Thomas County, KS

History

Organized October 8, 1885. County seat Colby. In honor of Major-General George H. Thomas, United States army, who died in 1870.

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 Colby.

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

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

Cities, Towns, & Villages of Thomas County

                           2000
    Town                Population  ZIP         Year  Elevation
    =================   ==========  =========   ====  =========
    Breton                                              3030
    Brewster                   285  67732               3428
    Brownville                                          3381
    Colby                    5,450  67701       1886    3160
    Gem                         96  67734       1887    3090
    Halford                                             3085
    Levant                          67743               3311
    Menlo                       57  67753       1888    2945
    Mingo                                               3105
    Rexford                    157  67753               2955
    Spica                                               3088

Census Bureau Profile & Map

Special Places in Thomas County

The Thomas County courthouse (1906) is on the National Register of Historic Places. It's an ornate multi-story brick building with a clock tower.
The Prairie Museum of Art and History in Colby has a sod house, a country church, a one-room school, and the Cooper barn, Kansas' biggest barn.

Special Events in Thomas County

The Thomas County Free Fair is held the last week in July.

Libraries

H.F. Davis Library (Colby Community College) (785) 462-3984
1255 South Range, Colby, KS 67701
Pioneer Memorial Library (785) 462-4470
375 E. Fourth Street, Colby, KS 67701

Museums

Prairie Museum of Art & History (785) 462-4590 prairiem@colby.ixks.com
1905 S. Franklin, Colby, KS 67701

Thomas County School Systems

USD 314 Brewster (785) 694-2236 Brewster
USD 315 Colby Public Schools (785) 460-5000 Colby
USD 316 Golden Plains Rexford

Colleges & Universities

Colby Community College, Colby (785) 462-3984
1255 South Range, Colby, KS 67701

Hospitals

Citizen's Medical Center (785) 462-7511
100 E. College, Colby, KS 67701

Newspapers

Colby Free Press (785) 462-3963
155 W. Fifth, Colby, KS 67701

More Data About Thomas County

Economic Development

Kansas County Profile Reports
Statistical data from The Institute for Policy and Social Research, the University of Kansas
Thomas County Economic Development Alliance (785) 462-4511
350 South Range, Colby, KS. 67701

Health Data

KDHE's Thomas County Health Profile

Genealogy

Thomas County KSGenWeb

Web Links

Shepherd's Staff Christian Conference Center

Thomas County Offices

Thomas County (785) 460-4500
300 N. Court Ave., Colby, KS 67701
Thomas County Conservation District (715) 462-7482, Ext. 303
915 E Walnut, Colby, KS 67701
Extension Service (785) 462-4582
350 S. Range, Suite #16, Colby, Kansas 67701-2901

For more about Thomas County contact:

Colby Chamber of Commerce (785) 460-3401
350 S Range Ave / Colby, KS 67701
Colby Convention and Visitors Bureau (785) 460-7643
350 S Range Ave / PO Box 572 / Colby, KS 67701