Salina

Salina is a regional commerce hub in Saline County, Kansas, covering 25.74 square miles (66.67 square kilometers) at the junction of the Smoky Hill and Saline Rivers. The settlement spreads across both riverbanks and includes residential neighborhoods, commercial districts, and wide agricultural tracts on the outskirts.

Journalist William A. Phillips founded the settlement in 1858 as the westernmost point on the Smoky Hill Trail during territorial times. In the following decades, the town grew through railway connections and agriculture into a supply center for surrounding farms.

The city takes its name from the Saline River, which flows through the region and attracted early settlers to its banks. Today, parks and trails along the river connect neighborhoods to downtown and invite walking and recreation.

The town sits at the junction of Interstate 70 and Interstate 135, providing quick connections in all directions. Downtown is easiest to reach via the main exits, and parking is generally available along the central streets.

The opening of Lee Jeans' first garment factory in 1889 transformed the settlement into a production site for workwear. For decades, the textile industry shaped the local economy and drew workers from across the region.

Location: Saline County

Inception: 1858

Elevation above the sea: 373 m

Website: https://salina-ks.gov

GPS coordinates: 38.82420,-97.60720

Latest update: December 13, 2025 15:42