Milton, Kansas Main Street by Kathy Alexander.
Milton, Kansas, is an incorporated community of Eden Township in the northwest corner of Sumner County. As of the 2020 census, the population of the community and nearby areas was 155. Milton is a census-designated place that provides statistical information for settled concentrations of populations. Its population reflects the area rather than the town itself, which is tiny and appears to be a ghost town, even though it still has a post office.
Baptist Church in Milton, Kansas, by Kathy Alexander.
This community was founded in 1878 and was initially called Levy. A post office was established on December 6, 1878. Comprised of farmers, it had a Presbyterian society, a public school, a general store, a blacksmith, and a population of 40 in 1880. It was on the daily mail stage route from Wichita to Anthony, with a fare of $2.00 to either town.
The Baptist Church was established in 1880.
On October 15, 1887, the town’s name was changed to Milton. It was named for J. Milton Broomfield, a merchant.
Old bank building in Milton, Kansas by Kathy Alexander.
In 1910, Milton was on the Missouri Pacific and the Kansas City, Mexico & Orient Railroads. At that time, it had two sets of telegraph and express offices, a money order post office with one rural route, several retail stores, a bank, and a population of 150.
Students attended the Handy School.
In September 1916, Conway Springs, Milton, and Norwich wanted Nathan Jones, the Western Sumner Light and Power Company superintendent, to provide electricity to their towns. Jones soon obtained a franchise from these towns and organized a new company, The Tri-County Light and Power Company. By May 1917, the lines were completed, and electricity was turned on to the residents’ delight.
Milton Crescent, May 31, 1917.
In 1917, the town briefly had a two-page newspaper called the Milton Crescent. This local newsy tabloid offered various tidbits of who was out of town, who was visiting the city, high school notes, town gossip, health notes, and a few national headlines. Advertisers included store owner T.W. Estes, W.H. Deck, blacksmith and machinist, the Milton Hotel, the Badger Lumber Company, Taylor John W. Wise, and more.
Milton, Kansas Post Office by Kathy Alexander.
Today, the Kansas & Oklahoma Railroad passes through the community from Conway Springs to Norwich. Another railroad previously passed through the community from Viola to Harper. Its post office remains open today, and the Milton Baptist Church remains active. The Milton Methodist Church is about two miles north of the townsite.
This tiny town is served by Kingman–Norwich USD 331 public school district.
Milton is located 4.5 miles southeast of Norwich at N Argonia Rd and W 120th Ave N, beside the railroad. It is about 33 miles northwest of Wellington, the county seat.
©Kathy Alexander/Legends of Kansas, updated July 2024.
Barns in Milton, Kansas, by Kathy Alexander.
Also See:
Sources:
Blackmar, Frank W.; Kansas: A Cyclopedia of State History, Vol I; Standard Publishing Company, Chicago, IL 1912.
Family Nibbles
Wikipedia