Millbrook, Kansas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Millbrook, Kansas
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 Millbrook, Kansas
Location in Kansas
Millbrook, Kansas
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Kansas |
| County | Graham |
| Elevation | 2,162 ft (659 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| GNIS ID | 481947 |
Millbrook was once a small town in Graham County, Kansas, United States. Today, it is known as a ghost town. This means it's a place where people used to live, but now almost no one does. Millbrook is located in the western part of Kansas.
Contents
The Story of Millbrook
How Millbrook Started
Graham County was officially set up on April 1, 1880. About 1,500 people lived in the county at that time. Millbrook was chosen as the very first county seat. A county seat is like the main city or town for a county. It's where the important government offices are located.
The first leaders for the county were chosen. E. P. McCabe was the Clerk. E. C. Moses and O. G. Nevins were the commissioners. These leaders helped manage the county. The first election for the county happened on June 1st.
The Big Storm of 1887
A very powerful tornado hit Millbrook on August 4, 1887. This storm caused a lot of damage. It destroyed many buildings in the town. After the tornado, the town struggled to rebuild.
Moving the County Seat
Because of the damage, the county seat was moved. On March 10, 1888, Hill City became the new county seat. A man named J.R. Pomeroy helped develop Hill City. He gave land for the new courthouse. This same spot is still used for the courthouse today.
Hill City was chosen to be the permanent county seat. New leaders were elected for the county. J. L. Walton became the Representative. A. Morton, G. W. Morehouse, and J. N. Glover were the commissioners. Other elected officers included John Deprad as county clerk and J. R. McCowen as county attorney.
The End of the Post Office
The post office in Millbrook opened on December 5, 1878. It served the town for many years. However, after the tornado and the move of the county seat, the post office was closed. It stopped operating on August 31, 1889. This was another sign that Millbrook was becoming a ghost town.
Millbrook Today
Today, you can still find some ruins of Millbrook. The remains of a limestone schoolhouse mark the spot where the town once stood. It is located southwest of Hill City. These ruins are a reminder of the town that used to be there.
