Towns and Places

Springfield (1885-1900, or so)

 

   The Springfield Town Company was chartered 18 September 1885 but the town was not laid out until the spring of 1886. Springfield lay straight north of Fargo Springs and the “Canyon Road” between the two towns was the scene of the murder of Sheriff Sam Dunn during the County Seat Wars.

   This dynamic prairie town grew to a population of 800 in a short time, built a $30,000 water system, a large brick school house, two good hotels, and a public square filled with businesses. The post office was established 28 November 1887.

   The avid readers of Springfield had plenty to read between the Springfield Transcript first published 15 July 1886, the Seward County Courant on 5 Augus 1887, the Springfield Soap Box on 20 October 1887 and the Springfield Republican first published on 8 August 1890.

   Springfield’s population eventually exceeded that of Fargo Springs when the latter lost the county seat. Springfield needed only a railroad to become the central city of the region—but the Chicago, Kansas and Nebraska railroad building west through Meade County in 1887, crossed the Cimarron River a few miles below Fargo Springs, hastening the demise of both towns.

   Some early day residents believed it was Springfield’s failure to support the sale of railway bonds that caused the railway to build southwest. Another opinion was that the Kansas statutes of 1885 forbid Texas herds to be driven to Dodge City because of the cattle disease brought into the state by the Texas tick. Thus, the railway went southwest into the Neutral Strip at Old Tyrone so the huge herds of cattle could be picked up. Whatever the reason, when the railroad crossed the river and left Springfield atop the high plateau above the Cimarron, the town was doomed.

   Soon the new town, Liberal, which was founded in April 1888 near the end of the track became the county seat. Springfield, which had blossomed and bloomed, now faded and died. The post office was discontinued 15 February 1913.

 (The information in this article taken from the Southwest Daily Times, Seward County Historical Society, and Kansas State Historical Society)

 

 

About Seward County Historical Society

The Seward County Historical Society provides historic and entertainment opportunities for the local, regional and international visitors to Southwest Kansas. From Dorothy's House to traveling exhibits and a repository of local history from the Spanish exploration of Coronado to current events, SCHS provides a venue and a committed group of staff and volunteers to insure local history is preserved and to reinforce the belief that Kansas truly is a place over the rainbow.

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Address: 567 E. Cedar, Liberal, KS 67901

Phone: 620-624-7624

Email: schs@swko.net

Website: www.sewardheritage.com

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The Seward County Historical Society provides historic and entertainment opportunities for the local, regional and international visitors to Southwest Kansas. From Dorothy's House to traveling exhibits and a repository of local history from the Spanish exploration of Coronado to current events, SCHS provides a venue and a committed group of staff and volunteers to insure local history is preserved and to reinforce the belief that Kansas truly is a place over the rainbow.

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