History of Wamego, Kansas
1866
The Kansas Pacific Railroad began building its mainline westward in 1863. Building upon this opportunity, the town of Wamego was founded in the spring of 1866. Over the course of three days, the founders surveyed and laid out the main features of the original town site, including the main street, which is now known as Lincoln Avenue. The name of the city and county of which Wamego is located was derived from the American Indian Pottawatomie Tribe who occupied the area just to the east of Wamego in the 1840s.
1869
Within three short years of the township being founded, the railroad decided to locate its division in Wamego. This gave opportunity for hotels and several boarding houses to get in on the boom, as they primarily were filled with railroad workers. Train expansion and development exploded across the plains and helped Wamego grow quickly. As the main source of transportation to and from Wamego, trains moved settlers and their belongings, carried supplies and helped bring in more opportunity for settlers, including construction jobs as well as new business ventures.
1872
The Kansas River, located south of Wamego, served as the main highway and water source for years. While a ferry often helped with transportation across the river, there were limitations on consistently and safely moving livestock and goods. The ferry ran until 1872, when the construction of a 900 ft iron bridge merged Wamego with new transportation opportunities from the south.
Timeline
For more information
Contact the Wamego Historical Society at (785) 456-2040
