Republic County, KS

History

Organized in 1868. County seat Belleville. Received its name from the Republican river, which extends through the county. The river was so called because many years ago the valley of that stream was the seat of the "Pawnee Republic," a designation given to a principal division of the Pawnee Indians, or Panis, as they were originally known.

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

Many of the early settlers in Republic County were from Scandinavia or Czechoslovakia. Cuba was named for Kuba, a city in Bohemia. Scandia was settled by Swedes, and Norway by Norwegians.

The modernistic courthouse was completed in 1940.

The Special Collections of the Ablah Library at WSU contain historical images of Republic, Wayne, Scandia, Belleville, and Courtland.

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

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

Cities, Towns, & Villages of Republic County

                      2000 
     Town          Population  ZIP         Year Elevation
     ============= ==========  =====       ==== =========  
     Agenda                81  66930       1878   1410
     Belleville         2,239  66935       1869   1550
     Courtland            334  66939              1499
     Cuba                 231  66940       1878   1590
     Harbine                                      1680
     Haworth                                      1458
     Kackley                                      1509
     Munden               122  66959       1878   1630
     Narka                 93  66960       1887   1585
     Norway                    66961              1410
     Republic             161  66964              1500
     Rydal                                        1565
     Scandia              436  66966       1868   1450
     Sherdahl                                     1470
     Tabor                                        1605
     Talmo                                        1370
     Warwick                                      1528
     Wayne                                        1400
     White Rock                                   1522

Census Bureau Profile & Map

Special Places in Republic County

There's a Kansas Information Center on US 81 at Belleville.
The Belleville High Banks race track has a stone grandstand.
The Pawnee Indian Village Museum State Historic Site is eight miles north of US 36 on K-266.
The Depot Market is in an old train depot north of Courtland on US 36.
Paul Boyer at the Boyer Gallery in Belleville has been "creating animated carvings, motion displays and mechanical marvels" for over 25 years.

Special Events in Republic County

The Belleville Midget Nationals car races are held every August at the Belleville High Banks dirt track.

Libraries

Belleville Public Library (785) 527-5305
1327 19th Street, Belleville, KS 66935
Courtland City Library
Courtland, KS 66939
Rae Hobson Memorial Library
Republic, KS 66964
Scandia City Library (785) 335-2271
Scandia, KS 66966

Museums

High Banks Hall of Fame 785-527-2310
Belleville, KS 66935
Republic County Historical Museum (785) 527-5971
615 28th Street, KS 66935
Has a restored church and school; railroad memorabilia and hand tool collection
Scandia Museum (785) 335-2271

Republic County School Systems

USD 426 Pike Valley (785) 335-2206 Scandia
USD 427 Belleville (785) 527-5621 Belleville
USD 455 Hillcrest Schools (785) 729-3816 Cuba

Hospitals

Republic County Hospital (785) 527-2254
2420 G St., Belleville, KS 66935-2400

Newspapers

Belleville Telescope (785) 527-2244
1817 E. US 81, Belleville, KS 66935
Courtland Journal-Empire (785) 374-4428
Scandia Journal (785) 335-2242
Scandia, KS 66966

More Data About Republic 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 Republic County Health Profile

Genealogy

Republic County KSGenWeb

Republic County Offices

Republic County (785) 527-5691
Republic County Court House / Belleville, KS 66935
Extension Service (785) 527-5084
1815 M Street / Belleville, KS 66935

For more about Republic County contact:

Belleville Chamber of Commerce (785) 527-2310
1819 L St., Belleville, KS 66935
Republic County Economic Development