Allen County is a county located in the eastern part of the state of Kansas, in the Great Plains region of the United States. It is bordered by Anderson County to the north, Woodson County to the east, Bourbon County to the south, and Neosho County to the west. The county seat is Iola, which is also home to Allen Community College and Allen County Regional Hospital.
The land that makes up Allen County was first occupied by Native American tribes such as the Osage and Kaw Indians, who lived in this area for thousands of years before European settlement began in 1854. The first settlers were primarily from Germany and Switzerland, with some from other parts of Europe as well. These early settlers established small farming communities throughout Allen County and many still remain today.
The area has a rich history that dates back to its days as part of Indian Territory prior to Kansas becoming a state in 1861. During this time period, it was home to several battles between Union forces and Confederate guerrillas during the Civil War. In 1865, after Kansas became a state, Allen County was officially organized and named for Colonel William A. Allen who had served with distinction during the war.
Today’s Allen County is largely agricultural in nature with much of its land dedicated to raising crops such as wheat, corn and soybeans while local dairies produce milk products for surrounding communities. There are also several agribusinesses located within its borders providing agricultural services such as seed production, custom harvesting and livestock feed production.
The county’s economy is further bolstered by light manufacturing businesses located within its borders that produce items such as automotive parts and plastics for industry use across Kansas and beyond. Retail businesses are also found throughout Allen County with Iola being home to one of Southeast Kansas’ largest shopping centers featuring stores such as Walmart Supercenter, Kohl’s Department Store & Home Depot along with several restaurants within walking distance from each other.
In addition to commerce related activities, there are plenty of recreational opportunities available throughout Allen County including numerous parks & nature preserves like Pawnee State Park along with nearby lakes & rivers like Elmdale Lake which attract visitors from all over who come here for swimming fishing boating & camping activities each year. Other popular attractions include golf courses bowling alleys movie theaters live music venues museums & historic sites all offering something unique for everyone regardless of age or interest level
Overall, Allen County has something special that can be experienced by all who choose to visit or call it their home whether it’s through commerce recreation or simply enjoying its natural beauty this midwestern oasis offers something unique that can be appreciated by everyone who visits here.
History of Allen County, Kansas
Allen County, Kansas is located in the southeastern corner of the state and has a rich history that dates back to before it was even established as an official county. The land has been inhabited by various Native American tribes for centuries, including the Shawnee and Kickapoo. The area was part of what was known as the “Indian Territory” until 1854 when it became part of the newly formed Kansas Territory.
In 1855, Allen County was officially established and named after Colonel William Allen, a former governor of Ohio. At this time, settlers from all over the country began to move into the area, mostly from Ohio and Indiana. These early pioneers were primarily farmers who settled along the Neosho River in order to take advantage of its fertile soil for agriculture.
The economy of Allen County relied heavily on agriculture in its early years, with wheat being one of its main crops. In addition to farming, several other industries developed in Allen County during this time including flour mills and sawmills. By 1860, there were already over 1,000 people living in Allen County and this number continued to grow throughout the next few decades as more settlers moved into the area seeking new opportunities.
Despite being mostly rural and agricultural at first, several towns began to form within Allen County over time such as Humboldt (founded in 1859), Iola (founded in 1864), La Harpe (founded in 1870), Moran (founded in 1873), Savonburg (founded in 1880) and Waverly (founded in 1886). These towns provided essential services for local residents such as schools, churches and businesses that helped spur economic growth within the county.
Throughout most of its history, Allen County remained largely rural with a strong agricultural base that provided employment for many local residents. However, by the mid-20th century there had been some diversification with industries such as manufacturing beginning to take root within its borders. Today, Allen County still remains largely rural but has seen some growth thanks to these newer industries alongside tourism which has become increasingly popular throughout recent years due to attractions such as Riverside Park which offers camping sites alongside fishing opportunities on nearby lakes and rivers.