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IN THIS SECTION:

Morris County population: 6,104

Communities with a population over 500:

Council Grove: County Seat
Population: 2,300
Commute to Fort Riley:

White City
Population: 518
Commute to Fort Riley:

 
 

Morris County

Morris County originally was organized as Wise County in 1855 and was named for Henry A. Wise, Governor of Virginia during the John Brown seizure of Harper's Ferry.  The county’s name was changed to Morris in February 1859 in honor of Thomas Morris, a United States Senator from Ohio who distinguished himself as an opponent of slavery.

  map of Morris County

Nestled in the scenic Flint Hills prairie in east-central Kansas, Morris County's beckoning back country looks much like it did a century ago. Back then Kaw Indians made this beautiful prairie their home, and wagon trains rolled through, west bound on the Santa Fe Trail. Remnants of the ruts remain and romantic relics of the trail years still stand sturdy today in Council Grove, the county seat of Morris County.

A tour of Council Grove takes you to over a dozen registered historic sites, including the Hays House, the oldest continuously operated restaurant west of the Mississippi River. Two lakes practically lap the city limits. The 3,000-acre federal reservoir and 500-acre city lake are perfect for camping, boating and fishing or picnicking on the prairie. If you do decide to circle your wagons in Morris County for a longer stay, the schools, shops, lake areas, industry and just fun celebrations might just convince you to make Council Grove the end of your trail.

County/City Contact Information

  • City of Council Grove
    313 W. Main
    Council Grove, Kansas 66846
    Phone: (620) 767-5417

  • Council Grove Chamber of Commerce
    212 W. Main
    Council Grove, Kansas 66846
    Phone: (620) 767-5413

Libraries

  • Council Grove Public Library
    303 W Main Street
    Council Grove, KS 66846
    (620) 767-5716

  • Dwight Library
    P.O. Box 278
    Dwight, KS 66849
    (785) 482-3804

  • Elm Creek Township Library
    213 Fifth Street
    Wilsey, KS 66873
    (785) 497-2289

  • White City Public Library
    104 N. First
    P. O. Box 206
    White City, KS 66872-0206
    (785) 349-5551

Museums

Morris County School Systems

  • USD 417 - Morris County
    Council Grove, KS
    (620) 767-5192

  • USD 481 - Rural Vista
    Hope & White City, KS
    (785) 366-7215

Hospitals

Newspapers

  • Council Grove Republican
    208 W Main
    Council Grove, KS 66486
    (620) 767-5123

  • The Prairie Post  
    108 E. Mackenzie
    White City, KS 66872
    785-349-5516
    (800) 593-5516

Morris County Offices

 

 

Kansas Department of Commerce

© Kansas Department of Commerce. All rights reserved. Contact information