LIVING IN COTTONWOOD FALLS
The 1st settlement in the area of Cottonwood Falls was in 1854 when an Indian trader named Seth Hays founded a cattle ranch on the Cottonwood River close to the mouth of the Diamond Spring Creek. The area around the town was organized as Chase County in 1859, and Cottonwood Falls was designated the temporary county seat.
North of Cottonwood Falls is the Cottonwood Falls bridge and dam. The 1st dam at this site was constructed of cottonwood logs in 1860, which provided water power for a saw and grist mill. In 1906 the dam was expanded and used to generate electricity. The present dam is constructed from cut limestone, which was later covered with concrete.
​The first major bridge at Cottonwood Falls was a 150-foot-long iron truss bridge constructed in 1872. The present bridge was constructed in 1914 by the Missouri Valley Bridge Company of Leavenworth, Kansas. It is one of only three remaining reinforced masonry, earth-filled arch bridges that were designed by Daniel B. Luten and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places today. The 1st post office in Cottonwood Falls was established in 1858.
In 1872, the city’s French Renaissance-style Chase County Courthouse, which sits at the head of Broadway, was built; at roughly the same time, the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railway reached the Cottonwood Falls area. Through the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the area around the city was mainly divided into farms and cattle ranches. Today, the city of Cottonwood Falls is a third-class city with a population of 874 residents. While Broadway is but 3 blocks long, it is home to art galleries, boutiques, antique stores, museums, and restaurants. Broadway St. ends at the beautiful historic stone bridge, the site of the annual River Suite. It lies just 2 blocks to the West of KS Hwy 177, which is also known as the Flint Hills Scenic Byway, one of the Eight Wonders of Kansas
Shopping in Cottonwood Falls...
Lodging in Cottonwood Falls...
Camping & RV Parking in Cottonwood Falls...
Bates Grove Park... Located north of the Historic Cottonwood River Bridge. Tent camping is free; utilities are limited to portable restrooms only.
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Swope Park... There are five campsites available in the park. The sites are first come, tent and RV campers are welcome– first serve, water & electric hookups costing $15 a night. Restrooms and showers are available as well as dump sites.
Churches in Cottonwood Falls...
More Businesses in Cottonwood Falls...
Community Support in Cottonwood Falls...
Chase County Courthouse...
All offices (except the County Extension Agent) are located in the Chase County Courthouse. Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 am – 5 pm
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District Court... 620-273-6319
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County Clerk... 620-273-6423
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County Engineer... 620-273-6386
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Register of Deeds... 620-273-6398
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County Treasurer... 620-273-6493
County Extension Agent
205 Broadway St. Cottonwood Falls, KS 66845
620-273-6491
Move to Cottonwood Falls...
See our Moving to Chase County page for more information about Jobs, Realtors, Churches, Schools, etc.
Utilities...
Electric...
Evergy
http://www.evergy.com
800-544-4857 ... Power Outage Reporting
800-383-1183 ... Residential/Business
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Flint Hills Rural Electric Cooperative
http://www.flinthillsrec.com
620-767-5144 ... Residential/Business
Gas...
Atmos Energy
http://www.atmosenergy.com
888-286-6700
800-322-8667 ... Gas Emergency
Internet & Telephone...
Ideatek Telcom
http:/www.ideatek.com
855-433-2835
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AT&T
464-7928 ... Residential
800-499-7928 ... Business
Water...
City of Cottonwood Falls
220 Broadway
Cottonwood Falls, KS 66845
620-273-6666
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City of Strong City
420 E 4th St. (PO Box 208)
Strong City, KS 66869
620-273-6345
Cable...
Sparklight
https://www.sparklight.com/sparklighttv
877-687-1332
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Direct TV
https://www.directv.com
855-678-2754
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Dish TV
https://www.satellitesolutions.com
877-894-7575