Mitchell County

History

Organized in 1870.  County seat, Beloit.  In honor of William D. Mitchell who entered the Union army as a private in Company K, Second Kansas Cavalry; was promoted to Captain in the Second Kentucky Cavalry, and killed March 10, 1865 at Monroe's Cross Road, N. C.   Map and text from History of Kansas, Noble Prentis, (Winfield: E.P. Greer. 1899)

Cities, Towns, & Villages of Mitchell County

                           2000
    Town                Population  ZIP         Year  Elevation
    =================   ==========  =========   ====  =========
    Asherville                                  1866    1346
    Beloit                   4,019  67420       1866    1386
    Blue Hill                                           1670
    Cawker City                521  67430       1871    1500
    Gilbert                                             1432
    Glen Elder                 439  67446       1871    1424
    Hunter                      77  67452       1915    1600
    Scottsville                 21  67420               1560
    Simpson                    114  67478       1871    1337
    Solomon Rapids                                      1393
    Tipton                     243  67485       1872    1604
    Victor                                              1489

Special Places in Mitchell County

Mitchell County is one of six counties in the Solomon Valley Highway 24 Heritage Alliance.
 
The alliance is recording the history of the valley, showing visitors how to find interesting places between Hoxie in the west and Glasco in the east.

• The heart of downtown in Glen Elder is the main square called Wilson-Neff Park.  It's a shady square with a copy of the Statue of Liberty.  Many fine old post rock buildings surround the park. There's also a wonderful "castle" made of post rock that was orginally built as a big service station & garage.  The ornate architecture and craftsmanship make it a good place to stop and take pictures.
  
• Waconda Spring, now flooded by Waconda Lake, was a natural landmark in this area.  A historical marker describes the legend associated with it and a historical village is being recreated at the state park.
• Vera's Bar in Hunter is a unique institution.  The owner is somewhere between 65 and 105, and will sing at the slightest provocation.
• The view from the hill three or four miles north of Hunter is one of the best ways to see the unique beauty of this part of Kansas
• Yep, Cawker City sure does have a big ball of twine.  Started in 1953, the ball is now over 40 feet around and weighs over 8 tons.
• Downtown Beloit is jammed with neat old buildings.  The Chamber of Commerce has a tour guide brochure to help you enjoy it. 
• Beloit has two homes on the National Register of Historic Places: the Miller residence at 304 E. Main and the Reiter home at 422 W. Eighth.  Unfortunately neither is open for tours.  Beloit has four other buildings registered also: St. John's Catholic Church, the Mitchell County Courthouse, the Little Red Schoolhouse, and the Mitchell County Museum.

Special Events in Mitchell County

• Waconda Lake is the site of the annual Governor's Cup Walleye Tournament in May.
• In June, Beloit hosts the Kansas 8-Man All Star Football Game - two divisions.
• Annual takeoff on the Mariner Classic Walleye Tournament is held at Waconda Lake in June.
• Beloit has an annual Homecoming Weekend on Memorial Day Weekend.
• July Fireworks are sponsored by the Eagles (Aerie) and are held the first week of July at Waconda Lake.
• The Mitchell County Fair is held in July.
• St. John's Harvest Festival is in July in Beloit.
• During the annual Cawker City Twine-A-Thon in August, additional twine is added to the giant ball.
• Glen Elder celebrates Fun Day in August.
• The annual Tipton picnic is held in August.
• Mitchell Co. Jr. Miss in Beloit is in Beloit in October.
• Solomon Arts & Craft Show is held in the Municipal Building in Beloit, last Saturday in October.
• On Veteran's Day, November 11, Beloit celebrates with a parade.
• The day after Thanksgiving is the start of the Chautauqua Isle of Lights in Chautauqua Park in Beloit. It is open every night thru December 30th.
• Also in December, Beloit has the Community Christmas Concert with choirs, narrators and orchestra.

Libraries

• Cawker City Public Library   (785) 781-4925
  802 Locust, Cawker City, KS 67430
• Glen Elder Library   (785) 545-3632
  Glen Elder, KS 67446
• Port Library (Beloit City Library)   (785) 738-3936
  311 W Main, Beloit, KS 67420

Museums

• Mitchell County Museum   (785) 738-5355
  402 W. Eighth, Beloit, KS 67420

Colleges

• North Central Kansas Technical College   (785) 738-2276 or 1-(800) 658-4655
  Highway 24 - Box 607
  Beloit, Kansas 67420

School Systems

• USD 272 Waconda   (785) 781-4328   Cawker City, Glen Elder
• USD 273 Beloit   (785) 738-3261   Beloit  

Hospitals

• Mitchell County Hospital Health Systems   (785) 738-2266
  408 W. 8th St., Beloit, KS 67420

Newspapers

• Beloit Call   (785) 738-3537
  119 E. Main, Beloit, KS 67420
• Cawker City Ledger   (785) 781-4831

More Data About Mitchell County

Genealogy

• Mitchell County KSGenWeb

References

• Muilenburg, G. & Swinford, A. Land of the Post Rock (Lawrence: University Press of Kansas. 1975)

Mitchell County Offices

• Mitchell County   (785) 738-3652
  P. O. Box 190, Beloit, KS 67420
• Extension Service   (785) 738-3597

For more about Mitchell County contact:

• Beloit Area Chamber of Commerce   (785) 738-2717
  123 N. Mill / P. O. Box 582, Beloit, KS 67420
• Leadership Mitchell County