomon Valley U.S. Highway 24 Heritage Alliance

Graham County is one of six counties in the Solomon Valley Highway 24 Heritage Alliance.

The alliance is recording the history of the valley, showing visitors how to find interesting places between Hoxie in the west and Glasco in the east.

Relief in the brick on the Citizens State Bank in Morland, Kansas

There is a intriguing relief in the brickwork on the front of the Citizens State Bank in Morland. A section of that relief is shown in the picture on the right.

Special Events

Hill City hosts the Graham County Fair and Rodeo the last weekend in July.

School Systems

USD 281 Hill City (785) 421-2135 Home of the Ringnecks

Health Care

Graham County Hospital (785) 421-2121
304 W Prout St. / Hill City, KS 67642

Libraries

Graham County Public Library (785) 421-2722
414 N. West Street / Hill City, KS 67642

Museums

Graham County Oil Museum (785) 421-5621
West Highway 24 / Hill City, KS 67642
Graham County Historical Society & Museum
103 East Cherry / Hill City, KS 67642

Newspapers

Hill City Times (785) 421-5700
110 N. Pomeroy / P. O. Box 308 / Hill City, KS 67642-0308

More Data About Graham County

Health Data

KDHE's Graham County Health Profile

Genealogy

Graham County KSGenWeb

Graham County Offices

County Clerk (785) 421-3453
410 Pomeroy St. / Hill City, KS 67642
Sheriff Emergency - 911
Seventeenth Judicial District
Extension Service