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Cherokee County, Kansas

60 topographic sheets cover 45 settlements here, and 15 properties are on the National Register of Historic Places.

Research this county

From the record

15 National Register listings published here.

Sources: the National Register database, National Park Service

Kansas within the United States
Cherokee County within Kansas

What the record shows

  • 876 topographic sheet readings cover the county's settlements.
  • 15 properties here are on the National Register of Historic Places: 8 buildings, 5 districts, 1 object and 1 site.
  • 1 of the 15 listings was added during the 1970s.
  • The Geographic Names Information System records 45 populated places in this county; 45 are covered by at least one topographic sheet.

Places on the National Register

15

Every property in this county listed on the National Register of Historic Places, with the year it was listed and the federal nomination document.

Photograph PropertyType ListedReference
Baxter Springs High Schoolbuilding201414000479
Baxter Springs Independent Oil and Gas Service Stationbuilding200303000841
Big Brutusobject2018100001945
Brush Creek Bridgesite198383000419
Columbus Public Carnegie Librarybuilding198787000932
Johnston Librarybuilding197676000817
Kansas Route 66 Historic District-East Galenadistrict200303000842
Kansas Route 66 Historic District-North Baxter Springsdistrict2017100000495
Kansas Route 66 Historic District-North Baxter Springsdistrict2017100000495
Kansas Route 66 Historic District-North Baxter Springsdistrict201515000141
Kansas Route 66 Historic District-North Baxter Springsdistrict201515000141
Rial A. Niles Housebuilding200606000772
Edgar Backus Schermerhorn Housebuilding198989001146
Soffietti-Boccia Grocery Storebuilding2017100000793
Williams' Storebuilding200303000843

Wildfire, 1999 to 2020

351 fires

Every wildfire the federal occurrence database records inside this county: 351 of them, burning about 2,324 acres. 2 started naturally and 26 were recorded as arson. Each settlement page carries the fires within five miles of it.

Reported cause Fires
Missing data/not specified/undetermined166
Debris and open burning127
Arson/incendiarism26
Equipment and vehicle use12
Smoking11
Power generation/transmission/distribution3
Fireworks2
Recreation and ceremony2
Natural2

The five largest, by the area the report gives. Two of them were set deliberately.

DateCause SizeReported by Name on the report
12 January 2014Missing data/not specified/undetermined600 acresCherokee CountyEMPIRE
18 July 2017Missing data/not specified/undetermined200 acresCherokee County170036
15 February 2016Debris and open burning160 acresKansas Forest Service1600008
12 March 2015Debris and open burning80 acresKansas Forest Service64
13 March 2008Arson/incendiarism65 acresMiami AgencyRALPH
28 February 2017Missing data/not specified/undetermined60 acresCherokee County1700012
25 March 2018Arson/incendiarism50 acresOklahoma Division of Forestrynot named
18 October 2015Missing data/not specified/undetermined50 acresKansas Forest Service1500019

Every settlement page carries the fires within five miles of it - see the settlement index below.

Storms, 1953 to 2026

60 of 745 shown

The NOAA Storm Events Database holds 745 reports for this county, causing 4 deaths, 61 injuries and about $37,274,230 in recorded property damage. Each settlement page carries the reports that name it.

Kind of event Reports
Thunderstorm Wind266
Hail256
Flash Flood131
Tornado46
Flood25
Heavy Rain13
Funnel Cloud8

The most serious of them, by death, then injury, then recorded damage. The accounts are quoted exactly as the forecast office filed them.

WhenEvent Place namedHarm What the report says
May 2003Tornado (F3)Melrose3 killed, 19 hurt, $2,700,000no account filed
March 1982Tornado (F3)not stated1 killed, 6 hurt, $2,500,000no account filed
April 2014Tornado (EF2)Baxter Spgs25 hurt, $10,000,000A survey team determined an EF2 tornado struck the town of Baxter Springs, Kansas. The tornado started near Quapaw, Oklahoma and crossed the state line into Kansas then moved through the town of Baxter Springs producing a 150 yard wide swath of damage from southwest to northeast through the center of town. Emergency management reported approximately 90 homes and 11 business were destroyed and an additional seven businesses and 85 homes suffered damage. Approximately 25 injuries were reported but no fatalities. Maximum wind speeds were estimated to be between 120 and 130 mph.
April 1956Tornado (F4)not stated5 hurt, $2,500,000no account filed
August 1989Thunderstorm Windnot stated2 hurtno account filed
March 2026Thunderstorm WindColumbus1 hurt, $25,000Thunderstorm winds caused the side of a house to blow in and collapse. There was one injury.
September 1959Tornado (F2)not stated1 hurt, $2,500no account filed
July 2014Thunderstorm WindTreece1 hurt, $1,000A cargo truck was blown over with one minor injury to the driver.
May 2011Thunderstorm WindGalena1 hurtA SUV was blown off the road at 7th and Chico Road.
May 2009Thunderstorm WindHallowell$5,000,000A National Weather Service storm survey revealed that damaging winds impacted nearly all of Cherokee County. Widespread damage occurred in the form of downed power poles, uprooted trees, damaged structures, and damaged crops. More specifically, there were several structures that experienced roof damage while windows were blown out of both homes and automobiles. A 1000 foot transmission tower was also knocked down that was built on top of the Cherokee County court house. The Columbus High School football facilities experienced significant damage. The press box was destroyed while several power poles that lit the field were snapped or blown down. One home near Crestline experienced major structural damage. This damage appeared to of occurred from a microburst that produced a concentrated area of 90 mph winds. In Weir, the rodeo grounds and concession stand were completely destroyed, while the bath house in Scammon lost its entire roof. Several campers were also flipped over and damaged at an RV dealership in Columbus.
April 1996Thunderstorm WindBaxter Spgs$5,000,000no account filed
April 2026Tornado (EF1)Hallowell$1,150,000A National Weather Service storm survey determined that an EF1 Tornado with estimated wind speeds of 105 mph touched down near the northeast portion of Hallowell before tracking 4.37 miles to the east. The tornado uprooted or snapped several trees, overturned several empty railcars, caused significant damaged to several grain bins, destroyed multiple outbuildings and snapped or broke numerous power poles and downed power lines. The tornado track ended approximately 1.25 miles east of Sherwin.
June 2007Flash FloodColumbus$1,150,000Another stationary band of heavy rain occurred on the night of June 11th and the morning of June 12th. In response, significant flooding occurred in all areas of the county. The Spring and Neosho rivers remained flooded, causing damage to homes and several road systems.
June 2007Flash FloodKniveton$1,000,000The Spring River along with smaller non-stem river and creek systems experienced major flooding across the entire county. Approximately 50 homes were flooded along the Spring River. Many of the homes that were flooded are located from Baxter Springs to Riverton. Across the western section of Cherokee County, the Neosho River along with its smaller tributaries experienced major flooding. Numerous roads and bridges in these areas were washed out or destroyed.
December 2015FloodBaxter Spgs$750,000There were numerous low water crossings and rural roads that were flooded. Several homes and businesses were flooded. There was significant to extreme flooding along Shoal Creek and the Spring River around Galena to Baxter Spring's. This storm report will contain the damage estimates for the entire county for this event.
April 2025Tornado (EF1)Lowell$500,000A NWS survey determined that an EF 1 tornado touched down near Empire Lake north of Galena, KS and tracked to the northeast before crossing into Missouri at the intersection of SE Turkey Creek Road and North State Line Avenue. Along its path in Cherokee County the tornado damaged hundreds of trees, knocked over power poles and lines and damaged multiple roofs.
December 2015FloodLowell$500,000Highway 166 and Highway 400 was closed due to flooding of the Spring River. Several roads and low water crossings were damaged from flood water.
May 2024Tornado (EF0)Melrose$300,000A NWS Survey team confirmed that an intermittent EF-0 tornado with maximum winds of 80 mph caused damage to multiple barns and numerous uprooted or snapped trees. This is an extension of a tornado out of Ottawa County, OK that occurred on the night of May 6.
October 1998Flash FloodCountywide$300,000no account filed
May 2020HailColumbus$250,000Hail to the size of golf balls fell in the towns of Columbus and Crestline. Roof and vehicle damage occurred along the path of hail.
July 2013Flash FloodScammon$250,000At least two homes in Scammon were flooded and evacuated.
May 1973Tornado (F2)not stated$250,000no account filed
April 2026Thunderstorm WindHallowell$200,000Multiple large trees were reported down with a few having fallen on homes causing minor to moderate damage to roofs and guttering.
October 2007Thunderstorm WindBaxter Spgs$200,000A National Weather Service storm survey revealed that residential sections of southern and eastern Baxter Springs were heavily damaged by straight line winds. Numerous large trees were blown over onto houses and parked vehicles. The Sonic resturant was heavily damaged along with the rodeo grounds.
September 2010Thunderstorm WindColumbus$175,000A portion of the Central Junior High School Gym roof was damaged by severe thunderstorm winds. This allowed rainfall to to enter the gym with nearly four inches of standing water accumulating on the gym floor.
April 2025Thunderstorm WindCrestline$150,000Strong straight line winds downed multiple trees and damaged of destroyed several outbuildings near Messer Road and 110th Street. Debris was spread across a large area.
July 2010Tornado (EF1)Melrose$125,000A National Weather Service storm survey team confirmed an EF-1 tornado touched down with estimated winds of 90 mph. The tornado tracked east southeast along a broken path approximately three miles in length with a maximum path width of 60 yards. The tornado uprooted and snapped several large trees, blew over two large grain bins, heavily damaged two well constructed out buildings, and damaged one home.
July 2013Flash FloodScammon$100,000There was three feet of water in a gas station just off of Highway 7 in Scammon and several people had to be rescued.
July 2004Thunderstorm WindColumbus$100,000A derecho caused major damage to areas of extreme southeast Kansas and southwest Missouri during the early morning hours of July 4th. In Cherokee County Kansas, golf ball size hail and winds in excess of 70 mph damaged many homes and farm structures countywide. One mobile home was completely destroyed as it rolled over several times while the storm passed. Occupants had moved into a storm shelter prior to the storm and no injuries occurred.
April 1998HailColumbus$100,000Hail, up to golf ball size, fell in the Columbus area accumulating to a depth of two inches. There was extensive car and roof damage, especially in the north part of town. Numerous reports of funnel clouds were received in the area, but no tornado touchdowns were confirmed.
April 1999Tornado (F1)Columbus$100,000no account filed
March 2025Thunderstorm WindBaxter Spgs$85,000Several buildings had roof damage in Baxter Springs along with numerous trees down. An 85 mph wind gust was measured at the fire station.
March 2025Thunderstorm WindGalena$80,000Numerous trees were uprooted and several roofs were taken off homes and a business in Galena, Kansas.
May 2020HailBaxter Spgs$80,000Baseball sized hail was reported 1 mile west of Baxter Springs. Damage occurred to a home , two vehicles and several head stones at a cemetery.
April 2025Thunderstorm WindGalena$75,000Multiple power poles and lines were reported down north of town.
June 1998Thunderstorm WindCountywide$75,000no account filed
May 2024Tornado (EF0)Sherwin$64,000A NWS survey team determined that a tornado touched down to the northwest of Columbus near the intersection of NW Center Star and NW 40th St, downing trees in a convergent to rotational manner as it tracked northeast. As the tornado neared NW 30th St, several outbuildings were damaged to destroyed, with another barn on NW Lawton Rd experiencing door damage on its southeast and east sides. The tornado then destroyed one barn and damaged another as it crossed NW Belleview Road before dissipating.
June 2005HailWeir$60,000no account filed
May 1997HailFaulkner$60,000no account filed
August 2024Thunderstorm WindMelrose$50,000Several metal buildings and barns were reported damaged or destroyed across the southwestern portion of Cherokee County.
May 2015Flash FloodFaulkner$50,000The Cherokee County Emergency Management Director estimated that nearly 30 roads were flooded and impassable due to heavy rainfall. This flooding was centered in the western third of the county.
February 2012Thunderstorm WindSherman$50,000Emergency management reported two barns destroyed and one with significant damage.
April 1994Thunderstorm WindWeir$50,000Golf ball-size hail fell at Weir. Also, strong thunderstorm winds caused $180,000 damage to farm buildings, structures, and equipment throughout Cherokee County.
May 2011HailColumbus$50,000no account filed
May 1999Flash FloodCountywide$50,000no account filed
August 2024Thunderstorm WindMelrose$35,000A barn was reported to be blown down.
May 2025Thunderstorm WindColumbus$32,000A tree fell down onto a house and a truck. Additionally, multiple powerlines and trees were down around town.
April 2026Thunderstorm WindColumbus$30,000Several power poles were reported broken with downed power lines and power outages.
April 2026Thunderstorm WindColumbus$25,000Several trees and power lines were reported down.
April 2026Thunderstorm WindCrestline$25,000Several power lines were reported down.
June 2021Thunderstorm WindColumbus$25,000Several large trees were downed by high winds across the city. Some minor roof and structural damage was reported.
May 2020HailBaxter Spgs$25,000Hail to the size of golf balls was reported by the Emergency Manager. Minor roof and vehicle damage occurred.
August 2019Thunderstorm WindColumbus$25,000A National Weather Service storm survey found evidence of 75 mph straight line winds causing some tree damage and minor structure damage west southwest of Columbus.
May 2019Tornado (EF1)Galena$25,000A National Weather Service storm survey determined that an EF-1 tornado with maximum winds of 100 mph touched down just west of the Missouri state line and traveled a half mile to the northeast before passing into Missouri. As it crossed the border the storm intensified to an EF3 with an estimated 140 mph winds. This tornado was produced by the supercell that spawned the Treece tornado and continued to produce funnel clouds very near the ground through Riverton and the north Galena area before the tornado touched down near Woodchuck Drive and caused roof damage to two homes and downed several trees as it crossed into Missouri along SE 118th Street.
October 2007Thunderstorm WindWest Mineral$25,000Straight line winds destroyed a barn along with downing power poles and numerous trees.
July 1996Thunderstorm WindColumbus$25,000no account filed
April 1982Tornado (F1)not stated$25,000no account filed
June 1977Tornado (F1)not stated$25,000no account filed
September 1973Tornado (F1)not stated$25,000no account filed
May 1961Tornado (F2)not stated$25,000no account filed

Mines and quarries

50 recorded

The Survey's mineral resources record lists 50 workings inside this county. 1 still produces and 49 are closed or unrecorded. Each settlement page carries the workings within five miles of it.

Commodity Workings
Lead, Zinc32
Zinc, Lead14
Zinc3
Clay1

The least common of them first, because a county's hundredth gravel pit says nothing its first ten did not.

Where SiteCommodity StatusRecorded
Weir Pit & PlantClayProducer
James Orr Chubb LandZincPast Producer1935
Stover TractZincPast Producer1935
Wade MineZincPast Producer1920, 1926
Clara Jane MineZinc, LeadPast Producer1920, 1925
Coffee EastZinc, LeadPast Producer1944
Connor-StoneZinc, LeadPast Producer1850, 1885
Eastern Lead and Zinc CompanyZinc, LeadPast Producer1915, 1920
EurekaZinc, LeadPast Producer1850, 1885
Galena District-Missouri-KansasZinc, LeadPast Producer1876
Garrett TractZinc, LeadPast Producer1930, 1932
John StoskopfZinc, LeadPast Producer1850, 1885
Kansouri and Chubb MineZinc, LeadPast Producer1920, 1925
North EmpireZinc, LeadPast Producer1850, 1885
PaxsonZinc, LeadPast ProducerUnderground
Peru Group MinesZinc, LeadPast Producer1930, 1932
R. L. Van TebraZinc, LeadPast Producer1944
Robinson MineZinc, LeadPast Producer1920, 1922
A. E. Van Tebra LandLead, ZincPast Producer1944
Baxter SpringsLead, ZincPast Producer
Bendelari MineLead, ZincPast Producer1919, 1921
Bendrum,Corbus and OthersLead, ZincPast Producer1850, 1885
Blue Diamond MineLead, ZincPast Producer1920, 1925
Blue Mound MineLead, ZincPast Producer1918, 1920
Brugger TractLead, ZincPast Producer1935
Burns TractLead, ZincProspect1947
Chubb-Stoskopf LeaseLead, ZincPast Producer1930, 1932
Coffee WestLead, ZincPast Producer1944
Correll-Owens TractLead, ZincPast Producer1935
Crestline and Badger - Peacock DistrictLead, ZincOccurrenceREPLACEMENT
Foley MineLead, ZincPast Producer1928, 1930
Fox MineLead, ZincPast Producer1920, 1922
GalenaLead, ZincPast Producer
Harris MineLead, ZincPast Producer1918, 1920
Hartley-Grantham TractLead, ZincPast Producer1930, 1932
Henshaw TractLead, ZincPast Producer1930, 1932
Kansas Line MineLead, ZincPast Producer1920
Karsher and StebbinsLead, ZincPast Producer1920, 1925
Lucky Ok MineLead, ZincPast Producer1930, 1932
Mcarthur-Sparlin MineLead, ZincPast Producer1920, 1926
Mid Continent MineLead, ZincPast Producer1920, 1922
MurphyLead, ZincPast Producer1850, 1885
Race Track MineLead, ZincPast Producer1920, 1925
Roper LeaseLead, ZincProspect1947
Sonny Boy MineLead, ZincPast Producer1930, 1932
SpiraLead, ZincPast Producer1850, 1885
UnknownLead, ZincPast Producer1885, 1944
VanettaLead, ZincPast Producer1944
W. H. SmithLead, ZincPast Producer1944
WindsorLead, ZincPast Producer1850, 1885

Every populated place in the county

45

Named settlements recorded in the Geographic Names Information System, each with the topographic sheets covering it. Villages, hamlets and abandoned places alike. Each is shown with the nearest named watercourse or landform and the survey quadrangle it falls on.

The vanished settlements of Cherokee County: the places named above that are no longer on the map.

Provenance

  • Topographic sheets. USGS Historical Topographic Map Collection, county index, measured from the bulk metadata.
  • Fire insurance maps. Library of Congress Sanborn collection, faceted to this county.
  • Photographs. Each place queried individually against the Library of Congress Prints and Photographs search.
  • Wildfire. Short, Karen C. 2022. Spatial wildfire occurrence data for the United States, 1992-2020 [FPA_FOD_20221014]. 6th Edition. Fort Collins, CO: Forest Service Research Data Archive. https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2013-0009.6 Collected with United States Government funding and usable without additional permissions or fees.
  • Mines and quarries. USGS Mineral Resources Data System (MRDS) https://mrdata.usgs.gov/mrds/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105.
  • Storms. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/stormevents/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105. Narratives are quoted verbatim from the National Weather Service report and are not edited or summarised.