Extinct Towns in Hodgeman County, Kansas

Hodgeman County Ranch.

Hodgeman County Ranch.

Town Post Office Dates Additional Information
Arthur 1878-1890 The post office originally moved from Lostine. It was only open for seven months.
Fullerton 1889-1913 A post-hamlet, it was located about 15 miles southeast of Jetmore and eight miles south of Grayling, the nearest railroad station.
Grayling 1875-1913
Hallet/Holbrook 1887-1920 The name changed from Holbrook to Hallet on April 20, 1905.
Hodgeman 1916-1924 A village of Marena Township, Hodgeman was located on the Pawnee River, near the county’s northeast corner, about 18 miles from Jetmore. In 1910, it had a money order post office, was a trading center for the neighborhood, and had a population of 52. Burdett was the nearest railroad station.
Hodgeman Centre 1879-1880 The first county seat of Hodgeman County. When the post office closed, it was moved to Jetmore.
Keroma 1885-1887
Kidderville 1879-1914 A country post office in North Roscoe Township, 17 miles northwest of Jetmore. In 1910, it had mail tri-weekly, and the population was 38. There are a number of cattle breeders in the vicinity.
Laurel 1886-1912 A country post office, it was located in Hallet Township, about ten miles west of Jetmore, the nearest shipping point. In 1910, it had mail tri-weekly and a population of 18.
Middle Branch 1878-1888
Milroy 1887-1895
Morton City None African American Exodusters began arriving in Hodgeman County from Kentucky in 1879. Establishing Morton City, they farmed, homesteaded, and raised families. However, life was difficult, and they struggled to survive. The town was eventually abandoned.
Orwell/Fordham 1879-1888 The name changed from Fordham to Orwell on September 14, 1885.
Pawnee Valley 1878-1894
Purdyville 1880-1887
Ratcliff 1885-1887
Retreat 1879 The post office was only open for about five months.
Sawlog 1883-1884 The post office was only open for about five months.
Valley 1898-1905 A hamlet on the Pawnee River, 12 miles north of Jetmore, the nearest shipping point. The population in 1910 was 15.
Wittrup 1885-1913 A country post office in Benton Township, near the headwaters of Buckner Creek, 16 miles southwest of Jetmore. In 1910, there was a tri-weekly stage to Dodge City and a population of 15.
Holdgeman County Map by L.H. Everts & Co., 1887.

Holdgeman County Map by L.H. Everts & Co., 1887.

Compiled and edited by Kathy Alexander/Legends of Kansas, August 2023.

Also See:

Hodgeman County, Kansas

Hodgeman County Photo Gallery

Kansas History

Kansas Places & Destinations

Sources:

Blackmar, Frank W.; Kansas: A Cyclopedia of State History, Vol I; Standard Publishing Company, Chicago, IL 1912.
Cutler, William G; History of Kansas; A. T. Andreas, Chicago, IL, 1883.
Kansas Historical Society