Portis

History

The first settlement at Portis was made in 1871. In that year a trading post was established at the site. In 1879, the town was platted with the name of Bethany. The Central Branch Railroad routed through the city and built a station. Later, the railroad was sold to the Missouri Pacific Railroad, becoming the second "Bethany" on their railroad system. To prevent conflicts with Bethany, Missouri, it was decided to change the name of this station. The name was changed to Portis, in honor of the Vice-President of the Missouri Pacific, Thomas Jefferson Portis (born in 1827).

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all land. Portis is located on the north fork of the Solomon River.

Most-observed species

• Mourning Dove

  Zenaida macroura (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  155
• Red-winged Blackbird

  Agelaius phoeniceus (Linnaeus, 1766) · Aves
  125
• European Starling

  Sturnus vulgaris Linnaeus, 1758 · Aves
  104
• Red-tailed Hawk

  Buteo jamaicensis (Gmelin, 1788) · Aves
  77
• American Robin

  Turdus migratorius Linnaeus, 1766 · Aves
  73
• Western Meadowlark

  Sturnella neglecta Audubon, 1844 · Aves
  69
• Ring-necked Pheasant

  Phasianus colchicus Linnaeus, 1758 · Aves
  69
• House Sparrow

  Passer domesticus (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  68

Most recent

• M 2.5 — 2026-06-16
  9 km SW of Natoma, Kansas
• M 2.9 — 2026-05-11
  7 km E of Cowles, Nebraska
• M 2.8 — 2026-05-09
  4 km ESE of Cowles, Nebraska
• M 2.5 — 2026-03-12
  6 km ESE of Cowles, Nebraska
• M 2.6 — 2026-03-02
  8 km N of Guide Rock, Nebraska
• M 2.6 — 2026-03-01
  9 km E of Cowles, Nebraska