Richland, Kansas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Richland, Kansas
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Former street of Richland
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 Richland, Kansas
Location in Kansas
Richland, Kansas
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Kansas |
| County | Shawnee |
| Elevation | 932 ft (284 m) |
| Population | |
| • Total | 0 |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| Area code | 785 |
| FIPS code | 20-59625 |
| GNIS ID | 484928 |
Richland is a place in Kansas that used to be a town but isn't anymore. It's called a ghost town because almost everyone has left, and most of its buildings are gone. It's located in the southeastern part of Shawnee County, Kansas, in the United States.
Contents
The Story of Richland
Early Days and Growth
In 1854, a man named Charles Matney was one of the first people to settle where Richland would later be. He chose a spot near where Camp Creek meets the Wakarusa River. A few years later, in 1857, Richland got its own post office. A schoolhouse, built from logs, was also constructed on Matney's land.
Richland soon became an important center for farming in the area. It grew to have many businesses, including a bank, a barber shop, a church, and even two doctors and two blacksmiths. There was also a pharmacy, a hotel, and a general store.
Railroad and More Businesses
In the early 1870s, a railroad called the St. Louis, Lawrence and Denver Railroad came to Richland. This made it easier for people and goods to travel. However, the railroad didn't last long and stopped running in 1894.
Even without the railroad, Richland kept growing. By the 1890s, nearly 300 people lived there. More businesses opened, like a lumber yard and shops that sold hats. There was even an ice cream parlor!
In 1893, Richland started its own newspaper called Argosy. It shared local news and updates from nearby towns like Twin Mound, Overbrook, and Clinton.
Famous Visitor and Local Fairs
In the summer of 1894, a famous writer named Laura Ingalls Wilder passed through Richland with her family. She wrote in her diary that the townspeople were very friendly. She even thought about moving there if her family didn't like their new home in Missouri.
In October 1903, Richland began holding an annual event called the Richland Street Fair. This fair was a big deal, with parades, fun games, and talent shows for everyone to enjoy.
A Special Resident and the Town's End
Richland was also the home of Georgia Neese Clark Gray. In 1949, she was chosen by President Harry S Truman to be the Treasurer of the United States. This was a very important job, and she was the first woman ever to hold it! She served in this role until 1953.
By 1967, a big project called Clinton Lake was being planned. This new lake would cover much of Richland's original location. Some businesses moved about a mile north to a new spot they called New Richland Corners.
The last street fair was held in July 1967. However, the Richland Fair Association decided to have one more final fair the next year.
The post office in Richland closed in 1969. By 1974, most of the remaining town buildings were taken down. Today, not much is left of Richland. You can still see some old building ruins, parts of paved streets, and the town's cemetery. Most of the land where Richland once stood is now owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Notable People
- Georgia Neese Clark Gray: She was born in Richland and became the first female Treasurer of the United States.
