Ottawa County KS

History

Created in 1860 and organized in 1866. County seat Minneapolis. Named for the tribe of Ottawas

Map and text from History of Kansas, Noble Prentis, (Winfield: E.P. Greer. 1899)

Minneapolis was the boyhood home of the famous scientist George Washington Carver from 1880 to 1885.

William G. Cutler's History of Kansas, first published in 1883, tells about early Ottawa County.

There is a section on Ottawa County in the book Kansas: a Cyclopedia Of State History by Frank Blackmar (1912).

The Special Collections of the Ablah Library at WSU contain historical images of Minneapolis, Culver, and Delphos.

The Kansas State Historical Society also has historical data for Ottawa County online including a rich bibliography and lists of cemeteries, post offices, and newspapers.

Cities, Towns, & Villages of Ottawa County

                 2000
  Year  Elev  Population Name              ZIP
  ====  ====  ========== ================ =====
        1301             Ada              67414
        1250             Alfmil
        1221         623 Bennington       67422
        1263             Brewer
        1260         164 Culver           67484
        1300         469 Delphos          67436
        1370             Lamar
        1242             Lindsey
        1253       2,046 Minneapolis      67467
        1200             Niles
        1284             Sumnerville
        1294         339 Tescott          67484
        1199             Verdi
        1300             Vine Creek
        1372             Wells            67488

U.S. Census Bureau's QuickFacts about Ottawa County, Kansas

Ottawa County School Systems

USD 239 North Ottawa County (785) 392-2167 Minneapolis
USD 240 Twin Valley (785) 488-3325 Bennington

Ottawa County Museums

Delphos Museum 785-523-4658
101 N. Washington (corner of Washington and First), Delphos, KS 67436
Ottawa County Historical Museum (785) 392-3621
110 S. Concord · Minneapolis, KS 67467

Ottawa County Newspapers

Delphos Republican
Minneapolis Messenger (785) 392-2129
108 North Concord · Minneapolis, KS 67467

Special Places in Ottawa County

Rock City Park is a national natural landmark filled with large and unusual rock formations located about 2.5 miles SW of Minneapolis
The Red Post Tours offer guides for touring Ottawa County by car. Contact the Chamber of Commerce at (785) 392-3068 for more information.
The city library and museum offers an exibit and plaque about George Washington Carver.

More Data About Ottawa County

Health Data

KDHE's Ottawa County Health Profile

Geologic Data

The Kansas Geological Society has a Geologic Map of Ottawa County online.

Genealogy

Ottawa County KSGenWeb

Ottawa County Offices

Ottawa County (785) 392-2279
307 N. Concord St. · Minneapolis, KS 67467
Extension Service (785) 392-2147
307 N Concord, Suite 190 / Minneapolis, KS 67467-2140