Rawlins County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat and largest city is Atwood. As of the 2020 census, the county population was 2,561. It was named after John Rawlins, a general in the American Civil War.
History
Early history
For many millennia, the Great Plains of North America were inhabited by nomadic Native Americans. From the 16th century to 18th century, the Kingdom of France claimed ownership of large parts of North America. In 1762, after the French and Indian War, France secretly ceded New France to Spain, per the Treaty of Fontainebleau.
19th century
In 1802, Spain returned most of the land to France, but keeping title to about 7,500 square miles. In 1803, most of the land for modern day Kansas was acquired by the United States from France as part of the 828,000 square mile Louisiana Purchase for 2.83 cents per acre.
In 1854, the Kansas Territory was organized, then in 1861 Kansas became the 34th U.S. state. In 1873, Rawlins County was established.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and (0.1%) is water.
Major highways
- 20px U.S. Highway 36
- 20px Kansas Highway 25
- 20px Kansas Highway 117
Adjacent counties
- Hitchcock County, Nebraska (north)
- Red Willow County, Nebraska (northeast)
- Decatur County (east)
- Thomas County (south)
- Sherman County (southwest/Mountain Time border)
- Cheyenne County (west)
- Dundy County, Nebraska (northwest/Mountain Time border)