The Finney County Convention and Tourism Bureau welcomes you to southwest Kansas! We are proud of our history, delighted with our present, and look forward to a bright future! We hope you enjoy your stay in Finney County, whether it's for business or fun. There's always something going on in Garden City and Holcomb.
We are Located
We're easy to get to! Accessible from U.S. 83 (North and South), Highway 50/400 (East and West) and KS 156 from the east. Take time to explore our area by venturing off the interstate!
Transportation
GARDEN CITY DEPOT
112 Depot Street, 275-9533 - station information only
RAIL:
Amtrak - morning departure/evening arrival, for reservations/schedule call, 800-872-7245
GARDEN CITY REGIONAL AIRPORT-located 7 miles east of Garden City on Hwy. 50
Flights arriving/departing for Kansas City and Denver several times a day
USAIR EXPRESS
| Reservations | 800-428-4322 |
| Arrivals | 620-276-8216 or 800-943-5436 |
GREAT LAKES AIRLINES, LTD
| Garden City Regional Airport | |
| Reservations | 800-554-5111 |
| Arrivals | 620-271-0855 |
Quick Facts
| County Population: | 40,500 | |
| Elevation: | 2,890 | |
| Average Temperature: | ||
| January | 31* | |
| April | 55* | |
| July | 80* | |
| October | 57* | |
| Annual Precipitation | 19 inches (avg.) | |
| Annual Snowfall | 23 inches (avg.) | |
History
Garden City - the Jewel of Southwest Kansas!
The founding fathers of Garden City, W.D. and J.R. Fulton, J.A. Stevens, C.J. Jones and several others had a vision in the late 1870s to turn this part of the "Great American Desert" into a town that would last. The first years of this young town's history are full of names and events that prove people were industrious, imaginative and resourceful. By 1883, trainloads of Easterners were coming out to lay claim on this fertile river bottomland, lured by land speculators and their own dreams of being a part of the Western expansion. The population soared to over 6,000 during those boom years from 1885 to 1888. Many of the people lived in tents, dugouts or covered wagons waiting for houses to be built. Not all of those who came stayed. Those who stayed kept the town going. Through the growth of the Sugar Beet Industry, the War Years, the development of irrigation and the expanding cattle industry, many hearty souls have brought their ideas, work ethic and families to grow and prosper. Finney County continues to welcome newcomers and looks forward to new growth and prosperity in the 21st century.
The Naming of Garden City
Mrs. Fulton, wife of a town founder, William Fulton, was watering her garden one day when a gentleman jumped off the train and inquired about the name of the new community. She replied that people were referring to the little village as "Fulton Town" but she wasn't too enthusiastic about the name. He looked upon her beautiful garden and said, "Why don't you name it Garden City?" The new name was met with favor and adopted by the residents, but Garden City will never know the identity of the traveling gentleman who gave the town its name!
All Photos Courtesy of:
Finney County Historical Society
Garden City Telegram
Harold Schuster