Claflin

History

Prior to American expansion and occupation, the region was controlled by Cheyenne, Pawnee, and Kiowa tribes. The Santa Fe Trail contributed to American settlement in Barton County, as it did throughout Kansas and much of the southern Great Plains. The first settlement claim recorded in the area of Claflin was made by George Platt in 1870. This claim was divided and re-entered, eventually being sold to J. H. Williamson in 1875, Tracks were laid by 1887. The station, on the south side of the tracks, was originally named Giles City after landowner Stelle Giles. son of Stella Giles, did not sell the 40 acres desired by the town company for building a town on the south side of the tracks. The Claflin Town Company, with Stelle Giles as president, filed the townsite with the Barton County Register of Deeds on March 31, 1887. who built and operated the S. S. Chatten Lumber Company. Other early residents include: Mel Cummings, railroad agent; George Norris; J. H. Cannon, store owner, banker, undertaker; M. C. Elmore, hardware store owner; Cas Dermitt, cafe owner; A. A. German, elevator operator; Charles Bucker, blacksmith; Charles Vert, publisher of the Claflin Clarion. The city was incorporated by order of the Barton County Commissioners on July 18, 1901, and the first election was held on August 2, 1901.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all land.

Race & ethnicity

Largest nearby schools

• Central Plains Jr. Sr. High School
  High · Claflin · 140 students · 11.7:1 ratio