Trails to the Past: Cities and Towns of Dickinson County, Kansas

Dickinson County Cities and Towns

A brief history of the towns of Dickinson county, complete with links to more information about each town, if one is available.

Abiline

Abiline is the largest city in Dickinson County, and is the county seat. Abeline was founded in 1857 by Timothy Fletcher Hersey, and given its name by his wife (my gg grandfather's youngest sister), Eliza Rachel Johnson Hersey. The name "Abeline" was taken from the Bible, and means "city of the plains." It was a mere stage coach stop when first established, but quickly grew when Joseph G. McCoy decided to use the town to locate his stockyards. Thus, Abiline became the first "cow town" of the west.

Another claim to fame for Abiline is that it became the home of future president, Dwight David Eisenhower, as his family moved here from Dennison Texas. Pres. Eisenhower attended elementary and high school in Abiline; the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum are located here; President and Mrs. Eisenhower are also buried here.

Herington

Herington is located in the southeast corner of the county. It was founded by Monroe Davis Herrington (he later dropped one "r" from his surname). The US Government had given this site to the railroads to induce further building in the new territory. In 1879 this area was purchased from the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railway Company by George Noble, who started a cattle ranch here, then promptly sold it to Count Charles Alioth and his wife. Mr. Herington wanted to trade his business holdings in Illinois for land in the West. When he saw an ad in the local newspaper, he visited the Alioth's and arranged to buy their ranch. Mr. Herington received a warranty deed from the Alioth's on August 2, 1880; in March 1881 he moved his family to their new home. Herington has long been a hub for many railroads, and is still a hub for the Union Pacific Railroad today, due mostly to M.D. Herington's arranging for railways to have a right of way through his ranch, and for building what eventually became the city of Herington, Kansas.

Chapman

Pioneers began settling in this area beginning in 1855, although no official town was established until 1871. George Freeman settled on land 4 miles north of present-day Chapman, and John Erwin and Michael Hunt arrived in 1857, settling on land about a mile north of today's city. Dickinson County's boundaries were officially established in 1858. John Erwin's home became a center of pioneer hospitality in those early years, as he did not refuse any passer-by a meal or a night's lodging. Mr. Erwin also became the first postmaster to this area, the post office being called Farmington Post Office. In 1866 the first Catholic church was built close to the Erwin home, and the first district school was held in this church. In 1872 the town was incorporated and named "Chapman," after Chapman Creek.

Solomon

The town of Solomon was first founded as a town company, named Solomon City, in 1865. The town grew slowly at first: the first store was not established until 1867 and the first hotel in 1868. The Union Pacific Railroad arrived later in 1868 and decided the location of the town. Solomon was incorporated in 1871.

Enterprise

The city known as Enterprise was started about 1868 when Mr. C. Huffman built a frame mill there. A store was opened the following year, and in 1872 the Methodists erected a small church building. The town was laid out in 1872, and in January, 1875 a town company was organized. By the end of the year several new business enterprises had been started, a hotel built, and Mr. Hoffman erected a larger mill.

Hope

In 1872 a group of people, led by Newell Thurstin, began planning a town site in Hope. A post office was also established that same year. The city was incorporated in 1886. David Eisenhower, father of former President Dwight D. Eisenhower, lived on a 160 acre ranch near Hope from 1878 until he left for college. In partnership with Milton Good, he operated a general store here in 1885. This was also a railroad stop beginning in 1885, although it is no longer served by a railroad.

Woodbine

Woodbine was founded in 1887 by James Allen Gillett, who named it for his hometown of Woodbine, Illinois.

Wikipedia's Page for Woodbine

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25 September, 2010