Howard, Kansas
	Founded: 1870 Population: 815 Elevation:  1040 feet Latitude: 37°28' 13" N Longitude: 96° 15' 48" W ZIP code:  67349 Area Code: 620

Howard is the county seat of Elk [EK] County and is located near its center. The Elk river forms the southern boundary of Howard and Highway K-99 runs along the east side of town; Jerry Hubbell's amusing sculptures created from "junk" are displayed beside it. Between the highway and downtown there are many fine old homes in good shape and the Elk County courthouse, which was completed in 1908.

Downtown Howard has its old "Howard National Bank" building. Built in 1887, it is a beautiful but neglected example of the optimism of early Kansas citizens. The hardware store is a classic; I always go in and browse when I'm in town. The drugstore still has a soda fountain.

There is also a restored old one-room schoolhouse once located at Union Center in rural Elk county. The Benson Museum provides a look back into Elk County history.

History

Howard was named for General Oliver Otis Howard (1830-1909). The town became county seat of the new Elk county when Howard county was split into two counties, Elk and Chautauqua, on March 25, 1875.
 
The Special Collections of the Ablah Library at WSU contain historical images of Howard.

Special Events

• Elk River Festival is held the last Saturday in September; crafts, contests.
  
• Elk County Fair is in July.

Places to visit, things to do in Howard

• Hubbell's Rubble on Highway 99 is sculpture from "rubble".
• Howard City Lake, east of town, has beautiful stonework.
  City fishing permit required
• The city pool is located in a nice park a few blocks south of downtown.

Newspapers

• Prairie Star (620) 725-3176
  P.O. Box 417 / Sedan, KS 67361
  Email: taylornews@taylornews.org

Museums

Benson Museum: Open by appointment / (620) 374-2142
Consists of several buildings including:

• Country Schoolhouse & Teacher's Quarters * Authentic old school
  
• Gragg Agricultural Bldg. * Farm implements
• Bertha's Dolls* Extensive doll colletion

Library

Howard City Library / 126 S. Wabash / (620) 374-2890
Open 2:00 - 5:00 on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

Places to eat in Howard

• Toot's Drive-In
  Highway 99
  (620) 374-2345
   
  
• Poplar Pizza / 202 S. Wabash / (620) 374-2525 or (800) 374-1909 from Buffalo, N. Y.
   
  
• Sweet&Spicy Mexican and American Food / 120 S. Wabash / (620) 374-3004

Places to shop in Howard

• Batson's Drug Store / 102 N. Wabash / (620) 374-2265
• Cookson's Hardware Store / 114 N. Wabash / (620) 374-2340
• Elk County General Store / 132 S. Wabash / (620) 374-2683
• Family Market / 102 N. Wabash / (620) 374-2270
• Joanna’s Designs and Eclectic Detritus / 1229 KS Highway 99 / (620) 374-2567
• Lanning Auto Supply / (620) 374-2235
• P&J Quick Mart / Highway 99 / (620) 374-2349 / Convenience store
• Red Barn Soap Company / 144 E. Randolph / (620) 374-2500
• Traci's Trends / 124 N. Wabash / (620) 374-5040

Banks

• First National Bank / Wabash and Randolph / (620) 374-2172
• Howard State Bank / 100 S. Wabash / (620) 374-2127

Realtors

• Faith Realty   620^_374^_2400
  1230 State Hwy 99, Howard, KS 67349
  Residental, Commercial and Farm
  Judy Nungesser, Realtor, E-mail: jnung@sktc.net Route # 1, Howard, KS 67349
• Jones Realty   620^_374^_5029
  201 E. Randolph, Howard, KS 67349
• Longhorn Reality   620^_374^_2012
  Residental and Farm
  Jerry Hubbell, Salesperson
• Sundgren Realty   620^_330^_2438
  1681 Native, Howard, KS 67349
  Liz Hendricks: lperkins@terraworld.net
  Specializing in rural and recreational properties

Schools

• USD 282 West Elk Schools: Howard, Moline, Elk Falls (620) 374-2113
  

  West Elk High School   S. Highway 99, Howard / (620) 374-2147

Health Care

• Elk County Rural Health Clinic   (620) 374-2164
  118 South Walbash, Howard, KS 67349
• Twilight Manor / (620) 374-2495 / Rest home, about 50 beds

Utilities

• Cable TV - Southern Kansas Telephone
• Electricity - Weststar Energy   800-794-6101 or 800-794-4780
• Internet Service - Southern Kansas Telephone
• Telephone - Southwestern Bell
• Water, gas, sewer, and residential trash - City of Howard: (620) 374-2202

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