History

Organized in 1872. County Seat, Russell. In memory of Avrah P. Russell, Captain, Company K, Second Kansas Cavalry, who died December 12, 1862 in field hospital near Prairie Grove, Ark., of wounds received in battle December 7, 1862 at Prairie Grove.   Map and text from History of Kansas, Noble Prentis, (Winfield: E.P. Greer. 1899)

 

William G. Cutler's History of Kansas, first published in 1883, tells about early Russell County.
 
The Special Collections of the Ablah Library at WSU contain historical images of Bunker Hill, Dorrance, Dubuque, Gorham, Lucas, Luray, and Russell.
 
The Kansas State Historical Society also has more historical data for Russell County online including a rich bibliography and lists of cemeteries, post offices, and newspapers.

Cities, Towns, & Villages of Russell County

                 2000
  Year  Elev  Population Name              ZIP
  ====  ====  ========== ================ =====
        1875             Balta
        1860         101 Bunker Hill      67626
        1730         205 Dorrance         67634
  1876  1690             Fairport
        1914         360 Gorham           67540
        1868             Homer
  1877  1500         436 Lucas            67648
        1570         203 Luray            67649
        1859             Milberger
  1889  1695          64 Paradise         67658
  1871  1826       4,696 Russell          67665
  1888  1711          48 Waldo            67673

Special Places in Russell County

• The "Garden of Eden" in Lucas offers a unique view of the universe through the statues and Buildings created by S.P. Dinsmoor.
• The stone Saint Mary's Church in Gorham was dedicated in 1898.
• The log cabin in the roadside park in Luray was the first house in Russell County.
• Paradise has a "Post Rock" limestone water tower, built in 1937, that holds 50,000 gallons.
• Lake Wilson offers over 9,000 acres of water and 100 miles of shoreline for outdoor recreation lovers.
• The newly designated Post Rock Scenic Byway provides travelers with a panoramic view of North Central Kansas.

• The Russell County Free Fair is held every summer at the Russell County 4-H Fairgrounds in Russell.
• Russell Main Street sponsors Christmas Fest which includes a lighted parade.

Russell County School Systems

• USD 399 Paradise   (785) 885-4749 Natoma
• USD 407 Russell County   (785) 483-2173 Russell

Hospitals

• Russell Regional Hospital   (785) 483-3131
  200 S Main St. / Russell, KS 67665-2997

Libraries

• Lucas Public Library   (785) 525-6305
  209 S. Main / PO Box 278 / Lucas, KS 67648-0224
• Luray Public Library   (785) 698-2508
  119 N. Main / P.O. Box 292, Luray, Kansas 67649
• Russell Public Library   (785) 483-2742
  126 E. Sixth / Russell, KS 67665

Museums

• Deines Cultural Center   785-483-3742
  820 North Main, Russell, KS 67655
  Monthly shows of regional artists; rotating exhibit of the wood engravings of E. Hubert Deines
• Dorrance Historical Society Museum   785-666-4415
  531 Main Street, Dorrance, KS 67634
  Located in the "Reiff building" - Open by appointment
• Fossil Station Museum   (785) 483-3637
  331 Kansas St / Russell, KS 67655
  In old Russell county jail
• Garden of Eden   (785) 525-6395
  2nd & Kansas / Lucas, KS 67648
• Grassroots Art Center   785-525-6118  
  213 S. Main Street / Lucas, Kansas
• Oil Patch Museum   (785) 483-6640
  I-70 & US 281 / Russell, KS 67665
  Covers history of the oil industry in Kansas

Newspapers

• Lucas-Sylvan News  
• Russell Daily News   (785) 483-2116
  802 N. Maple / Russell, KS 67665
• Russell Record   (785) 483-2111
  802 N. Maple / Russell, KS 67665

More Data About Russell County

Genealogy

• Russell County KSGenWeb   genealogy site

Russell County Offices

• Russell County   (785) 483-4641
  P. O. Box 113 / Russell, KS 67665
• Extension Service   (785) 483-3157
  401 N. Main, Courthouse / Russell, KS 67665-2793

More Information About Russell County

• Russell County Economic Development   785/483-6960
  610 Main, Russell, KS 67665
• City of Russell   785/483-6311
  133 West 8th, Russell, KS 67665
• Russell Chamber of Commerce   785/483-6960
  610 Main, Russell, KS 67665
• Lucas Area Chamber of Commerce   785 525-6288
  201 S. Main St, Lucas, KS 67648