Miami County, Kansas
170 Years of
Kansas History
Independent editorial coverage of the people, places, and events that shaped Miami County — from Bleeding Kansas to the present day.
Core Topics
Miami County History
Miami County in the Civil War
From Bleeding Kansas to the final surrender — how the county became a crucible of the nation's defining conflict.
The Peoria and the Potawatomi
The Osage, Miami, Peoria, and Potawatomi peoples whose lives, trails, and land grants shaped what is now Miami County.
History of Paola, Kansas
Founded in 1855 and named for a Peoria chief — the county seat's 170-year story of growth, tragedy, and renewal.
Osawatomie State Hospital
Kansas's first psychiatric institution, opened in 1866, and its long, troubled, and transformative history in the county.
About This Publication
An Independent Record of Miami County
Think Miami County History is an independent editorial publication dedicated to researching and preserving the documented history of Miami County, Kansas. Articles draw on primary sources, historical records, and local archives spanning more than 170 years.
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Miami County Townships and Early Settlement Patterns
Miami County's seventeen townships, organized under the 1855 Public Land Survey, shaped farm settlement and local governance across eastern Kansas.
Miami County Cemeteries: A Guide to Family History Research
Miami County historic cemeteries document generations of settlement — pioneer graves, Civil War veterans sections, and resources for genealogical research.
Rural Schools and Schoolhouses of Miami County, Kansas
The history of rural schoolhouses in Miami County, Kansas — from township school districts and one-room classrooms to consolidation in the 20th century.
Ethel Wise: Documenting Miami County History in Kansas
Ethel Wise was a local historian who documented Miami County, Kansas history during the early-to-mid 20th century, preserving records of the Civil War era.
Bullet-Hole Jackson: Frontier Legend of Miami County, Kansas
Bullet-Hole Jackson was a colorful figure in Miami County, Kansas local history, preserved in county records and newspaper archives.
Osawatomie, Kansas: History of Miami County's Second City
The history of Osawatomie, Miami County's second city — known for the 1856 Battle of Osawatomie, the state psychiatric hospital, and its historic downtown.