History

Organized in 1874. County seat Greensburg. Named after the Kiowa Indians.   Map and text from History of Kansas, Noble Prentis, (Winfield: E.P. Greer. 1899)

 
"Greensburg is the liveliest town in the state today, for money, marbles or watermelons"

- from the Kiowa County Signal June 1, 1888

Greensburg was named for stagecoach driver D. R. Green.  He once ejected Carrie Nation from his coach after she snatched a cigar from his mouth and tossed it away.

On October 23, 1911, Greensburg's first speeding ticket involving an auto was issued for exceeding the speed limit of 10mph.
 
The Special Collections of the Ablah Library at WSU contain historical images of Greensburg.
 
The Kansas State Historical Society also has more historical data for Kiowa County online including a rich bibliography and lists of cemeteries, post offices, and newspapers.

Cities, Towns, & Villages of Kiowa County

                           2000
    Town                Population  ZIP         Year  Elevation
    =================   ==========  =========   ====  =========
    Belvidere                       67015               1845
    Brenham                                             2210
    Greensburg               1,574  67054               2235
    Haviland                   612  67059       1884    2150
    Joy                                                 2286
    Mullinville                279  67109               2330
    Wellsford                                           2116

Special Places in Kiowa County

• The world's largest hand dug well in Greensburg, completed in 1887, is 109 feet deep and 32 feet wide.  There is also a 1000 pound meteorite on display there.  Going to the well is a requirement for true Kansans.
• Hunter Drugstore in Greensburg still has a soda fountain and wonderful wood and marble booths.
• Soldier Creek Cemetery on a hill in southeast Kiowa county offers a great view of the rangeland that covers that area. Walk around the perimeter and enjoy the silence broken only by the sound of a working windmill.  You'll be transported back a century or so.
• Along highway 154 on the west edge of Mullinville, there is a bizarre collection of what is best described as "kinetic art".  Wind powered objects twirl and dance.  Most are inscribed with the artist's strong opinions; everyone can find something to be offended by.  Mullinville also has a gazebo in Gallion Park beside K154.
• The Fromme/Birney "round" barn is just southwest of Mullinville.  The labor and craftsmanship in this building are incredible. Call (620) 723-3263 for more information.
• A few houses and a Methodist church built in 1911 are about all that's left of Wellsford.

Special Events in Kiowa County

• Haviland hosts a big Antique Thresher & Engine Show the last weekend in August
• Greensburg has it Arts & Crafts Fair and Car Show Memorial Day Weekend
• The Barclay College Auction is the first weekend in October in Haviland.

Kiowa County School Systems

• USD 422 Greensburg   (620) 723-2145 Greensburg
• USD 424 Mullinville Cougars   (620) 548-2521   FAX: (620) 548-2515
• USD 474 Haviland   (620) 862-5256 Haviland

Colleges & Universities

• Barclay College   (620) 862-5252
  607 N. Kingman, Haviland, Kansas 67059

Hospitals

• Kiowa County Memorial Hospital   (620) 723-3341
  501 S. Walnut / Greensburg, KS 67054

Libraries

• Kiowa County Library   (620) 723-2683
  120 S. Main / Greensburg, KS 67054
• Mullinville Public Library   (620) 548-2630
  115 N. Main / Mullinville, KS 67109

Museums

• Kiowa County Historical Museum   2:00-4:00 PM Weekends
  Main Street & Highway 54 / Greensburg, KS 67054
• The Big Well   (620) 723-2261 - 1000 pound meteorite
  315 S Sycamore / Greensburg, KS 67054

Newspapers

• Kiowa County Signal   (620) 723-2115
  120 N. Main / Greensburg, KS 67054

More Data About Kiowa County

Genealogy

• Kiowa County KSGenWeb

Kiowa County Offices

• Kiowa County   (620) 723-3366
  211 E. Florida Ave. / Greenburg, KS 67054
• Extension Service   (620) 723-2156
  211 E. Florida / Greensburg, KS 67054

For more about Kiowa County contact:

• Greensburg Chamber of Commerce   (620) 723-2261 or 1-800-207-7369 •  bigwell@midway.net
  315 S. Sycamore / Greensburg, KS 67054

References

• WPA. The WPA Guide to 1930s Kansas (Lawrence: University Press of Kansas, reprint 1984) See tour 5b, page 418.