Girard, Kansas

Girard, Kansas

The first and only other county seat of Crawford was located approximately 5 miles west of present day Girard. This settlement, established February 13, 1867, when the county was founded, and named Crawfordsville (after Samuel J. Crawford, then governor of Kansas). Crawfordsville was located on Lightning Creek.

Disputes over the location of the county seat arose early in 1968. Dr. Charles H. Strong from Crawfordsville set out to find the geographical center of the 592 square miles comprising Crawford County. He named the new town Girard, after his home town in Pennsylvania.

Girard still stands as the county seat today. The courthouse in the center of the square, built in 1922, is the third structure to house the county affairs. At the Veteran's Memorial you will see one of the world's largest American flags.

Girard also has claim to an integral part in the history of the United States socialism. J.A. Wayland, founder of the "Appeal to Reason," printed his socialist newspaper in Girard. Every prominent name in socialism from Eugene V. Debs and Clarence Darrow to Kate Richards O'Hare and Mother Jones spent time in Crawford County. Girard was also the home of the printing of the famous "Little Blue Books" by Haldeman-Julius. Hundreds of thousands of all these publications originated from Girard and were distributed nationwide and known worldwide.

Today, Girard has grown to a prosperous community of over 3,000. the town includes more than 30 local cultural, civic, and interest groups to interest all ages and backgrounds - from Scouting to the Senior Center. community leaders are taking major steps today to accommodate the needs of the young and the old in projects like the Family Resource Center and Assisted Living Complex.



Crawford County has 3,597 acres of walk-in hunting.


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Attractions near Girard, Kansas

Industrial Tours

Make arrangements to tour one of Ulysses' industries while you are enjoying your stay. Below are the names and numbers of bus...

Park Hills Golf & Supper Club

Course Access: PrivateHoles: 18Reserve Advance Tee Times: Yes...

City Parks
City Parks

There are three parks within the city limits, with City Park located at Third and Main. This is the largest park with ...

Historic Homes Tour
Historic Homes Tour

Discover Chanute's rich historical heritage. Explore tree-lined streets made of hand-laid brick and note the architectural a...

Oddfellows Lodge

Stop and relax at Oddfellows Lodge with indoor swimming, racquetball, and basketball. ...

Carnegie Library
Carnegie Library

The Lyndon Carnegie Library is believed to be one of the smallest Carnegie Libraries in the United States. Erected in 1910 fr...

Jensen/Dahl/Wade Home

The Jensen/Dahl/Wade home in Denmark, Kansas, is a late 1800's limestone home furnished with turn-of-the-century pieces and h...

Deer Trace Golf Course

An eighteen-hole facility including driving range. In addition to school athletics, children are offered activities such a...

109 Historical Sites Driving Tours
109 Historical Sites Driving Tours

Explore Eureka and Greenwood County through its Driving Tour that visits 109 historical sites. Find Stone Houses, bridges, sc...

Canyon Drive
Canyon Drive

Russell County offers the traveler some of the most breathtaking views and vistas to be found in Kansas. The following is a s...

Upcoming Events near Girard, Kansas

Arma, Kansas Annual V-J Homecoming Celebration

Start Date: Fri August, 16th
Arma puts its own twist on its annual homecoming celebration by paying tribute to those who serve our country. Arma is home t...

LeRoy Homecoming

Start Date: Fri August, 23rd
LeRoy's official town celebration includes fun events for the young and young hearted. Events begin Friday evening with the h...

This is the largest Festival in Southeast Kansas. Labor Day weekend brings the celebration of the coal mining heritage back to life. The entire city of Pittsburg is filled with over 40,000 people celebrating the mixture of heritages and lifestyles. Activities throughout the city include golf tournaments, bocci, horseshoes, softball and volleyball tournaments, a vintage car display, 3 on 3 basketball ball tourney, Doo Dah Parade, and live Polka music for the evening street dance. Lincoln Park hosts a state sanctioned Chili Cook-off. Arts and craft booths fill the park along with ethnic food booths, allowing you to sample some mouth watering foods of the past. The Memorial Audorium is the place to be for
Little Balkans Days and PAACA Folklife Festival

Start Date: Fri August, 30th
This is the largest Festival in Southeast Kansas. Labor Day weekend brings the celebration of the coal mining heritage back t...

Coffeyville's Inter-State Fair & Rodeo is the largest event of its kind in Southeast Kansas. It features top name country music concerts, a demolition derby, carnival, and three nights of PRCA rodeo in addition to a wide variety of livestock and fair exhibits, commercial exhibits, food and many other activities.
Coffeyville Inter-State Fair & Rodeo

Start Date: Fri August, 9th
Coffeyville's Inter-State Fair & Rodeo is the largest event of its kind in Southeast Kansas. It features top name country mus...

The Four State Farm Show

Start Date: Fri July, 19th
A giant city rises from the plains for three days on the third weekend in July. Over 700 booths and displays showcase all of ...

WildBlue BBQ & Expo

Start Date: Fri July, 19th
KCBS sanctioned BBQ competition, community BBQ, craft fair, live entertainment, kids petal tractor pull competition and much ...

Montgomery County 4-H Fair

Start Date: Fri July, 26th
Bring the whole family for a great day of fun and excitement. The 4H exhibits are wonderful, and a pleasure to see what the k...

Allen County Fair & Rodeo

Start Date: Fri July, 26th
The first week in August is the Annual Allen County Fair and Rodeo. One of the best fairs and rodeos in Kansas, it is showcas...

IPRA - JCRA Rodeo

Start Date: Fri July, 5th
...

Jock's Nitch Softball Classic

Start Date: Fri June, 14th
The largest tournament in the Midwest. USSSA Sanctioned. Over 130 teams from the four-state area, take to ball fields in Pitt...

Girard Map

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