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Please add profiles of those who were born, lived or died in Smith County, Kansas.
The county was established in 1872 and was named in memory of Maj. J. Nelson Smith, who was part of the 2nd Colorado Cavalry, killed in action at the Battle of Westport on October 21, 1864.
Originally, corn was the main crop grown in the county, but drought and grasshopper plagues severely hurt the crops. When hardy winter wheat was introduced to Kansas by Russian settlers, it eventually became the predominant crop in the county. The population has slowly declined since 1900 due in large part because of advanced farming techniques that require less human labor.
Brewster Higley wrote the song "Home on the Range" in 1873 in a cabin 9 miles northwest of Smith Center. It later became the Kansas State song.
Adjacent Counties
- Jewell County
- Osborne County
- Rooks County
- Phillips County
- Franklin County, Neb.
- Webster County, Neb.
Cities, Communities & Townships
Athol | Banner | Beaver | Bellaire | Blaine | Cedar | Center | Claudell | Cora | Crystal Plains | Dor | Gaylord | German | Harlan | Harvey | Houston | Kensington | Lane | Lebanon | Lincoln | Logan | Martin | Oak | Pawnee | Pleasant | Smith Center | Swan | Valley | Washington | Webster | White Rock
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