Russell, Kansas, is located in Russell County. Its history can be traced back some 70 million years. The abundant fossil record here shows this area to have been part of a large sea that went from the present-day Gulf of Mexico to the Arctic Ocean. In this sea, a variety of mollusks, fishes, and reptiles lived nearly 65 million years until the Rocky Mountains were formed. As the mountains rose, the sea slowly disappeared. The formation of the Rocky Mountains gave Russell County its elevation of 1,835 feet above sea level.

Example of Fossils Found in Russell County
Photo from University of Kansas Research Collection

Native Americans

The human record in Russell County is not as clear as the fossil record, although Native Americans left behind many artifacts and petroglyphs (writings). Several tribes, including the Cheyenne and Comanche, inhabited Russell County, although there were no permanent villages here. Generally the Native Americans traveled the Smoky Hill and Saline Rivers following the herds of buffalo. The Smoky Hill herd is believed to have been the largest buffalo herd in North America at that time, and by many accounts, the herd was so large it went from one horizon to the other.

Early Exploration

Francisco Vasquez Coronado was the earliest white man to explore Russell County in 1541. Many followed in Coronado's footsteps, including Etienne Veniard de Bourgmont, a French explorer who traveled along the Smoky Hill River in 1724, and the famous Zebulon Pike, whose mapping expedition in 1806 resulted in the discovery of Pikes Peak.

The Forts

During the middle of the 19th Century, forts were established along the Kansas River and its tributaries, the Smoky Hill and Saline Rivers. To the east of Russell was Fort Ellsworth (later changed to Fort Harker) in Kanopolis, Kansas. To the west was Fort Fletcher (old Fort Hays). These forts were constructed to protect those settlers and miners deciding to move west, as well as protect the proposed stage and rail lines from the Missouri River to the west.

The Stage & Railroads Bring Settlers

In April 1871, a colony of about 60 families from Ripon, Wisconsin, took up residence at Fossil Station, a water stop on the Union Pacific Railroad. About this time, the name of the community was changed to Russell, after Avra P. Russell. He was recognized for raising a company for the Second Kansas Infantry, was elected First Lieutenant, commissioned by Governor Robinson, and rose to Captain under President Lincoln.

Buildings were constructed from lumber hauled in from Missouri, because of a notable lack of trees on the Prairie.

Early farmers also quarried rock from the numerous rocky outcrops of Greenhorn limestone formations in Russell County. They used the stone as fence posts and in constructing their houses and buildings. The stone, when freshly quarried, is soft enough to be sawed, drilled, or shaped with hand tools. After prolonged exposure to the elements, it hardens and becomes weather resistant. The miles of stone fenceposts in this area have become a trademark of the Smoky Hills region of northcentral Kansas.

A True American "Melting Pot"

Early settlers of the county included many Easterners, as well as immigrants from Bohemia, Volga Russia, Germany, England, Ireland, and Wales. These settlers were later joined by many from Oklahoma and Texas who came to work in the oil boom of the 1920s and 1930s - many of whom stayed to call Russell County home. Russell honors its true American "melting pot" of cultural backgrounds.

Famous Russell Natives

Russell is the home of two United States Senators -- Robert Dole and Arlen Specter.

Sights of Russell

Photo courtesy of Russell Chamber of Commerce

FOSSIL STATION - The museum was formerly the county jail. The building was constructed in 1907 from Greenhorn limestone or "post rock." The museum contains a visual history of Russell County, and a fine collection of unusual fossils found in the area. It also contains a genealogical library. One of our members had a special exhibit of her Teddy Bear collection at the museum for its 100th Anniversary in the summer of 2002.

Photo courtesy of Russell Chamber of Commerce

GERNON HOUSE -- The oldest "post rock" stone house in Russell, the house was built in 1872 by Nicholas Gernon, a blacksmith and one of the original settlers. This lovely home has been fully restored to the period of the 1890s. It is operated by the Russell County Historical Society.

Photo courtesy of Russell Chamber of Commerce

OIL PATCH MUSEUM - This is a place to learn about oil and the drilling of "Black Gold." The museum building tells the story of the Lucky Seven and drilling of the Carrie Oswald #1, the first discovery well drilled in Russell County in 1923. On the grounds are an actual oil storage tank and exhibits of geology, drilling and production, transportation, and many industry tools and machines.

Some Russell Events

Prairiesta This is such an ambitious event that it happens only every 10 years! The last Prairiesta was held in 2001. Mark your calendars now!

Freedom Fireworks on the Fourth of July is one of the best displays in the state of Kansas. Members of our chapter work on the organizing committee for this event.

Two events on Russell's Calendar are the Christmas Parade, held in late November/early December; and the annual Christmas Fest (Weihnachtsfest), which occurs the second Thursday of December.

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