Hutchinson, Kansas History

Hutchinson, seat of Reno County, was platted in November 1871, and the streets were laid out on both sides of Cow Creek. Since stones weren't available to mark off the streets, they used buffalo bones.

August 15, 1872 Hutchinson was incorporated as a city of the third class.

1872 The Santa Fe Railroad arrived.

1873 The first sidewalk in Hutchinson was a wooden one from the courthouse to a railroad depot.

1879 Hutchinson, already a well established city.

In 1887, while drilling a well, Sam Blanchard struck salt at 300 feet. Hutchinson has been built on top of one of the world's greatest salt deposits.

1888 Almost a dozen salt plants were in operation.

1961 The world's largest and longest wheat elevator is located here at the largest primary hard wheat market in our nation.

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