Decatur County

Decatur County spreads across prairie land in northwestern Kansas and is governed from Oberlin as its administrative center. The territory includes several small communities and routes that link it to neighboring counties.

The county was officially established on March 20, 1873, and named after Stephen Decatur, an American naval officer from the Barbary Wars. The region experienced significant confrontations with Native Americans in its early years.

The Decatur County Last Indian Raid Museum in Oberlin preserves artifacts and documents from the final Native American raid in Kansas during 1878. The museum tells the story of a pivotal moment in the region's past through its collections.

The area is crossed by several roads that enable movement and create connections to neighboring counties like Red Willow County to the north and Norton County to the east. Visitors should prepare with a map, as distances between locations can be substantial.

The Bank of Oberlin, built in 1886, is a registered historic structure that reflects the financial development of this territory. The building displays architectural styles that were popular in this frontier region during that time.

Location: Kansas

Inception: March 20, 1873

Capital city: Oberlin

Elevation above the sea: 814 m

Shares border with: Red Willow County, Sheridan County, Furnas County, Norton County, Thomas County, Rawlins County

Website: http://oberlinks.com

GPS coordinates: 39.80000,-100.46700

Latest update: December 10, 2025 16:03