History
|
| Organized in 1872. County seat
Smith Center.
In memory of Nathan Smith, Major of Second Colorado
Volunteers, killed October 23, 1864, at the battle
of the Little Blue, Mo.
|
Map and text from History of Kansas,
Noble Prentis, (Winfield: E.P. Greer. 1899)
|
William G. Cutler's
History of Kansas, first published in 1883, tells about
early Smith County.
The Kansas State Historical Society also has
more
historical data for Smith County online including a rich bibliography and
lists of cemeteries, post offices, and newspapers.
The Special Collections of the Ablah Library at WSU contain historical images of
Smith Center,
Kensington,
Gaylord,
Lebanon, and
Athol.
Cities, Towns, & Villages of Smith County
2000
Year Elev Population Name ZIP
==== ==== ========== ================ =====
1789 51 Athol 66932
1890 Bellaire
1631 Cedar 67628
1660 Claudell
1960 Cora
1548 Dispatch
1592 145 Gaylord 67638
1576 Harlan 67641
1784 529 Kensington 66951
1821 303 Lebanon 66952
1900 Reamsville
1871 1800 1,931 Smith Center 66967
2076 Thornburg
1933 Womer
Census Bureau Profile & Map
Special Places in Smith County
- Just northwest of Athol is the "Home on the range" cottage (1871);
it's amazingly small.
- Lebanon is close to the "Center of the US" and a good state road gives access to the little park where the marker is located.
- Smith Center, the county seat has an Old Dutch-style windmill once used to grind grain.
Special Events in Smith County
- Gaylord has become known as the "Watermelon City" and people from miles around gather on Labor Day weekend to celebrate Watermelon Day.
- Kensington celebrates Veterans Day with a community barbeque.
- The Smith County Free Fair is held in July in Smith Center.
Libraries
- Athol City Library (785) 695-2314
P.O. Box 12, Athol, KS 66932
- Gaylord City Library (785) 697-2650
P.O. Box 570, Gaylord, KS 67638-0570
- Kensington Community Library (785) 476-2219
209 E. Ash, Kensington, KS 66951
- Lebanon City Library (785) 389-5711
North Main, Lebanon, KS 66952-0067
- Smith Center Public Library (785) 282-3361
119 W. Court Street / Smith Center, KS 66967
Smith County School Systems
- USD 237 Smith Center (785) 282-6665 Smith Center
- USD 238 West Smith County (785) 476-2218 Kensington
Hospitals
- Smith County Memorial Hospital (785) 282-6845
614 S. Main, Smith Center, KS 66967
Newspapers
- Lebanon Times (785) 389-6631
409 Walnut, Lebanon, KS 66952
- Smith County Pioneer (785) 282-3371
614 S. Main, Smith Center, KS 66967
More Data About Smith County
Genealogy
Smith County Offices
- Smith County (785) 282-5110
218 S. Grant St., Smith Center, KS 66967
- Extension Service
For more about Smith County contact:
- Chamber of Commerce (785) 282-3895
113 S. Main, Smith Center, KS 66967
