Montgomery County, Kansas by L.H. Everts & Co, 1887.
Parker, Kansas, is an extinct town in Montgomery County, Kansas, established in the fall of 1869 by H.N. Martin and Colonel D.T. Parker, after whom it was named.
Located on the east side of the Verdigris River, the founders thought the railroad would run down the east side of the river, and the site would become the terminal point. This idea became so popular that several people moved to the community. The first building erected was an office occupied by D.T. Parker and F.B. York. A post office was established on November 24, 1869. In little more than a year, it had become a city with over 1,000 people and about 50 thriving businesses.
In 1870, the first school district in the county was organized in Parker. In 1871, Parker was incorporated as a city, and W. Barricklow was elected Mayor; A. D. Keifer, City Clerk; S. S. Peterson, Marshal; George Hall, T.C. Frazier, Dr. Dunwell, F.B. York, and John Todd, Councilmen.
However, the early settlers misjudged the plans of the Kansas City, Lawrence, and Southern Kansas Railroad Company, and Coffeyville was established a few miles north, on the opposite side of the river, which became the railroad’s terminus. Coffeyville soon became the metropolis of southeastern Montgomery County. In the face of these overwhelming circumstances, Parker fought bravely for a few months to survive against her rival, but soon, many of the businesses moved to Coffeyville.
The post office closed on December 27, 1876. However, it reopened on July 9, 1879.
By the early 1880s, only a few dwellings were left. However, a brick school building was soon built, and William Padon established a mercantile house in the spring of 1882. The post office closed again on March 23, 1882.
The post office reopened on April 2, 1883. It closed its doors for the final time on January 20, 1888.
Parker is located just a few miles north of Coffeyville.
©Kathy Alexander/Legends of Kansas, updated April 2025.
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