Main Street in Detroit, Kansas, early 1900s.
Detroit, Kansas, in Dickinson County, is a census-designated place with a population of 102 in 2020. However, it is also an extinct town, as it no longer has a post office.
An old stone building in Detroit, Kansas by Kathy Alexander.
Located in Center Township, the community started in 1857 when William Lamb and his family built an 18-foot by 22-foot log cabin. A year later, they constructed a stone house. At about the same time, William Lamb was appointed one of the first county commissioners in 1858, and the first commission meeting was held in his home. Before long, other people came to the area, and a small village emerged that the residents called Lamb’s Point.
A post office called Detroit, named after Detroit, Michigan, was established on April 6, 1866. That year, the Union Pacific Railroad began building its line through Chapman, Detroit, Abilene, and Solomon City. Soon, a depot was being built east of the Lamb’s home. Detroit was once strongly considered the county seat because Abilene was “too wild” to serve as a center of government. However, Abilene became the county seat.
Primarily an agricultural town, Detroit grew slowly.
In 1898, a newspaper called the Detroit Free Press attempted to build circulation. However, no records were found beyond the first year, so it obviously failed.
An old silo in Detroit, Kansas, by Kathy Alexander.
In 1907, a two-room school was established.
In 1910, the village was still a station on the Union Pacific the Union Pacific Railroad. At that time, it had a money order post office with two rural routes, a graded public school, telegraph and express offices, telephone connections, general stores, and a population of 142. At its peak, it also had a railroad depot, a church, stockyards, a car lot, and a grain elevator.
In 1914, a third room was added on the west side of the school.
In the next years, Detroit gradually declined.
Old Detroit School, courtesy Google Maps.
Its post office closed on June 23, 1961, probably due to its close proximity to Abilene, just six miles to the southwest, and Enterprise, just two miles south.
However, the small town still boasted a school until it closed after the 1966-1967 term. Afterward, it served as the Detroit Community Center from 1968 to 1988, when a private party bought it. It is located at 2331 W. Detroit Street.
This tiny town still has named roads and numerous homes.
Detroit is located halfway between Abilene and Chapman, two miles north of Enterprise.
The community is served by the Chapman USD 473 public school district.
©Kathy Alexander/Legends of Kansas, August 2024.
The old Midway Bar & Grill in Detroit, Kansas. was one of the last businesses to close. Photo by Kathy Alexander.
Also See:
Dickinson County Photo Gallery
Extinct Towns of Dickinson County
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