Kingman County, located in the south central region of Kansas is the beginning of the "Cannonball Stageline" Highway and the 'true' gateway to the west. 
 
        Kingman County was established in 1874 within the prairie hunting grounds for the plains Indians.  Captain Nathan Boone, youngest son of Daniel Boone, was one of the first white men to enter Kingman County.  The plains tribes known to hunt this land were Osage, Kansas, Pawnee, Kiowa and Comanche.  Kingman County is 36 miles east to west by 24 miles north to south or 864 square miles.
 
        In the 1870's Kingman was settled by pioneers who purchased land from the government for $1.25 per acre.  The first railroad came in 1883.  A salt mine was discovered in 1887 operating until 1903.  Clyde Cessna built and flew his first airplane in 1911.  Oil was discovered in the early 1900's and in 1926 Carter Oil Co. drilled the 'deepest' oil producing well in the state.
 
        The City of Kingman quickly became the largest community of Kingman County.  Its central location, only 35 miles from Wichita, Hutchinson, and Pratt, provides a great place to call home with all the cultural opportunities and specialized services of metropolitan areas.
 
        Kingman's economy remains substantially agriculture based.  However, it also supports several manufacturing businesses, retail and service businesses, a variety of health services, schools and government agencies.
 
Visit the Class of 1909