Rush County, KS

Organized in 1874. County seat LaCrosse. In memory of Alexander Rush, Captain of Company H, Second Colored Infantry, killed April 3, 1864 at Jenkins Ferry, Ark.

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

The Special Collections of the Ablah Library at WSU contain historical images of Bison, La Crosse, McCracken, and Nekoma,

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

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

Cities, Towns, & Villages of Rush County

                           2000
    Town                Population  ZIP         Year  Elevation
    =================   ==========  =========   ====  =========
    Alexander                   75  67513               2065
    Bison                      235  67520       1888    2011
    Hargrave                                            2175
    La Crosse                1,376  67548       1876    2060
    Liebenthal                 111  67553       1876    1976
    Loretta                                             2001
    McCracken                  211  67556               2141
    Nekoma                          67559               2036
    Otis                       325  67565               2035
    Rush Center                176  67575               1995
    Schaffer                                            1949
    Timken                      83  67582               1963

Census Bureau Profile & Map

Special Places in Rush County

St. Mary's Church (1924) in McCracken is a beautiful ornate dark brick building with stone arches and trim. Located on Ash Street at the north edge of town, it's one of the first features that you can see as you approach the town from the north.
Saint Joseph's Church in Liebenthal, built of "post rock", was dedicated in 1905. The old parochial school and rectory are also built of limestone.
St. Mary' s Church in Loretta was built in 1927. Father Stutz, who originated from Switzerland, was the parish's first priest. Because of this Swiss background, he recommended the church be a replica of one you might see in Switzerland. Numerous religious vocations have originated from this parish. The church was an active parish until 1987 when it then became a Shrine. Visitors are always welcome.

St. Joseph's Church, Liebenthal, KS

Special Events in Rush County

The highly-rated McCracken Rodeo is held in early July. Local high school reunions are scheduled in conjunction with the rodeo.
The Rush County Fair is held in La Crosse in August.
Rush Center celebrates St. Patricks Day with a parade, a dance, lunches, dinners, and other special events.
Every May, La Crosse hosts the Barbed Wire Swap Meet. The headquarters of the Kansas Barbed Wire Collectors Association is at the Barbed Wire Museum.

Rush County School Systems

USD 395 La Crosse "Leopards" (785) 222-2505 La Crosse, McCracken
USD 403 Otis-Bison "Cougars" (620) 923-4661 Albert

Hospitals

Rush County Memorial Hospital (785) 222-2545
8th & Locust / La Crosse, KS 67548

Libraries

Bison Community Library (785) 356-4803
202 Main / P. O. Box 406 / Bison, KS 67520
Barnard Library (785) 222-2826
521 Elm Street / La Crosse, KS 67548
McCracken Public Library (785) 394-2444
303 Main / P. O. Box 125 / McCracken, KS 67556
Otis Community Library (785) 387-2403
122 S. Main / Box 7 / Otis, KS 67565

Museums

Barbed Wire Museum (785) 222-9900 More than 500 varieties
120 West First Street / La Crosse, Kansas 67548
The Post Rock Museum
202 West First Street / P.O. Box 473 / La Crosse, KS 67548
Rush County Historical Museum (785) 222-2719 In old depot
202 West First Street / P.O. Box 473 / La Crosse, KS 67548
McCracken Historical Museum 785-394-2540 or 785-394-2446
P. O. Box 342, McCracken, KS 67556-0342
In old rock jail - open by appointment
Nekoma Bank Museum (785) 222-2719
202 West First Street / La Crosse, KS 67548

Newspapers

Rush County News (785) 222-2555
112 W. 8th / La Crosse, KS 67548

More Data About Rush County

Economic Development

Kansas County Profile Reports
Statistical data from The Institute for Policy and Social Research, the University of Kansas

Health Data

KDHE's Rush County Health Profile

Genealogy

Rush County KSGenWeb

Rush County Offices

Rush County (785) 222-2726
P. O. Box 220 / La Crosse, KS 67548
Extension Service (785) 222-2710
702 Main Street, PO Box 70 / LaCrosse, KS 67548

For more about Rush County contact:

La Crosse Chamber of Commerce (785) 222-2639
905 Main / La Crosse, KS 67548
Rush County Economic Development (785) 222-2808
715 Elm / La Crosse, KS 67548