Stafford County, Kansas

Stafford County, Kansas is a flat county punctuated with grass-covered sand dunes once labeled the Great American Desert. It is home to the largest inland salt water marsh in the United States--Quivira National Wildlife Refuge. The marsh welcomes hundreds of thousands of bird to the county each year. It's a bird watcher's dream destination. Visitors who come for the outdoors will also find small, unique communities, rural experiences and hidden treasures.

The economic life of the county revolves around cattle, winter wheat and petroleum. The county was organized in 1873 and named in memory of Lewis Stafford, captain of Company E, First Kansas Infantry, who lost his life in Louisiana in 1863. Both the Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe railroad and the Missouri Pacific railroad laid tracks through the county.

The county currently maintains three school districts in USD 349, Stafford, USD 3530 St. John/Hudson, and USD 351 Macksville.

The 77-mile National Wetlands and Wildlife Scenic Byway showcasing QNWR and Cheyenne Bottoms is an attraction drawing bird watchers and other visitors from across the county. The numerous town and community celebrations and events keep Stafford County a lively place to visit or to stay awhile.

A county that was almost eliminated from the state's map, permanent settlement of Stafford County did not begin until 1874.

The boundary lines for Stafford County were set by the state Legislature of 1870, but the county remained largely unorganized for several years. With the intention of obliterating the county from the map, the Legislature of 1874 partitioned the territory between Pawnee, Barton, and Pratt counties. By this division, it was thought the county was wiped out, but it was later discovered that a six-mile wide and 12-ile long strip remained. On April 25, 187 the Supreme Court declared the divisions unconstitutional and the county was restored to its original boundaries.

Do you have some photos that represent what a beautiful county you live in? We are building a photo gallery to show everyone that visits our website what it is like in Stafford County. Please email any images to us by clicking HERE.

Photography courtesty of Jerry Seagraves. THANKS Jerry!