a city in Cowley County; population ~12,400

location of Arkansas City

History

In 1870 a town site was laid out on the peninsula between the Arkansas and Walnut Rivers, four miles from the south line of the county and twelve miles south of Winfield. The town was called Adelphi, Walnut City, and then Creswell before being named Arkansas City. The order for the incorporation of the city was issued on June 10, 1872, by W. P. Campbell, Judge of the Thirteenth District, and the first election of officers was held on July 2.

The Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway reached the city on December 3, 1879, and Arkansas City has prospered ever since.

boating on the Walnut River in Harrison's Park, 1889

In August 1893, over 50,000 people swarmed into Arkansas City in anticipation of the Cherokee Strip Land Run, which took place on September 16.

"boomers" camping at Arkansas City prior to the Cherokee Strip Land Run

Other Information

George Docking was a successful banker in Arkansas City before serving as Governor Kansas, from 1967 to 1975.

OFFICIAL WEBSITES
City of Arkansas City www.arkcity.org/

SEE ALSO
Cherokee Strip Land Run

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This page was last updated on September 22, 2017.