Last updated: January 16, 2023
Place
McPherson Kansas, the Santa Fe Trail
Photo/Linda Colle
Quick Facts
Location:
Nestled in the heart of central Kansas southwest of Salina.
Significance:
City on the Santa Fe Trail.
MANAGED BY:
McPherson (pronounced Mc-fur-son) is a city located on the Santa Fe Trail in central Kansas. Named after Union Civil War General James Birdseye McPherson, the city of McPherson was founded in 1872 towards the end of the Trail’s use. In 1879 the Santa Fe and Union Pacific Railroads arrived in McPherson, effectively replacing the Santa Fe Trail.
McPherson County struck oil in the late 1920s, aiding the during the Great Depression. After World War II, community leaders created an industrial base in the city. McPherson has developed into one of the most industrialized small communities in the US. McPherson is also one of the top agricultural centers of Kansas.
Today, McPherson has much to offer visitors. The city boasts museums, parks, art galleries, and more. It is also home to two buildings on the National Register of Historic Places (the McPherson Opera House and County Courthouse). Nearby, at the Maxwell Wildlife Refuge, you can find one of the few surviving wild bison herds.
Site Information
Location (Nestled in the heart of central Kansas southwest of Salina.)